Mastercard has appointed Beena Pothen as Division President for West Southeast Asia, overseeing operations in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, and Myanmar. This appointment is part of a strategic move to introduce a new two-division leadership structure in Southeast Asia, designed to bolster customer focus across markets with varying economic profiles and digital maturity.
Pothen, who previously served as Country Manager for Malaysia and Brunei, brings a wealth of experience in fostering customer relationships and advancing digital transformation. “I am energised to lead Mastercard across West Southeast Asia—a diverse and deeply sophisticated set of markets with strong payments foundations,” Pothen stated. She emphasised her commitment to deepening partnerships and shaping the future of digital commerce for businesses, governments, and consumers.
Richard Wormald, President of Asia Pacific at Mastercard, highlighted the region’s significance as a proving ground for the future of commerce, noting the rapid evolution of AI-enabled commerce, digital wallets, and new payment experiences. “These appointments are about getting closer to customers and helping them innovate with confidence,” Wormald said.
Pothen’s appointment is part of a broader series of leadership changes across Asia Pacific, aimed at strengthening Mastercard’s ability to navigate the evolving payments landscape and capture new growth opportunities. Her leadership style is characterised by collaboration and a focus on building trusted partnerships, scaling digital solutions, and creating growth opportunities across the region.
