The Board of Directors of the Mastercard Foundation has made its decision: Ethiopian entrepreneur and investor Sewit Ahderom will take the helm of one of the world’s largest philanthropic organizations. On January 1, 2026, she will succeed Reeta Roy, who has led the Foundation for the past 18 years.
Ahderom’s appointment marks the beginning of a new era for the Foundation, whose initiatives are already transforming the lives of millions of young people across Africa and within Indigenous communities in Canada.
With more than $53 billion in assets, the Mastercard Foundation ranks among the largest private foundations in the world. Its flagship strategy, Young Africa Works, aims to enable 30 million young Africans to secure meaningful and fulfilling employment by 2030. In Canada, the EleV initiative seeks to support 100,000 Indigenous youth in completing postsecondary education and entering the labor market.
To date, more than 66 million people have benefited from the Foundation’s programs, including 18 million young people who have secured employment-half of them young women. This strong foundation is what Sewit Ahderom will build upon as she leads the next phase of growth and innovation.
A Global Search, a Clear Choice
The international recruitment process launched earlier this year sought a leader who could combine a global vision with deep African roots and alignment with the Foundation’s values. After months of evaluation, Sewit Ahderom emerged as the clear choice.
“Sewit is an exceptional leader, with a profound understanding of the African continent and rare expertise in agri-food systems and technology,” said Zein Abdalla, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Her background as an investor and entrepreneur has given her the agility and resilience needed to drive large-scale transformations.”
A Mission-Driven Leader
Currently a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, Ahderom is already familiar with its strategic priorities. Her ambition: to amplify the Foundation’s impact by focusing on local solutions and strengthening partnerships with community actors.
“I am deeply honored to carry this mission forward,” she said. “The Foundation’s commitment to enabling young people to access dignified and fulfilling work resonates deeply with me. I look forward to learning from them, from our partners, and from our teams to help build lasting change.”
A Unique Career Bridging Finance, Agriculture, and Technology
With a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from Columbia University, Sewit Ahderom has navigated diverse environments at the intersection of developed and emerging markets.
Most recently, she has applied her expertise to initiatives expanding access to education for displaced populations through emerging technologies and advancing the adoption of artificial intelligence to address major humanitarian challenges.
A visionary, she co-founded Gro Intelligence in Nairobi, a pioneering data platform specializing in agriculture, climate, and economic development. Gro Intelligence has since become a global leader in using AI to deliver complex agricultural analytics and help businesses hedge against climate risks.
Over the course of her career, Ahderom has also held key leadership roles: vice president at Helios Investment Partners, a major Africa-focused fund; senior executive at Industrial Promotion Services (IPS), the investment arm of the Aga Khan Development Network; and vice president in the investment banking division at Citigroup in New York.
A Smooth Transition
Reeta Roy, whose leadership has shaped the Foundation for nearly two decades, will remain until the end of the year to ensure a seamless handover.
“It has been an honor to lead the Mastercard Foundation and to witness its impact on millions of lives,” Roy said. “I am delighted that Sewit Ahderom will succeed me. We have worked closely together over the past two years, and I am confident the transition will be smooth.”
