Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President, Market Development, EEMEA at Mastercard urges big multinationals, the top VC firm’s CEOs pledge to accelerate action as mission critical
What are your views on this year’s IWD 2025 theme “Accelerate Action”, how can we truly achieve diversity and inclusion in the workplace?
Amnah Ajmal: I don’t think the themes matter. It’s a good theme. However I would like to see the big multinationals, the top VC firm’s CEOs pledge to change and believe it from the deepest part of their heart that this is mission critical to do.
Can you share your journey into the tech world and what inspired you to pursue this, where did it all start?
Amnah Ajmal: It all started from failure. My parents wanted me to study medicine. I didn’t get good grades in biology. Every medical school rejected me. I wanted to join a FMCG and all big firms rejected me. Citi was the only organization that gave me a job. I started my career in financial services. I loved it. Reached the position I always wanted to head a bank in a big country. Left within 6 months of becoming a CEO as I thought it wasn’t what I wanted to do. Changed countries and companies. Entered payments and technology.
Who would you consider your role model, someone who constantly inspires you? (Does not really have to be from the professional world only, can be someone at home too ☺️)
Amnah Ajmal: My teams have always inspired me. I have always considered them my inspiration tank. Now my children. They inspire me and keep me grounded.
Rapid Fire (Let’s get to know you more)
- Dinner with a famous personality, who would it be? Bill Gates.
- One skill you wish you could learn instantly? Speaking Spanish as my kids are bilingual.
- Android or Apple? 😃 Apple
- WhatsApp or Telegram? What’s app
- Phone call or text message/email? None. What’s app message.
- Beaches or Mountains? Mountains
- Coffee or Tea? Tea
- Early Bird or Night owl? Night owl but changing it now
- Books or Movies? Books
- Winter or Summer? Winter
- Online shopping or in-store shopping? Online
What advice would you give to women starting off their careers, aspiring to enter the tech/business field?
Amnah Ajmal: Career and biological clock run in parallel. Try to delay having kids. Maybe freeze your eggs. Once you are in middle management. You have a good team. It’s easy to delegate to balance childcare responsibilities and you get good support at work for administrative tasks like an assistant.
