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Data is more valuable than ever – which means, more than ever, it needs to be protected. From the rise of open banking, which enables people to share their financial data to access more choice and better experiences, to the growing desire of companies across industries to harness data to make smarter decisions and create new revenue streams, data security is key. In the latest episode of “What’s Next In,” Mastercard’s podcast that informally explores technology, innovation and ideas, host Vicki Hyman discusses the evolution of privacy-enhancing technologies with Bob Schukai, Mastercard’s executive vice president for Technology Development, Global Open Banking, and Ellison Anne Williams, the founder and CEO of Enveil, the cybersecurity startup that uses homomorphic encryption to secure data while it’s being used to allow companies to innovate while protecting and respecting individual privacy. “Privacy-enhancing technologies enable a decentralized form of data usage, collaboration and monetization to be possible,” Williams says. “These technologies leave the data at the point of origination and enable usage of that data in a secure and private way without having to move or replicate it.” Mastercard’s privacy by design principles ensure that privacy safeguards are built into the design and creation of everything the company does, Schukai says. “We believe that your personal information is just that, it’s personal and we try to take great care to ensure it stays that way.” To hear more from Schukai and Anne, click play and enjoy!

Susan Warner and Abena Danso-Manu both developed a love for STEM from their mothers. Danso-Manu’s mother, a statistics professor in Ghana, and Warner’s mother, a self-taught bookkeeper, sparked a flame in their daughters that eventually connected them years later through Girls4Tech, the award-winning STEM education program that Warner founded in 2014. In the latest episode of “What’s Next In,” Mastercard’s podcast that informally explores technology, innovation and ideas, host Vicki Hyman sits down with Danso-Manu and Warner to discuss G4T, which has now reached more than 2 million girls in 50 countries. The original goal was to engage our employees as role models and mentors in the subjects they’re most passionate about -- these can range from cryptology and algorithms to fraud detection, biometrics and Big Data. Danso-Manu recently spearheaded the first Girls4Tech program in West Africa, mentoring girls in her home country of Ghana, to reach, she says, another “little Abena.” During the conversation, they detail the importance of female representation and perspectives, their personal journeys, and the visible impact of the program.

In the first episode our rebooted podcast, host Vicki Hyman chats with Fonta Gilliam of Wellthi and Dennis Cail of Zirtue in honor of Black History Month. They are both part of Mastercard's Start Path programming dedicated to supporting minority-owned startups that further efforts to close the racial wealth and opportunity gap. Gilliam founded Wellthi, an app and white-label solution for financial institutions that modernize the concept of savings circles, enabling family and friends to encourage one another to reach their savings goals. Cail is the co-founder and CEO of Zirtue, a leading relationship-based lending app with a mission to drive financial inclusion. Recently, Zirtue launched a debit Mastercard card for the unbanked and underbanked, potentially removing financial barriers for millions of American families. They discuss their mission to bring more financial security to underserved communities, the challenges Black fintech founders face and the worst advice they’ve ever received.  

For most people, the word franchise may conjure up an image of their favorite fast food outlet. But what it really mean? It means people know what to expect when they stop for a meal and can trust the franchise to deliver that experience. Mastercard’s franchise model is no different (OK, hold the fries). Franchise creates, manages and maintains the Mastercard business model, setting the standards for our customers to create the common, consistent payment experience across the world – and, increasingly, so much more. On the latest episode of "What's Next In," we chat with Chief Franchise Officer Paul Petta,  who explains why franchise is so important to our business strategy and key to the company’s growth beyond payments – from how we engage with fintechs to accepting new payment types to ways we can lend our expertise and technology to completely new areas, such as digital identity. Hear from Petta about how he and his team not only tackle growing the existing Mastercard ecosystem but identify new opportunities for growth. We'll also learn about one of his personal passions and who'll play him in his biopic (hint: he lives in the John Hughes universe).

What comes with three billion cards with 90 billion transactions a year at roughly 70 million merchants in 210 countries and territories? Data. A ton if it.   On the latest episode of our podcast “What’s Next In,” Raj Seshadri, president, Data and Services, explains how Mastercard helps empower its customers with faster, better business decisions, all based on the company's real-time transaction data and proprietary analysis. Hosted by Arthur Baker, each episode of “What’s Next In” informally explores big ideas and trends in the world of payments technology and beyond. In this episode, Seshadri and Baker chatted about her early aspirations of being a doctor, implications of doing business in a data-driven world and how a company like Mastercard can build better outcomes for not only customers but communities. 

From 5G to blockchain to quantum computing and more, emerging technologies have the potential to transform almost every aspect of our lives. Ken Moore, Mastercard’s chief innovation officer, is behind the company’s efforts to harness them in new ways, modernizing payments and transforming transactions. On the latest episode of "What's Next In," Moore shares his thoughts on Mastercard's approach to innovation, risk-taking and collaboration. He discusses which emerging tech excites him the most, including the hot topic from CES this year, 5G: “It's ten times faster, responds ten times quicker and can support 300 times more simultaneously-connected products," he says.  Hosted by Arthur Baker, each episode of "What's Next In" informally explores big ideas and trends in the world of payments technology and beyond. Hear from Moore about how Mastercard accelerates emerging ideas to create more meaningful digital experiences in everything from 5G to blockchain to quantum computing and artificial intelligence. 

How a city looks is often different than how it functions, with even the most diverse and cosmopolitan urban centers struggling to bring the growth and extend the benefits of the digital economy to all of its citizens. On the latest episode of “What’s Next In,” Miguel Gamiño Jr., head of Global Cities and City Possible at Mastercard, discusses how his career in information and technology has spanned the continent and why a city only works if it works for everyone. But don't jus think of them as 'smart cities.' Before COVID-19, he says, “the digitization of public services and advancement of these quote-unquote smart cities concepts were a ‘nice to have.’ COVID all of a sudden made that a health concern, sometimes a life safety concern … All of sudden, resources can get reprioritized when you’re talking about those kinds of consequences of not acting.” 

There was once a time when sustainability meant environmental causes. These days, though, it's much more than that. And for Mastercard it's all about being a force for good and harnessing decency. Earlier this year, Mastercard reached its goal of bringing 500 million people into the financial system. They almost immediately doubled the commitment to connect 1 billion people to the digital economy and 50 million small businesses by 2025. And in the midst of the global pandemic, the company quickly mobilized the full strength of its resources – technology, people, funding - to help not only their customers but communities around the world to recover. Fresh off the heels of releasing Mastercard's annual Sustainability Report, it seems more than apropos that Chief Sustainability Officer Kristina Kloberdanz appears on the latest episode of "What's Next In." Hosted by Arthur Baker, each episode of “What’s Next In” informally explores big ideas and trends in the world of payments technology and beyond. In their engaging discussion Kloberdanz explains the roadmap to tapping our people and our networks to build a more equitable society. She also discusses her early days at IBM (as a client rep), what it meant to be Mastercard's first sustainability officer, the road ahead and her early career as a ballerina for such prestigious Balanchine companies as The New York ballet and San Francisco Ballet.

Small business, in a real sense, is big business — it has been the engine for the global economy and has the potential to power our recovery and growth. On the latest episode of “What’s Next In,” James Anderson, executive vice president, Global Commercial Products for Mastercard, tells us how the company is helping small businesses embrace digitization and harness the power of data insights. Small businesses provide a lot of the diversity and variety in any capitalist society, Anderson says, and there is an interesting alignment between what Mastercard is doing for small businesses and the way governments think about them. In this episode, Anderson and Baker chatted about the accelerated adoption of contactless payments, particularly in the United States; Anderson’s propensity to collect unreliable British sportscars and the renowned cricket player with whom he shares the same moniker. “I am English but I actually don’t follow cricket. From what I hear, he’s pretty good...”

In times like these, it's vital for businesses to be close to customers -- not so much in the physical sense but in touch with what they need, how they feel, and perhaps most important, how they can deliver goods and services. Because of this, we see no better time for us to chat with Mastercard’s Chief Experience Officer Donald Chesnut who appeared on the latest episode of our podcast "What's Next In." Chesnut chats about the strides and efforts Mastercard has made in enhancing customer experience, how his background in dramatic literature helps his job and an even an examination of the quote, "The experience of the product is bigger than the product itself..."  He  also tackled the subject of small businesses and the hardships they're currently facing in this global pandemic.

The employees of any large company are bound to have differences in  age, gender, ethnicity, family status, background as well as the hundreds of other details that make us unique. For the company to succeed, employees across the board must work together as a team and toward a common goal. But how? To answer that question, we're joined by Mastercard’s Chief Inclusion Officer Randall Tucker. The conversation, hosted by Arthur Baker, explores the different ways that we can create the right environment for people to exceed expectations and excel while having the opportunity to reach their greatest potential together. Don't miss out on this must-listen – especially to hear what profession Randall would have pursued in another life.

Of late, data has become a topic that's often front and center in many a news cycle. In this hyperconnected world, it's no secret that we've all become perpetual streams of data with every view, download, purchase, tap, click and swipe. The result of all these data points? The perfect virtual picture of both our professional and personal lives.  Because of this, we see no better time for us to chat with Mastercard's Chief Data Officer JoAnn Stonier. The conversation explores the essential role data plays in our business and our responsibility and commitment as a company to use that data in ways that are legal, ethical and in the best interest of our customers.  ​In her conversation with host Arthur Baker, JoAnn also explains how she approaches her role as well as lend some tips to how we can best secure data in our personal lives. It's a fascinating discussion and a must-listen for just about everyone on the planet with a smartphone, smart tv, connected car or smart speaker. 

What's one constant in life? Simple. It's Change. In these ever-evolving digital times, change comes fast and furious. In fact, when it's so transformative that it alters the way we conduct our day-to-day life, change quickly morphs into disruption.  And yup, disruption is the key to progress. Without disruption, there'd be no iPhone, no Google or Facebook, no Amazon, no Tesla and yes, no Mastercard.  Because of this, we see no better time for us to chat with Chief Product Officer Michael Miebach on the latest episode of "What’s Next In." From the concept of fintech disruption to the risk and opportunity often associated with it, host Arthur Baker and co-host Emily Stepper discuss the evolving landscape that allows our company to be at the forefront to serve an increasingly-digital consumer. It's a must-listen... 

Life as we know it has changed. A lot. Thanks to achievements in innovation and technology, we live in a world that is digital by design. Those ones and zeroes help us reshape how we work, learn, consume media and shop. Digital life even dictates how we interact with each other. Because of this, we see no better time for us to chat with Jorn Lambert, executive vice president, Digital Solutions on the latest episode of ‘What’s Next In.’ So what's he chatting about with host Arthur Baker and co-host Parks Daniel? They dive into some of the products, partnerships and possibilities that allow Mastercard  to serve an increasing digital consumer. But what about the fun stuff? We also find out what unlikely subject Jorn studied in Rome and what his dream career would be. Super cool stuff.

When we talk about a company’s legacy, there’s sometimes a tendency to think about the past. In our digital landscape, though, a legacy is something that very much lives with the decisions we make in the here and now. Because of this, we see no better time for us to chat with Vice Chairman Ann Cairns on the latest episode of ‘What’s Next In’ about some of the foundational topics that are shaping Mastercard’s legacy. In this episode, Ann dives into the impact technology can have on our world regarding change, progression and evolution. She also speaks about the many opportunities we have to make a lasting impact on the fintech business. From her exciting time working on an oil rig to her stint at Lehman Brothers, she also chats about her approach to risk and how a company can ensure they’re making good decisions. But what about the fun stuff? We find out what actress may play Ann in her biography and in what famous American city was she living during the filming of an iconic ‘80s teen comedy. Hint: It was windy.

It’s been a pretty exciting year at Mastercard. In January, the payments giant became a symbol brand. In early February, they unveiled the sound of Mastercard, a comprehensive sonic brand architecture that will become the audio cue for many of their  interactions with customers. In this special episode, host Arthur Baker gives the audience a brief background on why the new sonic brand identity is every bit as important as the company’s iconic interlocking circles. The new sonic brand is the culmination of years of hard work not to mention the involvement of leading creatives and musicians from around the world and a multitude of cultures. Take a listen now to what Mastercard sounds like...

Even though Mastercard positions itself as a market leader and a driver for change, there’s always a portion of the population that's somewhat leery of big business. Because of this, there’s perhaps no better time for us to chat with Tim Murphy on the latest episode of ‘What’s Next In’ on how the payments company maintains its reputation. The general counsel dives into how Mastercard navigates business and presents itself during sweeping waves of nationalism and what connection he sees between innovation and risk. He also discusses Mastercard’s approach to social work and how - in an increasingly divided world - Mastercard makes inclusive growth a truly integral part of  business. Grab some java and tune in for a great conversation...

In order to be a successful payments and technology company, Mastercard continuously seeks out new partnerships that will not only enhance business but improve people’s lives. And as a company who has multiple partnerships around the world, who better to explain the very nature of those relationships than Carlos Menendez, president of Enterprise Partnerships at Mastercard. He describes everything from the necessary ingredients for achieving a successful partnership to how they can be truly innovative. In a world where we’re increasingly dependent on technology, Carlos also talks about the importance of human connection within partnerships and shares what themes or trends will have the most impact in the future. Most important, he addresses how the company can continue to do well by doing good through connecting ourselves and other.

Mastercard’s history has always been closely tied with inclusive growth and being the UN General Assembly is in its 73rd session, what better way to recognize the event than having EVP of Sustainability Shamina Singh speak about financial inclusion? From the origins of how the Mastercard Foundation was created to how the company utilizes their network for financial inclusion, the casual chat is a must-listen conversation for anyone interested in how technology can help decrease poverty.

Whether they're advising a metropolis across the globe on how to become a smart city or evolving their iconic marketing campaign, Mastercard has long been a company where innovators thrive. And no one knows this better than Deb Barta, senior vice president of Innovation Channel Management and Startup Engagement. From hearing about how she spots ingenuity in raw talent to juggling both sides of our brain during innovation, this is the perfect chat either for technofiles or those climbing the corporate ladder.