Mastercard Votes Overwhelmingly to Keep DEI Despite Pressure

Amid a growing wave of resistance within the corporate sector, Mastercard's shareholders have overwhelmingly voted down an anti-diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) proposal.

The proposal was made by delegates from the National Centre for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) at Mastercard's annual shareholder meeting last week.

The meeting concluded with an unequivocal statement: "Mastercard’s culture of community and belonging ensures all our colleagues have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

"To attract, develop, engage and retain high calibre people, we invest in our employees and focus on building a workplace and culture that drives innovation, embraces diverse perspectives, encourages collaboration, fosters wellbeing and enables growth and opportunity."

The context of DEI in the US

Since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump in January 2025, the NCPPR has lobbied several major US-based corporations to do away with their policies, with the likes of McDonald's, Meta and Ford ditching DEI.

Elsewhere, many high-profile companies have opted to defy the wishes of President Trump and the NCPPR, including Apple, Costco and Levi's.

The outlook for DEI has perhaps been more dire in the fintech sector than most, though, with high-profile institutions like Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley and BlackRock all dialling back their DEI efforts.

Mastercard, however, is bucking this trend.

Mastercard's approach to DEI

When it comes to DEI, Mastercard's strategy is shaped by a clear vision from the top.

“We strive to ensure everyone has access to opportunity and each person feels heard and valued," says Randall Tucker, Mastercard’s Chief Community and Belonging Officer.

"When we engage with and in our communities and create spaces where everyone belongs, we’re better as a company and as a business.”

Mastercard's strategic DEI practices include:

• Accessibility and disability inclusion: Initiatives such as the Touch Card improve transaction security for individuals who are blind or have low vision, while the company advocates for awareness around hidden disabilities.
• Global inclusion: DEI policy applications extend to Mastercard's global workforce, emphasising intersectional gender initiatives and inclusive leadership, with innovations like the 'True Name' feature allowing users to represent their identities authentically.
• Transparency and accountability: With a clear articulation of DEI goals, Mastercard embeds inclusion accountability across leadership and organisational structures.

How Mastercard is weaving sustainability through its business

DEI is just one aspect of Mastercard's broader sustainability strategy.

In the company's 2025 Future of Sustainability report, it shows that it is taking a proactive approach to climate action and environmentalism.

Some of Mastercard's headline-grabbing sustainability practices include:

• Net zero commitment: Pledging to achieve net zero by 2040, Mastercard has used 100% renewable energy since 2017.
• Scope 3 emissions management: The company advances efforts to manage supply chain emissions, engaging suppliers in emissions reduction through targeted education and science-based targets.
• Circular economy initiatives: Aiming for zero waste, Mastercard has successfully diverted over 85% of waste from landfills, with 100% of e-waste responsibly recycled.
• Forest restoration: Through the Priceless Planet Coalition, Mastercard has supported the restoration of over 12 million trees globally, with ambitions to reach 100 million by 2025.

With this ethos, Mastercard is enacting a holistic vision for a modernised, inclusive and sustainable future in fintech.

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