Visa Appoints Michelle Gethers-Clark As Chief Diversity Officer

Payment technology company Visa has appointed Michelle Gethers-Clark as its chief diversity officer and head of Corporate Responsibility.

Gethers-Clark will join Visa’s Executive Committee and will report to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Al Kelly. In the role, she will lead Visa’s inclusion, diversity, social impact, and sustainability efforts globally.

Gethers-Clark will work to ensure Visa’s organization and culture are inclusive. She will also manage initiatives to enhance Visa’s commitment to being a responsible, ethical, and sustainable company. Additionally, the Long Island University graduate will oversee Visa’s social media impact efforts to drive equitable economic growth, with a focus on small and microbusinesses.

Kelly said in a statement that he’s excited for Gethers-Clark to join the company and help it continue to serve its customers, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, and religion.

“As a global, purpose-led company we are guided by the belief that economies that include everyone, everywhere will uplift everyone, everywhere. Michelle has tremendous leadership experience closely aligning inclusion and diversity, social impact and philanthropic initiatives to business objectives and producing transformational results. We are very excited for Michelle to join our team and help us to continue to drive positive impact within Visa and around the world.”

Gethers-Clark previously served as president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Greensboro, N.C. Prior to that, she spent two decades at American Express, holding various senior roles including internal audits, risk management, and led regional philanthropic and social impact initiatives. She eventually was named senior vice president and general manager of Card Operations.

“It is my honor to join the Visa team and lead our strategic inclusion and diversity, social impact and sustainability efforts globally,” Gethers-Clark said in a statement. “I bring to this role a passion for partnering with internal and external team members to continue bringing to life what this work can mean for our company, our customers and our communities around the world.”