Mastercard Leadership Assembly
September 5th to 8th | Milan, Italy
Mastercard Leadership Assembly
September 5th to 8th | Milan, Italy
Welcome to Milan
We look forward to welcoming you to our 2025 Mastercard Leadership Assembly in Milan.
This edition will bring together Mastercard’s senior leaders and regional executives to explore how we can embrace change in a dynamic world. Set against the high-performance backdrop of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, this gathering is designed to inspire bold thinking, foster collaboration, and accelerate our shared ambition.
Our agenda includes a curated line-up of speakers—featuring global experts and Mastercard’s leadership team—who will explore the innovations, and synergies shaping the future of our business. From economic outlooks to AI-driven transformation, we will examine how to lead with intent and impact in an ever-evolving landscape.
As part of the experience, we will host priceless moments at the Monza Circuit, including access to the McLaren Priceless Lounge and the Grand Prix.
If you have any questions about your stay, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your program hosts or Mastercard contacts listed in this pack.
We look forward to seeing you in Milan as we chart the future—together.
Best regards,
Ahmed A Karim
EVP, Marketing and Communications, EEMEA, Mastercard
Adam Jones
Division President,West Arabia,Mastercard
J.K. Khalil
Division President,East Arabia,Mastercard
Ahmed A Karim
EVP, Marketing and Communications, EEMEA, Mastercard
Adam Jones
Division President,West Arabia,Mastercard
J.K. Khalil
Division President,East Arabia,Mastercard
Itinerary
Day 1 Friday, 05 September
- Arrivals & Car service to hotel
- 19:00 – Welcome reception at Westin Hotel
Day 2 Saturday, 06 September
- 7:00 – Breakfast at hotel
- 8:30 – Business sessions
- 11:00 – Transfer to F1 Circuit
- 15:00 – Monza Grand Prix 2025
- 19:00 – Transfer to hotel
Day 3 Sunday, 07 September
- 7:00 – Breakfast at hotel
- 8:30 Business sessions
- 12:30 Transfer to F1 Circuit
- 16:00 – Qualifications
- TBC Paddock Garage Tour
- 19:00 Transfer to hotel
Day 4 Monday, 08 September
- 7:00 – Breakfast
- 10:00 – Departures
Business Agenda
- All event sessions will be held in Verdi Meeting room, Lobby level, Westin Hotel
Theme: Future Rewritten
In a world defined by constant acceleration, Mastercard isn’t reacting to change, but engineering what’s next.
Like a Formula 1 team fine-tuning every move, Mastercard is navigating complexity with clarity, speed, and purpose. From shifting global dynamics to evolving consumer expectations and the rise of intelligent technologies, the pace is relentless. But with speed comes opportunity.
“Future. Rewritten” is a call to action to lead with intent, challenge convention, and design what is next—today. In this race, together, we don’t just keep up. We set the pace.
Saturday, September 5, 2025
- Registration
- Opening Remarks: Rewriting the Future Together
- Speaker: Adam Jones
- Securing the Future: Trust, Technology, and Resilience in a Digital World
- Speaker: Johan Gerber, Executive Vice President and Head of Security Solutions at Mastercard Hosted by: Adam
- Economic Outlook 2025: Signals, Shocks & Strategy
- Speaker: Khatija Haque, Chief Economist, EEMEA. Mastercard Economics Institute
- Keynote: The Future is Now – Leading Through Transformation
- Speaker: Joe DiVanna, Islamic finance, banking innovation, and Middle East strategy Hosted by J.K.
- Coffee Break
- Decoding the Digital Consumer
- Speaker: Selin Bahadirli, EVP, Services, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa.
- Priceless in Action
- Speaker: Ahmed Abdel Karim, EVP, Marketing and Communications, EEMEA, Mastercard
- Closing by Emcee
- Freshen-Up Break
- Departure to Circuit
- Bilateral Meetings at McLaren Priceless Lounge
Sunday, September 6, 2025
- Registration
- Opening Remarks
- Speaker: J.K
- Unlocking Regional Growth: Market Development Strategies for EEMEA in a Disrupted World
- Speaker: Mete Guney, EVP, Market Development, EEMEA, Mastercard
- The Future of Payments – From Invisible to Intelligent
- Speaker: Prakriti Singh, EVP, Core Payments, EEMEA, Mastercard
- Trust, Tech & Tomorrow – Building for What’s Next
- Speaker: Moderated by Mohammed Assem and Gina TBD - (WA & EA) business team to recommend customers list Sachin Chandar – ENBD EA (TBC) Nada Tarada – iLA / Suhail Salman – JKB (TBC) WA (TBC)
- Closing by Adam & JK then Coffee break
- Coffee & Freshen-Up Break
- Departure to Circuit
- Bilateral meetings
Speakers
About Milan
Welcome to Milan—a city where the past and future walk side by side.
From the intricate spires of the Duomo to the sleek towers of Porta Nuova, Milan is a place where centuries of artistry and architecture meet the pulse of modern innovation. It’s a city that doesn’t just preserve its legacy—it reinvents it.
As Italy’s capital of fashion, finance, and design, Milan is constantly evolving. It’s home to global brands, visionary thinkers, and a culture that celebrates both refinement and reinvention. The city’s streets echo with history, yet its energy is unmistakably forward-looking—reflected in its creative industries, culinary scene, and bold urban transformation.
Whether it’s the elegance of its historic districts, the inspiration of its design culture, or the momentum of its business landscape, Milan offers a setting that is as dynamic as it is timeless.
Arrivals
From the Airport
You will arrive at Milan Malpensa Airport, where a member of the Mastercard Hospitality Team will welcome you at the arrival hall (following passport and baggage claim).
Kindly make yourselves known to the team and follow their instructions. Our team is aware of your arrival time, and should there be any delays with your flight, we will try our best to adapt to your schedule accordingly.
Depending on traffic, it will take about 30 minutes to reach the Westin Hotel.
Arrivals
From the Airport
You will arrive at Milan Malpensa Airport, where a member of the Mastercard Hospitality Team will welcome you at the arrival hall (following passport and baggage claim).
Kindly make yourselves known to the team and follow their instructions. Our team is aware of your arrival time, and should there be any delays with your flight, we will try our best to adapt to your schedule accordingly.
Depending on traffic, it will take about 30 minutes to reach the Westin Hotel.
The Westin Hotel
The Westin Hotel
Piazza della Repubblica 20, 20124 Milan, Italy.
Located in the heart of Milan’s Porta Nuova district, the Westin Palace Milan is a five-star hotel that blends classical elegance with contemporary comfort. With its iconic red marble façade and recently renovated interiors, the hotel offers a refined setting for both rest and inspiration.
Check-in & Room Reservation
Hotel Check-in is 3:00PM. Rooms might not be ready in case of early arrival. We’ll do our best to accommodate you but appreciate your patience in case the hotel needs time to get it.
Hotel rooms are booked for single use. If you have a person sharing with you, additional charges will apply and added to your room balance for you to kindly settle upon checkout. Please let the team know in advance to ensure availability.
Arrival
Upon arrival, another Mastercard hostess will welcome guests at a Mastercard dedicated welcome desk in the lobby of the Westin Hotel.
Monza Grand Prix
Set in the lush parklands just outside Milan, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza is more than a racetrack—it’s a proving ground for performance, precision, and bold decision-making. Built in 1922 and revered as one of the fastest circuits in Formula 1, Monza is affectionately known as La Pista Magica—The Magic Track.
With cars on full throttle for nearly 80% of the lap and reaching speeds over 350 km/h on the 1.1 km main straight, Monza is a masterclass in velocity and control. Drivers must navigate a series of high-speed straights and tight chicanes, demanding not only technical excellence but also strategic foresight.
Departure
Hotel Checkout
Your check out should be completed before 12:00pm at the hotel reception. It is at the check out that you will be kindly asked to pay for your possible extras.
Transfer to the Airport
A Mastercard car will take you to the airport 3 hours before your flight to ensure a smooth return back home.
The planning has been done in such a way to allow you to catch your plane safely and on time, even in case of unforeseen events such as traffic jams.
Event Information
Transport, Ticketing and Circuit Information
Transportation
Guests are to meet at the lobby of the hotel at the indicated time each day for organised transfers to the circuit and back
Departure on Saturday, September 6th: 12h00 (Meeting at the Lobby at 11h30)
Departure on Sunday, September 7th: 11h00 (Meeting at the Lobby at 10h45)
Circuit Address
Autodromo Nazionale Monza – Viale di Vedano, 5, 20900 Monza MB, Italy
Paddock Club Ticket
Paddock Club ticket will be given each day prior departing to circuit
Additional information
Dress Code
- Business Session: Casual/comfortable.
- Italian Grand Prix : Smart casual, comfortable closed-toed footwear advised as periods of walking are required.
Important Documentation
Next to your hotel key, it is important to have your national ID card or passport on you at all times, especially during highly monitored international events.
Climate Information
The weather in Monza in September is mildly cool and humid but cool, with average highs of 74°F (24°C) and lows of 57°F (14°C).
Special Requests
If you have any special requests (e.g. dietary requirements), please specify them beforehand. We will do our very best to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible. If you have restricted mobility, disabilities, special needs or care requirements, you should specify it as well so that we can make a full assessment.
Additional information
Dress Code
- Business Session: Casual/comfortable.
- Italian Grand Prix : Smart casual, comfortable closed-toed footwear advised as periods of walking are required.
Important Documentation
Next to your hotel key, it is important to have your national ID card or passport on you at all times, especially during highly monitored international events.
Climate Information
The weather in Monza in September is mildly cool and humid but cool, with average highs of 74°F (24°C) and lows of 57°F (14°C).
Special Requests
If you have any special requests (e.g. dietary requirements), please specify them beforehand. We will do our very best to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible. If you have restricted mobility, disabilities, special needs or care requirements, you should specify it as well so that we can make a full assessment.
FAQs
The venue staff will manage any emergencies in the hotel and you should follow their directions. You are advised to familiarize yourself with the emergency exit routes
Hotel check-in is generally at 3:00pm. If you arrive at your hotel before the official check-in time and your room is not available, you will be able to leave your luggage at the Mastercard welcome desk or reception. Unfortunately, early check-ins and late checkouts may not be possible during the weekend.
All guests should check out of their rooms in the morning of departure by 12:00 latest. Please settle any personal hotel costs when you check out.
A general Wi-Fi is available for free in the hotel. However, you may need to reconnect every 24h.
It is forbidden to smoke inside the hotel.
Your passport or ID is indispensable when you travel, and also when you will be in Italy; you might be asked to show it at some point. Don’t forget your phone and computer chargers if you want to be reachable at any time. In case you are currently following any medical treatment, make sure you bring all the medicines you need.
Every care is taken to ensure your dietary requirements and food allergies are catered for. Please note that you should only advise us of specific dietary needs, not personal preferences or likes and dislikes.
All meals stated within the program itinerary are provided as part of your experience, starting upon arrival at the hotel until breakfast on your departure date. However, you will have to pay for all extra food & beverages that are not included in the itinerary, or menu from the restaurants, snacks, drinks at the hotel bar or mini bar in the room, room service or in the streets during your free time.
It is not possible to divulge the different menus that the chefs will prepare for you. If you have any dietary restriction, you can advise us of your dietary requirements and any restrictions during the registration process.
The currency in Italy is Euros, and all major credit and debit cards are widely accepted. ATMs (cash dispensers) are in banks, post offices, train stations, supermarkets and other public places.
If you want to modify your schedule or skip some activities, please inform us and check with us for the feasibility of your request.