Raja Rajamannar is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Mastercard and the founding president of its healthcare business. He is a member of the company’s executive leadership team and management committee.

Over the past decade, Raja has transformed Mastercard into one of the world’s top most valuable brands. Leading the iconic Priceless platform, he and his team have redefined experiential, multisensory marketing for consumers and customers alike.

Raja has expanded Mastercard’s brand impact by integrating artificial intelligence, Web3 technologies, and pioneering some of the world’s most cutting-edge purpose-driven marketing campaigns.

Under Raja’s leadership, Mastercard has raised over $65 million for Stand Up To Cancer, funding nine FDA-approved therapies through campaigns that donate a portion of transactions. He also launched the Wildlife Impact Card in partnership with Conservation International – the world’s first card supporting global conservation, aiming to protect over 40 million hectares of landscapes and 4.5 million square kilometers of seascapes by 2030 through everyday consumer transactions. Raja spearheaded Mastercard’s Touch Card, designed with tactile notches for the visually impaired, and Mastercard’s True Name Card, enabling transgender and nonbinary individuals to use their chosen names. Raja also oversaw the launch of Where to Settle, a refugee resettlement program in Poland that offers tailored options based on job opportunities, cost of living, and community support, helping one in five Ukrainian refugees who had to flee to Poland. Additionally, he has led Mastercard’s partnership with the World Food Programme, delivering 150 million school meals and $6 million for emergency operations. By introducing e-cards for Syrian refugees, the initiative injected $1.3 billion into local economies. These initiatives have highlighted how brands can drive societal good while achieving business growth.

Before Mastercard, Raja served as Chief Transformation Officer at Anthem (formerly WellPoint), where he shaped business strategy and managed an $11 billion Medicare Advantage portfolio. He previously held senior roles at Humana, including Chief Executive – International and Chief Innovation & Marketing Officer. During his 15 years at Citigroup, he led core credit card businesses in North America and EMEA and also served as Chairman and CEO of Diners Club N.A. Earlier in his career, Raja held senior product, sales, and marketing roles with Unilever in India.

Raja is a frequent speaker and media commentator. His book, Quantum Marketing: Mastering the New Marketing Mindset for Tomorrow’s Consumers, has become a Wall Street Journal bestseller and an essential read for business leaders and academics worldwide, now translated into 12 languages. His work has earned him numerous global accolades, including induction into the 2025 Advertising Hall of Fame by the American Advertising Federation, Forbes’ Most Influential CMOs Hall of Fame, and six-time recognition as one of Business Insider’s Most Innovative CMOs. Other honors include Advertising Person of the Year by The AD Club of New York, WFA Global Marketer of the Year, and Billboard’s Top Branding Power Player.

Raja serves as President of the World Federation of Advertisers and on several boards including the Association of National Advertisers, The Ad Council, Yale School of Management Consumer Insights Council, and Bon Secours Mercy Health. He also serves on the board of PPL Corporation, a U.S. Fortune 500 company (NYSE: PPL) and a major player in the U.S. energy sector with $39 billion in total assets and a focus on building smarter, more resilient power grids while advancing sustainable energy solutions.

Originally from India, Raja earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Osmania University and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. He resides in the United States.