The Mastercard Foundation has announced that Sewit Ahderom will become its next President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Reeta Roy, who is stepping down after nearly two decades of leading the organisation. The appointment marks a new chapter for one of the world’s largest philanthropies, with assets of more than $53 billion and a mission to advance opportunity across Africa and within Indigenous communities in Canada.
Ahderom will officially assume the role on January 1, 2026. Until then, Roy will continue as president and CEO through 2025, working closely with Ahderom to ensure a seamless transition.
The decision follows a rigorous global search launched earlier this year by the Mastercard Foundation’s Board of Directors. The process sought a leader who could embody the Foundation’s values, bring a global outlook, and demonstrate proven experience working across Africa while also deepening the Foundation’s work in Canada. After months of evaluation and interviews, the Board concluded that Ahderom was the clear choice to take the helm.
Zein Abdalla, Chair of the Mastercard Foundation Board of Directors, praised Ahderom’s appointment as the beginning of a new era.
“Sewit is a highly talented global executive with a deep understanding of the African continent. 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 is a thoughtful listener, fosters strong relationships, and is focused on delivering impactful results,” Abdalla said in a statement.
He highlighted her unique career path, which includes roles as an investor, entrepreneur, and advisor on technology‑driven development. “Her first‑hand experience provides invaluable lessons in agility, resilience, and the realities of scaling complex systems. These qualities will enable us to better support the journeys of entrepreneurs,” Abdalla added.
Ahderom, who has served on the Mastercard Foundation’s Board of Directors for the past two years, brings both insider knowledge and a fresh perspective to the role. She expressed deep humility and excitement at the opportunity to carry forward the Foundation’s mission.
“I am truly honoured to be in service of 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 am excited to listen and learn from young people, our staff, and our partners, and to strengthen the collaborations that will continue to shape meaningful change across Africa and within Indigenous communities in Canada.”
Sewit Ahderom: A career bridging finance, technology, and development
Ahderom’s career reflects a rare convergence of global finance, African investment, and technology‑driven entrepreneurship. Most recently, she has advised organisations applying emerging technologies to support displaced communities and helped integrate artificial intelligence into humanitarian initiatives.
Previously, she co‑founded Gro Intelligence, a platform that delivered agricultural, climate, and economic insights through data and analytics.
She also served as vice president at Helios Investment Partners, a leading Africa‑focused private investment fund, where she honed her expertise in scaling businesses and navigating emerging markets.
Her professional journey began in finance with Citigroup’s Investment Banking Division in New York. She later worked at Industrial Promotion Services (IPS), the investment arm of the Aga Khan Development Network, before transitioning into entrepreneurship and advisory roles.
Ahderom holds a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from Columbia University.
Outgoing President and CEO Reeta Roy expressed confidence in Ahderom as her successor, underscoring the continuity of the Foundation’s mission.
“It’s been an honour to lead the Mastercard Foundation and to be part of an extraordinary journey of transformation in the lives of millions of young people and to know that this impact will endure over generations,” Roy said.
“That’s why I am thrilled about Sewit Ahderom’s appointment as the next President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation. We have 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.”
Roy’s leadership over the past 18 years has been widely credited with expanding the Foundation’s global influence and impact, particularly through initiatives in Africa and Canada. Her steady hand has helped the organisation become a central player in shaping inclusive growth and education strategies.
The Mastercard Foundation’s vision is a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. Its Young Africa Works strategy aims to enable 30 million young people to secure dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.
In Canada, its EleV Programme supports Indigenous youth to complete post‑secondary education and transition into employment, with a goal of reaching 100 000 youth by the end of the decade.
To date, the Foundation has reached more than 66 million people with skills, tools, and opportunities. Nearly 18 million young people have accessed work opportunities, with more than half of them women. These achievements reflect not just the scale of the Foundation’s investment but also its focus on local partnerships and solutions.
As Ahderom prepares to take the reins, she inherits both a strong foundation and an ambitious agenda. Her experience in technology, investment, and African development positions her to steer the Foundation into its next chapter of impact.
The announcement of her appointment signals both continuity and renewal for the Mastercard Foundation: continuity in its mission to transform lives and renewal through the fresh perspective of a leader rooted in Africa’s potential and connected to global systems.
With a smooth transition planned alongside Reeta Roy, the Foundation is poised to continue shaping opportunities for millions of young people across Africa and Indigenous communities in Canada, ensuring its legacy of impact grows even stronger in the years ahead.