CIO75 2021 #4: Rama Sridhar, Mastercard
Rama is a master of combining deep expertise to drive transformative change in Asia -- helping provide stability and growth opportunities for businesses battling the effects of the pandemic.
Notably, using real-time technology (RTP) to get funds where they needed to be at the height of COVID-19 in the Philippines and Thailand alongside bringing millions of consumers into the digital economy through strategic super app alliances in Singapore and Philippines.
Rama’s real-time implementation framework has become a global standard for Mastercard with innovation also extending to making super apps “super inclusive” through partnerships with GrabPay.
Rama also prioritised gig workers and small businesses to launch cross-border payment solutions for digital platforms and accelerating uptake of smartphone point-of-sale (POS) technology to remove reliance on specialised hardware when receiving payments.
This is in addition to designing and on-boarding over 20 fintechs as issuers through Mastercard’s Fintech Express program in Asia Pacific.
Rama was also honoured as CIO of the Year (Innovation) in recognition of spearheading transformative change to create more connected and financially inclusive economies across Southeast Asia -- leading a team of 45 technologists, business and financial professionals.