Ethiopian-born and seasoned tech leader to take the helm of one of the world’s largest Foundations – come January 2026.
The Mastercard Foundation has found its next leader. After a lengthy global search, the organisation has announced that Sewit Ahderom, who has deep roots in Africa, will become its President and CEO on 1st January, 2026.
She will lead the Mastercard Foundation, whose mission is “a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper” and holds more than $53 billion in assets, making the Foundation one of the largest and most impactful philanthropies in the world.
Ahderom succeeds Reeta Roy, who has led the Foundation for 18 years and will remain in her role through 2025 to ensure a smooth transition. The two leaders will work closely together over the coming months as the Foundation prepares for its next chapter.
According to a statement from the Foundation, Ahderom is a seasoned technology leader with extensive experience in developed and emerging markets. She has most recently been advising on initiatives that apply emerging technologies to expand learning for displaced communities, and guiding organisations on the effective adoption of AI to address critical humanitarian challenges.
Substantial experience
Born in Ethiopia, Ahderom holds an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from Columbia University. She has spent the past two years serving on the Foundation’s board of directors. According to the statement, the Mastercard Foundation Board’s search focused on finding a leader who embodies the Foundation’s values, brings a global perspective, and has substantial experience working in Africa, along with the vision to scale the organisation’s impact across the continent and within Indigenous communities in Canada. “Her career journey reflects a unique convergence of global finance, African investment, and technology entrepreneurship,” it states.
And indeed, if her resume is one to go by, Ahderom brings a unique blend of expertise to the role. Most recently, she’s been advising on initiatives that apply emerging technologies to expand learning for displaced communities and guiding organizations on the effective adoption of AI to address critical humanitarian challenges.
She was also the co-founder of Gro Intelligence, a data and analytics platform that delivered insights on agriculture, climate trends, and economic development. Prior to that, she served as Vice President of Helios Investment Partners, an Africa-focused private investment fund, and worked with Industrial Promotion Services (IPS), the investment arm of the Aga Khan Development Network. She also held the role of Vice President at Citigroup’s Investment Banking Division in New York.
The search
Earlier this year, the Board of Directors embarked on a global search for its next leader, “who exemplifies the values of the Mastercard Foundation, brings a global perspective, possesses substantial experience working in Africa, and demonstrates the capability and commitment to scale the Foundation’s impact across Africa and within Indigenous communities in Canada,”, reads the statement adding that the rigorous search process, and interviews with many accomplished candidates, the Board concluded that Ahderom was “the clear and exceptional choice to lead the Mastercard Foundation into its next era of impact.”
“Sewit is a highly talented global executive with a deep understanding of the African continent,” said Zein Abdalla, Chair of the Mastercard Foundation Board of Directors. “Her career spans the development and private sectors, with expertise in agrifood systems and technology—areas closely aligned with the Foundation’s work. Most importantly, Sewit embodies our values. She listens thoughtfully, fosters strong relationships, and focuses on delivering impactful results.”
Abdalla emphasized what sets Ahderom apart: “Her career as an investor and entrepreneur provides invaluable lessons in agility, resilience, and the realities of scaling complex systems. Her firsthand experience will enable us to better support entrepreneurs on their journeys.”
Carrying the work forward
For the past two years, Ahderom has served on the Mastercard Foundation’s Board of Directors and understands the organisation’s mission deeply.
“I am truly honored to serve the Foundation’s mission,” she said. “Building on the extraordinary work of Reeta Roy, whose leadership has embodied partnership and purpose, it is both humbling and inspiring to carry this work forward. The Foundation’s commitment to helping young people access dignified and fulfilling work speaks to me on a deeply personal level. I’m excited to listen and learn from young people, our staff, and our partners, and to strengthen the collaborations that will continue driving meaningful change across Africa and within Indigenous communities in Canada.”
A New Chapter
According to outgoing President and CEO Reeta Roy, Ahderom’s appointment will mark a pivotal moment for one of the world’s most impactful philanthropies.
“It’s been an honor to lead the Mastercard Foundation and be part of an extraordinary journey of transformation in the lives of millions of young people, knowing this impact will endure for generations,” Roy reflected. “That’s why I’m thrilled about Sewit Ahderom’s appointment as the next President and CEO. We’ve worked closely over the last two years. I respect her expertise, admire her leadership, and look forward to a smooth transition over the coming months.”
The Mastercard Foundation envisions a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. With more than $53 billion in assets, it stands as one of the largest foundations globally, channeling resources toward education and financial inclusion for young people who need it most.
Young Africa Works
Currently, the Foundation is implementing its Young Africa Works strategy, an ambitious initiative aiming to enable 30 million young people to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. In Canada, its EleV Program is working to support 100,000 Indigenous youth in completing post-secondary education and transitioning into meaningful work by decade’s end.
To date, these programs have equipped more than 66 million people with skills and tools and enabled nearly 18 million young people to access work opportunities. More than half of them are young women.
Established in 2006 through Mastercard’s generosity when it became a public company, the Foundation operates as an independent organization. Its policies, operations, and program decisions are determined by its Board of Directors and leadership team—ensuring that its mission remains focused on creating lasting change for generations to come.
