MasterCard and Smart Hub JV appoints Tara Nathan CEO

Nathan to further accelerate m-commerce strategies globally from MasterCard Mobile Payments Gateway headquarters in Singapore.

MasterCard Worldwide on Monday announced that Tara Nathan has been named Chief Executive Officer of the joint venture recently launched with Smart Hub, Inc., effective July 26.

Headquartered in Singapore, Ms. Nathan will be responsible for the global innovation and commercial development of the MasterCard Mobile Payments Gateway, an open mobile payment processing platform designed to facilitate mobile payments for consumers around the world, particularly important in emerging economies for consumers who currently do not have access to modern forms of commerce. She will also oversee the first launch scheduled in Brazil with Itaú Unibanco and Redecard, along with mobile network operator Vivo, according to a Mastercard report.

“Tara brings a wealth of experience in the global payments arena and we look forward to her joining the team,” said Josh Peirez, Chief Innovation Officer for MasterCard. “Her experience in banking and emerging markets is invaluable as we work to grow our mobile payments services around the world.”

Most recently, Nathan headed Citigroup’s Citicards cross-sell business, where her career spanned seven years. Nathan also brings extensive global experience, having spent 7 years in the U.S. Foreign Service in Taiwan, Japan and China.

Ms. Nathan earned a BSFS from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service and an MBA from The Wharton School of Business.