Inside the Circles

Welcome to "Inside the Circles." We’re here to talk about the value of connection with each other, the importance of real conversations and the need to think about both the here and now – especially when it comes to the future of work, life and culture. To help meet these needs, host Latoya Bennett Johnson of Employer Brand Marketing, will take us all on a journey. She'll bring everyone open, honest conversations with Mastercard employees and executives about a wide range of topics that matter. We'd love for you to join us. Subscribe today!

A first-generation college student is paying it forward, literally 08/22/2023

A first-generation college student is paying it forward, literally On the latest episode of "Inside the Circles," Mastercard’s podcast about the future of work and the topics of now, host Latoya Bennett-Johnson chats with Thompson, a two-time intern at Mastercard who is now an account management director for North America, about her career journey and her passion for uplifting her community. Brianna Thompson grew up mere miles from the opulent playgrounds of Hamptons, but her hometown of Hampton Bays is working class, and she was the first generation in her family to attend college. Mindful of the sobering statistics about low-income first-generation college students — only 11% — she established an annual scholarship at her high school for these students. That was only five years after she herself graduated from high school. Thompson started working at Mastercard upon graduation from Baruch College with a bachelor's in business administration and quickly advanced while working toward her MBA. But immediately after being hired, she starting thinking about how she could help other first-generation college students gain confidence and continue their education. With her signing bonus, she created a self-funded scholarship to be awarded to a Hampton Bays High School graduate who would also be a first-generation college student, and she continues to fund the award every year. After being named one of Mastercard's volunteers of the year through the company's CEO Force for Good Awards, she was able to fund five scholarships with a donation from the company. Tune in to their insightful chat... /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/27819405

Pride 2023: A lesson on being an authentic leader in the workplace 06/26/2023

Pride 2023: A lesson on being an authentic leader in the workplace On the latest episode of Mastercard’s podcast about the future of work and the topics of now, host Latoya Bennett-Johnson sat down with Chad Wallace, who is the executive vice president and global head of Commercial Solutions. After a robust career with Goldman Sachs and Capital One, Wallace joined Mastercard a little over a year ago to lead the company’s commercial and B2B businesses, including product, engineering, and sales. Three years ago, on National Coming Out Day, Wallace penned a . He had written the draft ten times before he felt comfortable with it. After years, both in his youth and early career, of being reserved and keeping his cards close to his chest, Wallace was ready to raise his voice and put it all out there – the experiences he had growing up as a young gay man in rural Tennessee, the evolving relationships with his family and what it means to show up as your authentic self in your personal and professional life. Wallace reflects on his letter and all that has occurred in his life that led him to writing it. “Even in some of the toughest things through my life, there were really good things that ended up happening because of that,” says Wallace. “I think I’m a better person at the end of the day because of the things that I went through during my childhood and upbringing.” /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/27270003

‘It takes a lot of strength to ask for help’: A conversation about mental health and the military 05/25/2023

‘It takes a lot of strength to ask for help’: A conversation about mental health and the military The pandemic sparked many changes in how we live and work, and among them is how we now center mental health and wellbeing in our lives. Mastercard’s own support the ways people show up as their authentic selves, with the flexibility and understanding to do what’s best for their wellbeing. On the latest episode of Mastercard’s podcast about the future of work and the topics of now, host Latoya Bennett-Johnson chats with Schawn Branch, a lead program manager in our Data & Services business and a co-lead for our for veterans, about what can often be for former military members. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point who joined Mastercard after a 28-year career in U.S. Army, Branch is passionate about helping those serving find opportunities for employment after leaving the military. He was hired following a 12-week corporate fellowship with the Hiring Our Heroes program that gave him the opportunity work at Mastercard while still enlisted. The conversation about mental health in the military has evolved significantly, Branch says, from being something not discussed to now being talked about openly. “It takes a lot of strength to ask for help,” he says. /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/26949459

Inside the Circles: Celebrating Earth Month 04/26/2023

Inside the Circles: Celebrating Earth Month The latest episode of "Inside the Circles" will honor Earth Month, focusing on Mastercard’s ESG priorities, the changes we’re making to our office spaces to become green-certified and how employees can feel empowered to combat environmental issues. Host Latoya Bennett-Johnson, vice president, Global Sponsorships, spoke with two of our sustainability experts, Sia Xeros, vice president, Environmental Sustainability and Erin Goodhand, director, Sustainability to explore their personal journeys and passion for sustainability, as well as discussing how we can make sustainability more accessible for individuals and communities around the world. We believe that everyone has a role to play in creating a more sustainable future. According to recent Mastercard sustainability research, 85% of consumers are willing to take personal action to combat environmental and sustainability issues. Mastercard is honoring Earth Month by making action more accessible for individuals, so they feel empowered to contribute and giving them opportunities to be part of the solution. /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/26646786

What Pride Month means at Mastercard 06/22/2022

What Pride Month means at Mastercard We’re celebrating Pride Month on “Inside on the Circles.” For this edition, we’re joined by technical program manager Mark O’Looney and vice president, social impact communications, Allison Kahn. (). Mark and Allison will join host Latoya Bennett-Johnson for a discussion on their career journeys, the importance of equity and inclusivity in the workplace, what Pride Month means to them and Mastercard’s commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/23509403

It's World Environment Day! Let's talk ESG 06/01/2022

It's World Environment Day! Let's talk ESG On June 5, it's World Environment Day so host Latoya Bennett-Johnson chats ESG with Jim Colvine, senior vice president, Product Management and Jennifer Merli, vice president, Corporate Sustainability. The acronym ESG that has taken flight across industries over the last few years and stands for environmental, social and corporate governance – non-financial ways to measure a company’s sustainability and social responsibility. Contributing to a more sustainable world is one of our core values. Through Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition, Carbon Calculator and net-zero commitment, the company strives to make a positive change in the environment. “For Mastercard, this is connecting the ‘why’ of what we do, our purpose, with the ‘what’ of our fundamental business strategies,” says Jim. In other words, he says, “doing well by doing good.” /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/23296673

From the drilling platform to the C-suite: Ann Cairns and women’s leadership 03/15/2022

From the drilling platform to the C-suite: Ann Cairns and women’s leadership “If you want something, reach for it.” A long career in male-dominated spaces forged Mastercard’s Vice Chair Ann Cairns’ personal credo, and continues to fuel it in her work to champion women in business. In the latest episode of “Inside the Circles,” Mastercard’s podcast about the future of work and the topics of now, host Latoya Bennett-Johnson sits down with Cairns to discuss her longstanding commitment to inclusion, diversity and mentorship, and the experiences that led her to this role. Cairns worked as a research scientist in the field of offshore oil and gas drilling before moving into international banking and finance, where she was often the only woman in the room. “It’s not all negative,” she says. “If you look different to everyone else, you get noticed.” She also saw that having different people at the table produced a greater array of opinions and ideas, sparking her passion to advocate for gender equity in business. Game show music: “Milton Intro Remix” by Timbre /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/22455581

A chat with Mastercard’s Chief Inclusion Officer Randall Tucker 02/16/2022

A chat with Mastercard’s Chief Inclusion Officer Randall Tucker An inclusive workplace that champions positive social impact inside and outside of its walls is not a nice-to-have – it’s a necessity, says Mastercard’s Chief Inclusion Officer Randall Tucker. In the latest episode of “Inside the Circles,” host Latoya Bennett-Johnson sits down with Tucker to discuss his career journey, Mastercard’s In Solidarity commitment to helping close the racial wealth gap, and the genesis of the initiative following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020. Floyd’s death sent shockwaves throughout the U.S. and beyond, and the protest movement that arose in its wake led companies to reevaluate how to better serve the Black community. At Mastercard, Tucker says he and other executives “dropped everything” to develop a genuine and thoughtful plan of action. To hear more from Bennet-Johnson and Tucker, including a lighting round of Black History Month-themed questions, dive into the episode now. /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/22154306

Honoring our veterans 11/10/2021

Honoring our veterans In honor of Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom and Canada, we pay tribute to the brave men and women who served in the armed forces. We chat with Neil Parker and Jen Buckner. Buckner leads Mastercard’s Technology Risk Governance and Standards team and is a recently-retired U.S. Army brigadier general. Parker is a VP in Corporate Security. Before joining Mastercard, he deployed to the Middle East as a corporal with the British Armed Forces. /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/21125489

Mastercard's Many Paths to Innovation 09/29/2021

Mastercard's Many Paths to Innovation On the latest episode of "Inside the Circles, host Latoya Bennett-Johnson chats with Eva Mudgal and Monica Agarwala about pathways to bring and keep more women in technology and innovation. Mudgal is an alum of Mastercard's global STEM program Girls4Tech and Agarwala joined Mastercard in 2018 as part of "Relaunch Your Career," the company's program designed specifically for professionals who want to rejoin the workforce after a career break. /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/20636018

What bravery means to these LGBTQ+ leaders 06/30/2021

What bravery means to these LGBTQ+ leaders As we close out Pride Month, two of Mastercard’s LGBTQ+ employee leaders discuss what inclusion means to them and why it’s important to bring their authentic selves to work. On the latest episode, host Latoya Bennett-Johnson chats with Mira Belgrave and Ashley Thomas, both of the company’s PRIDE business resource group, about the power of visibility, the need for intersectionality and the meaning of bravery. /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/19656932

Attitude of Gratitude 06/23/2021

Attitude of Gratitude During the nearly 18 months of constant anxiety, stress and fatigue, the pandemic has affected the global population in unimaginable ways. For millions, the line between work and life has been blurred, and there should be no shame in admitting that our wellbeing is sometimes suffering. On the latest episode, host Latoya Bennett-Johnson chats with Mastercard's Chief People Officer Michael Fraccaro about the company’s approach to wellness. /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/19574624

It’s not easy being green – but it’s essential 04/21/2021

It’s not easy being green – but it’s essential As the one-year milestone of the pandemic fades into the rear view, we've learned consumers are willing to reduce their own carbon footprint and they’re demanding that brands be more sustainable as well. This Earth Day, we chat with Sue Kelsey, the EVP who oversees inclusive and sustainable digital products for Consumer Solutions and Paul Trueman, an SVP in Cyber & Intelligence Solutions who champions sustainable and eco-friendly cards. /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/18807356

Authentic leadership 03/31/2021

Authentic leadership What does it mean to support woman at work? It’s more than just clearing a path for a few to the C-suite. It’s about creating a culture where woman’s perspectives are valued and where their needs are met. We chat with London-based Ronel Lundall, an EVP for customer delivery for Mastercard’s New Payment Platforms business, and Dublin-based Amy Neale, an SVP who leads global initiatives for fintechs. They discuss career journeys, authenticity in leadership and the role of mentorship in corporate life /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/18552557

Inside the Circles: What's in a Name? 02/25/2021

Inside the Circles: What's in a Name? Black History Month is a time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of the Black community. Part of what that looks like building more partnerships with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) – helping us attract, attain and advance Black employees. Hosted by Latoya Bennett-Johnson, we chat with Alissa ‘Dr. Jay’ Abdullah, deputy chief information security officer and Les Matthews, executive vice president, Sales and Servicing, North America, about the impact and influence of H /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/18093842

We're back! Listen to the new trailer! 02/16/2021

We're back! Listen to the new trailer! Welcome back to "Inside the Circles." We’ve learned a lot over the last 12 months. The value of connection with each other, the importance of real conversations and the need to think about both the here and now – especially when it comes to the future of work, life and culture. To help meet these needs, we’re re-introducing our podcast with a new host: Latoya Bennett Johnson. She’ll bring us honest conversations with Mastercard employees and executives about a wide range of topics that matter in 202 /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/17973536

Inside the Circles: Dual Managers 02/27/2020

Inside the Circles: Dual Managers Since this special edition of "Inside the Circles" revolves around the dual manager relationship, we thought it would make perfect sense to chat with two execs who are no stranger to the above - especially during this time of objective setting. Guest host Chris Meyrick, Mastercard's executive vice president, Human Resources, International Markets, chats with Jennifer Rademaker, executive vice president, Global Customer Delivery and Carlo Enrico, president, Latin America and Caribbean region. /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/13327586

Inside the Circles: Self-Evaluation Season 10/07/2019

Inside the Circles: Self-Evaluation Season We understand the kind of dread that self-assessments can drudge up. We're thrilled to host Parag Mehta, executive director for Mastercard's Center for Inclusive Growth. He chats with Brianna Thompson, an associate analyst in Products and Innovation. From advice on how to ensure you're thinking about your self-evaluations all year long to how to get comfortable talking about yourself in the first place, Parag and Brianna's insights will surely spark some great inspiration for your own self-reviews. /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/11545019

Inside the Circles: Risk Taking 08/21/2019

Inside the Circles: Risk Taking Since the third episode of “Inside the Circles” revolves all around taking risks, we thought it would be apropos to chat with someone who focuses on taking risks in their daily role -- Deb Barta, senior vice president, Innovation and Startup Engagement. She chats with Will Garrity, an associate specialist in Employee Communications. From advice on taking the right risks in your career to finding out what their biggest risks were, they cover just about everything. It's a must listen. /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/10946306

Inside the Circles: Your Personal Brand 04/14/2019

Inside the Circles: Your Personal Brand We’ve all been told bring your best self to work. But what does that mean? In this episode, we talk personal branding. And we can’t think of anyone better to chat about the subject than the Mastercard's executive vice president of product and B2B marketing, Greg Boosin. He chats with Emily Anne Stepper, an analyst in Cyber and Intelligence Solutions. From discussing how to be the best version of yourself to working without a brand, Greg and Emily cover everything you’ll need to know. /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/9390038

Inside the Circles: Leadership 02/06/2019

Inside the Circles: Leadership Let’s face it. We all move in fast forward. Work is stressful. Life is stressful. Our commutes are stressful! Good news: We’re here to help. “Inside the Circles” is a new advice exchange podcast produced by Mastercard. Our first episode features Jennifer Rademaker, executive vice president, Customer Delivery and Kaitlin Triano, director, Product Market Management. The topic? Leadership. From coaching to inspirational reading to what unlikely cable show Jennifer finds inspiration, it’s a must-l /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/8536397

Inside the Circles: Trailer 12/31/2018

Inside the Circles: Trailer Hosted by Kerri Warner, Inside the Circles is a short advice-exchange podcast designed to shine a light on work-related topics for the aspiring, ambivalent or curious among us. Whether you're navigating the uncharted waters of a new role, plotting your move to your next one or leading a team through culture change, this pint-sized podcast will introduce you to both new and tenured Mastercard employees who've been there. Isn't your personal and professional development worth a few minutes? Subscribe today! /episode/index/show/insidethecircles/id/8092730

Inside the Circles

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