Women in STEM Spotlight: Raj Seshadri

Raj Seshadri is the Chief Commercial Payments Officer at Mastercard and a member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team and Management Committee. She is responsible for Commercial & New Payment Flows focused on bringing the same safe and seamless experience consumers have in retail carded payments to business and corporate customers. She was previously president of Mastercard’s global Data & Services team, having joined the company in 2016.

Outside Mastercard, Raj serves on the board of the New York Philharmonic, Raymond James, and the American India Foundation. She is also a Trustee of Mount Holyoke College, where she earned her degrees in physics and mathematics before completing a Ph.D. in physics at Harvard and an M.B.A. at Stanford.

1. As Mastercard’s Chief Commercial Payments Officer and one of the most senior female leaders in the company, can you share with us the company’s philosophy of women in leadership positions, in particular women in the STEM pipeline?

Mastercard’s culture of 'doing well by doing good' is critical for our employees,  customers, and external stakeholders. Inequality still holds women back in the workplace across the globe,  evident through issues like unconscious bias, unequal resourcing, and uneven access to capital. We’re focused on designing a better world for women because we know that when we do, we create a better and more inclusive world for us all.

Embracing gender equality isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s also good for business and the global economy. Diverse teams drive innovation, creativity, and adaptability. Research shows that when women contribute, economies grow. In the U.S., women-owned firms are growing at more than double the rate of all other firms, contributing nearly $3 trillion to the economy and creating 23 million jobs. Yet they often remain overlooked. Supporting women in driving sustainable, inclusive growth should be a global priority.

One Mastercard initiative that embraces our focus on inclusion is our work to educate 6.8 million girls through our Girls4Tech curriculum. Launched in 2014, we celebrated its’ 10th anniversary last month. As a woman who has both studied and worked in male-dominated fields, I know first-hand the impact and confidence that these kinds of initiatives can instill in young women. And frankly, I wish I had more of these kinds of resource groups growing up. Women deserve a seat at the table, a world that works better for them, and opportunities that creates limitless possibilities for us all.

2. Why did you choose to study at Mount Holyoke, a women’s college, for physics and mathematics degrees? How has your experience studying at a women’s college shaped who you are today?

Choosing Mount Holyoke was a decision I am very happy to have made. The environment encourages women to excel in all fields, including those traditionally dominated by men. It  provided me witha broad liberal arts education within a community that fosters intellectual curiosity, excellence, and collaboration. My time there provided me with the foundational leadership skills and experiences that made me successful throughout my career. Many Mount Holyoke faculty and alums have been and are my greatest supporters, advocates, and role models.  I remain connected with the college today, and Mount Holyoke women continue to inspire me.

3. You later received advanced degrees from Stanford and Harvard and worked at McKinsey. Your pursuit of excellence is exemplary of a model Asian immigrant family with overachievers. How has your Asian heritage influenced you, personally and professionally?

My Asian heritage has profoundly influenced both my personal and professional lives. My family instilled in me the values of hard work, perseverance, and education from a young age, which became a bedrock for academic and professional excellence.

My mother has served as a particular inspiration to me. During my childhood in India, she married right out of college and stayed home to raise us. When all her children were above nursery school age, she went back to university and to work. This led to her to forge a highly fulfilling career for herself. She instilled her work ethic and relentless dedication to excellence in me and my siblings. More importantly, she demonstrated that men and women must be equal partners with one another – both in the home and at work. True gender equity comes from equal access and the rights to learn, work, and earn.

4. In addition to work, you’re also involved in philanthropy. As a member of the Board of Directors at the American India Foundation, which has grown substantially over the years, what impact do you hope to create through a nonprofit organization? How is it different from commercial entities?

The American India Foundation’s goals and impact on the social and economic growth in communities across India align strongly with my personal worldview. It is a privilege to work at an organization with values I align with. My involvement has not only brought me an incredibly rich network of talented individuals with similar values, but it has also taught me lessons that I can apply to my work and life. I hope we can continue to deliver a lasting impact on the communities we work with to improve lives and create opportunities for those who need them most.

5. What is your advice to young women pursuing STEM degrees or about to enter the workforce?

Listening, asking questions, and learning are essential skills for growing in your career. Building strong relationships, seeking out mentors, and connecting with role models are just as crucial. Look for mentors who truly care about you, give you good advice, and are willing to open doors for you. And remember, the most impactful relationships are about mutual growth — learn from your mentor, then pay it forward by supporting and guiding others.

In competitive fields, adaptability, agility, and resilience are essential. Embrace challenges as learning opportunities and be ready to get back up after setbacks. At the same time, don’t underestimate the power of humility; great leaders stay grounded and always welcome feedback.

Above all, let’s commit to lifting each other up. Supporting fellow women creates a ripple effect that strengthens the entire community. There's nothing more fulfilling than helping the next generation of women succeed.