What's Next In podcast: Kristina Kloberdanz and the meaning of sustainability

At Mastercard, sustainability is embedded in everything we do -- who we are as a company, how we drive forward our business, and how we support the communities and the environment around us. Recently we released our 2019 "Doing Well by Doing Good" sustainability report, which summarizes our collective impact and outlines our commitment to build a more inclusive and sustainable digital economy. We are proud of our achievements, but clearly our work has only just begun. 

COVID-19 has disrupted our lives and livelihoods in unprecedented ways and revealed just how interconnected our world has become. We've also seen a much-needed focus on issues of racial justice in the United States, echoed by protests around the world. During this time of unprecedented change, our responsibility is clear -- we have to help those in need today, and ensure the world emerges a stronger, more resilient place. 

Earlier this year, Mastercard reached its goal of bringing 500 million people into the financial system, and almost immediately doubled its commitment to connect 1 billion people to the digital economy, and 50 million small businesses by 2025. In the midst of the global pandemic, the company quickly mobilized the full strength of its resources to help not only its customers and communities around the world to recover. 

Chief Sustainability Officer Kristina Kloberdanz shares the company’s roadmap to tapping our people and networks and build a more equitable society on the latest episode of "What's Next In."

Hosted by Arthur Baker, each episode of “What’s Next In” informally explores big ideas and trends in the world of payments technology and beyond.

In their engaging discussion, Kloberdanz explains why the Sustainability Report is so vital. "In some areas it helps us understand where we need to step up," she says. "In turn, it can also inform and drive our strategy going forward."

She also discusses what it means to be Mastercard's first sustainability officer, and her early days as professional ballerina. "Sure, I might don a pair of heels walking around Purchase when we were in the office," she says. "But back in the day, those were certainly point shoes on my feet."

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