Visa appoints Michelle Gethers-Clark as Chief Diversity Officer & Head of Corporate Responsibility

Visa has announced the appointment of Michelle Gethers-Clark as Chief Diversity Officer and Head of Corporate Responsibility.

Gethers-Clark will join Visa’s Executive Committee and report to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Al Kelly. She will join start the role in May 2021 and will eventually work from the company’s San Francisco headquarters.

In this role, Gethers-Clark will lead Visa’s inclusion and diversity, social impact and sustainability efforts globally. Among her responsibilities will be ensuring Visa’s organisation and culture are truly inclusive; and managing initiatives to enhance Visa’s commitment to being a responsible, ethical and sustainable company. She will also oversee Visa’s social impact efforts to drive equitable economic growth; with a special focus on supporting small and micro businesses.

“As a global, purpose-led company we are guided by the belief that economies that include everyone, everywhere will uplift everyone, everywhere. Michelle has tremendous leadership experience closely aligning inclusion and diversity, social impact and philanthropic initiatives to business objectives and producing transformational results. We are very excited for Michelle to join our team; and help us to continue to drive positive impact within Visa and around the world,” stated Al Kelly.

PASSION FOR DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Most recently, Gethers-Clark served as President & CEO of the United Way of Greater Greensboro, North Carolina. During her time there, she led fundraising and distribution of $90 million to social impact programmes; focusing on producing positive life, health and economic outcomes for children and families. Prior to United Way, Gethers-Clark spent more than 20 years at American Express; where she held various senior roles across internal audit, risk management and credit and collection operations; and ultimately became the company’s Senior Vice President and General Manager of Card Operations. Additionally, while at American Express, Gethers-Clark led regional philanthropic and social impact initiatives; and drove the national agenda for the American Express Black Employee Network.

“It is my honour to join the Visa team and lead our strategic inclusion and diversity, social impact and sustainability efforts globally,” said Gethers-Clark. “I bring to this role a passion for partnering with internal and external team members to continue bringing to life what this work can mean for our company, our customers and our communities around the world.”