U.S. Headquarters: Purchase, N.Y.
Global Employees: 6,700
U.S. Employees: 4,138
Last Year’s DiversityInc Top 50 Ranking: 15

MasterCard Worldwide moves into the top 10 for the first time as its talent-development efforts and ability to create an inclusive workplace improve dramatically.

The company continues to improve its diversity-management performance under the guidance of Chief Diversity Officer Donna Johnson. The commitment starts at the top, with President and CEO Ajay Banga. He has created an extremely inclusive culture, where collaboration is prized. He meets every month with resource groups, including in small, informal settings. He also is active externally, chairing the U.S. India-Business Council.

Banga chairs the executive diversity council and encourages executives to be actively involved in diversity activities. Half of his direct reports are executive sponsors of resource groups. Every member of the executive diversity council participates in the cross-cultural mentoring program, as do half the managers in the company. The program is available across the organization, and mentors receive cultural-awareness training. Executives in the top three levels of the organization participate.

MasterCard has a diverse board of directors: Its 12-member board has two women, four Asians and two Latinos.

MasterCard’s business-resource groups are quite remarkable in their efforts at talent development and community outreach. They hosted more than 50 events last year, some of which were webcast globally, focusing on talent management, culture of inclusion and business impact. Events included an Executive Coaching Panel and an Emerging Women Leaders webinar.

Groups include ones for veterans, young professionals and the Women’s Leadership Network. The groups also are used for marketplace outreach. Forty-five percent of U.S. employees are members of at least one group, and all groups have formal charters linked to business goals.