Zein Abdalla: Leading with Values, From Global Boardrooms to Global Impact

Zein Abdalla is a globally respected business leader and Chairperson of the Mastercard Foundation Board of Directors. A former President of PepsiCo, Inc., he led operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, driving growth and transformation. Educated at Imperial College London with a degree in Electrical Engineering, Abdalla began his career at Mars Inc., where he rose through diverse leadership roles. Today, he serves on several global boards, including Cognizant Technology Solutions and TJX Companies. He is widely recognized for his values-based leadership, commitment to ethical governance, and dedication to empowering young people across Africa.Transcending Boundaries is a podcast hosted by Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, which features intimate conversations with exceptional leaders. Each episode explores value-based leadership by diving deep into the lives of extraordinary people who have changed their communities, their countries, and the world for the better.Learn more here: https://mastercardfdn.org/en/transcending-boundaries-podcast------------------------------------------------------------------The Mastercard Foundation is a registered Canadian charity and one of the largest foundations in the world. It works with visionary organizations to advance education and financial inclusion to enable young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. Established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company, the Foundation is an independent organization separate from the company, with offices in Toronto, Kigali, Accra, Nairobi, Kampala, Lagos, Dakar, and Addis Ababa. Its policies, operations, and program decisions are determined by the Foundation’s Board of Directors and leadership.