Changemakers Mastercard

More and more, social responsibility is not just about opening our wallets, but looking at new ways we can come together to build scalable and sustainable solutions to the world’s biggest problems. Mercy Corps CEO, Neal Keny-Guyer sits down with Nina Nieuwoudt, vice president, Product Development and Innovation, to discuss the innovative ways that the two companies have joined forces to help aid refugees and how we can help this in-need community ourselves.

Despite studies showing that veterans offer one of the highest returns on investment for employers, nearly a third of veterans face underemployment and 44 percent leave their first post-military job within a year. We sit down with Ron Green, Chief Security Officer, and Kim Purcell, Vice President, Product Development and Innovation, about what Mastercard is doing to help ease the move for veterans to their next career.

According to recent reports, 80 percent of jobs in the next decade will require STEM skills. We talk to employees in our locations around the world about what they are doing to inspire students to get involved in this area. Through programs like Girls4Tech and CoderDojo, Mastercard employees are inspiring students who may have thought that science and math-related ways of thinking were simply not for them.

Last year, Mastercard introduced the CEO Force for Good Awards, a way to showcase our volunteers in offices around the globe. Following the awards, hosts Vicki Hyman and Anthony Venutolo sat down with Mastercard volunteers from Kenya, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and France, to hear about their experiences making a difference for people around the world.

As the refugee crisis continues throughout Europe, Mastercard’s Waterloo employees have stepped up to provide assistance to those in need. Nije Skepi a Mastercard HR manager, has spearheaded a partnership with a local organization, Solidarité Grands Froids (SGF) to bring much needed resources as well as some fun to the refugee community. Nije, her colleagues and SGF president Cynthia Simpson share personal stories that demonstrate how getting involved can make a significant difference in the lives of refugees.

Following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, Mastercard employees traveled to Houston to help the American Red Cross in a variety of roles, including distributing supplies and providing assistance in shelters. Volunteers Katie Heilmann and Bryan Fuller share their experience helping those affected, and Red Cross staff share the powerful impact volunteers have on disaster survivors.