Linda Kirkpatrick is chief services officer and a member of the Executive Leadership Team and Management Committee. Previously, she was president, Americas, responsible for Mastercard’s business in the United States, Canada and Latin America. This included execution of the company’s strategy with financial institutions, merchants, digital partners, fintechs, and governments.
As chief services officer, Linda manages Mastercard’s services portfolio, which includes data and insights, cybersecurity, fraud management, marketing services, consulting and open finance. The company’s AI strategy and Mastercard Economics Institute are also within this purview. Representing 40% of the company’s revenue, this business is a key growth engine and differentiator for Mastercard.
Linda brings a broad understanding and appreciation of customer and stakeholder needs. Prior to serving as president, Americas, she served as president of North America as well as president of U.S. financial institutions, where she expanded the company’s engagement model with banks beyond core payments. Linda also led the U.S. acceptance organization, where she deepened partnerships and service offerings with merchants and acquirers in the market and across the enterprise.
Since joining Mastercard in 1997, Linda has held several leadership roles and contributed to the evolution of the company’s business model and culture. She spent over a decade in global and corporate functions, including finance, strategy, franchise, working on the company’s initial public offering, establishing the company’s investor relations function, and building commercial rigor within the organization.
Passionate about financial inclusion and community engagement, Linda serves on several boards, including Accion, Japan Society, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Blood Cancer United, and Partnership for New York City. She sits on the global board of Advisors at Operation Hope and is a trustee at Manhattanville University. The World Economic Forum named Linda a Young Global Leader in 2015, and she is a David Rockefeller Fellow. In 2020, Linda was named to the 2020 Bloomberg 50, Bloomberg Businessweek’s annual list of innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders who have changed global business.
Linda graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and holds an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Manhattanville University.
