2015 Q2 Board Book (Staff)

The June 23-24th Board Meeting, focused on the Foundation's strategic leadership changes, positive online perception, and impactful events and announcements, while continuing its work in financial inclusion, education, and youth employment, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Key activities and initiatives during this quarter include:

1) Leadership Transition: The Foundation appointed Jim Leech as Chair of the Board, succeeding Lois Juliber. Craig Calhoun and Douglas Baillie also joined the Board of Directors. These changes bring new expertise in social sciences, business, and international development.

2) Positive Online Perception: Online discussions about the Foundation were overwhelmingly positive (92%). The majority of posts are sharing or echoing articles that highlight the Foundation's work. The central driver in online discussion was that the Foundation is "focused on the people they serve," with other topics such as long-term impact in Africa and innovation also frequently mentioned.

3) Financial Inclusion: The Foundation announced the "Clients at the Centre Prize" to recognize organizations that provide customer-focused financial products and services to low-income people. The Foundation also continued to focus on financial inclusion projects and scholarship programs, which drove much of the positive online conversation.

4) Youth Learning: The Foundation continued to focus on its scholarship programs, with stories of student achievements driving discussion. The Foundation also participated in the Skoll World Forum, bringing young fellows to strengthen their networking and public speaking skills. Additionally, the Foundation announced a $25 million partnership with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) to support STEM education in Africa.

5) Strategic Partnerships: The Foundation strengthened its partnerships with various organizations, including the Boston Consulting Group, and also convened partners for the Collaboration for Impact event in Malawi. The Foundation also announced new university partnerships in Africa.

6) Events and Announcements: The Foundation participated in several global events, including the UN General Assembly and the World Economic Forum on Africa. The Foundation also released its first report on youth financial services and received the Global Education Award from the World Affairs Council. President Bill Clinton visited the Wings to Fly program, highlighting the Foundation's impact.

Overall, the Mastercard Foundation's activities in the second quarter of 2015 demonstrate a commitment to its mission through strategic leadership, positive public perception, and impactful events. The Foundation is focused on enhancing access to education, promoting financial inclusion, and creating economic opportunities, primarily in Africa.