Huntsman named vice chair and president of strategic growth at Mastercard
Mastercard, a New York-based financial services company, has appointed former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. as vice chairman and president of strategic growth, effective April 15.
Huntsman will lead efforts focused on expanding commercial partnerships with governments and public-sector institutions, along with driving the company’s inclusive growth, philanthropy and sustainability agenda. He will be part of the company’s executive leadership team.
“Mastercard has an extraordinary company culture that is driven by a profound commitment to advancing inclusive, sustainable, digital-driven economic growth throughout the world,” Huntsman said. “I very much look forward to being part of this great team to further scale new business opportunities and partnerships in support of the company’s exciting strategic growth opportunities.”
Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry with connections across more than 210 countries and territories. Mastercard Strategic Growth is comprised of the company’s philanthropic, ESG, localization and public-sector partnerships programs. It includes the Center for Inclusive Growth, in place for 10 years. The center advances equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world and administers the philanthropic Mastercard Impact Fund to produce independent research, scalable global programs and an empowered community of thinkers, leaders and doers on the front lines of inclusive growth.
“Jon’s unique experience spanning four decades in public and private sectors will be extremely valuable as we build the future of Mastercard,” said Michael Miebach, Mastercard’s CEO. “He will play a pivotal role in helping advance our approach to commercial sustainability through social impact, consistent with our company’s core value of doing well by doing good.”
Huntsman was elected governor in 2004 and was re-elected to a second term in November 2008.
Huntsman served as U.S. ambassador to Singapore, China and Russia under both Republican and Democratic administrations. He is the only American to have been chief of mission in both China and Russia. In a series of trade policy assignments, including as deputy U.S. trade representative, he negotiated dozens of trade and investment agreements throughout Asia and Africa. Huntsman also served as chairman of the Western Governors Association.
In 2009, Huntsman resigned as Utah governor to become U.S. ambassador to China. He stepped down from that role in 2011 in order to seek the Republican presidential nomination in the 2012 election.
Earlier in his career, Huntsman served as an executive with Huntsman Corp. and most recently as vice chairman of Ford Motor Co., where he currently serves on the board of directors. He also serves on the board of directors for Chevron. He is a trustee of the Huntsman Foundation.