In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to education, public health, and economic empowerment, Mastercard Foundation CEO Reeta Roy was named the inaugural recipient of the Ashesi University Medal. The award, the highest the University can confer, was presented to Roy on June 5, 2025, during the year’s Commencement Ceremony.
The Ashesi medal is awarded to those who significantly demonstrate Ashesi’s values of scholarship, leadership, and citizenship in the world and who have acted in service of our mission and work in Africa through their scholarship, philanthropy, or service. It is conferred by the University’s Board of Directors.
Named on Time Magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential Leaders in Philanthropy in 2025, Roy’s work with the Mastercard Foundation has profoundly transformed higher education and health access for millions in Africa.
Born in Malaysia to a multicultural family, and a beneficiary of scholarships that helped her complete her education, Roy’s early life experiences instilled in her a profound appreciation for listening to diverse perspectives and the transformative power of education opportunity. She has translated those experiences into a career defined by meaningful, enduring impact.
Since 2008, under her leadership, the Mastercard Foundation has grown into one of the largest private foundations globally. The Foundation’s mission to advance education and financial inclusion, particularly across Africa and among Indigenous communities in Canada has positively transformed millions of lives.
Early in her tenure, Roy made the bold decision to champion and focus the Foundation’s programming in Africa. She immersed herself in learning directly from African entrepreneurs, educators, and communities. Her hands-on, collaboration-driven approach forged numerous transformative partnerships, significantly enhancing the landscape of higher education and talent development across the continent. The Mastercard Foundation’s work with universities and organisations, including Ashesi, now serves as a guide for others in philanthropy.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Roy’s commitment to Africa was further exemplified through the Foundation’s decisive and impactful response. Recognizing the urgent need for equitable vaccine access, she led the creation of the Mastercard Foundation’s $1.5 billion partnership with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention—the groundbreaking “Saving Lives and Livelihoods” initiative. And throughout the duration of the global pandemic, Reeta Roy chose to remain physically present in Africa, instead of returning home to North America – an act of profound solidarity with the people of Africa.
Watch: Reeta Roy Receives Ashesi University Medal
Today, the Mastercard Foundation’s programs have equipped over 55 million young people with essential work-enabling skills, supported nearly 19 million entrepreneurs, and enabled nearly 15 million young people to secure employment. Specifically, the Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative trained, equipped, and deployed 40,000 health workers, significantly increasing adult vaccination rates across the continent from 3% to 53% while creating foundational healthcare infrastructure and networks.
In awarding her the inaugural Ashesi Medal, we honor Roy’s extraordinary contributions to education, public health, and economic empowerment. We also celebrate a leader whose life and work exemplify ethical action, courageous leadership, and a profound belief in Africa’s potential.
This article was originally published on the Ashesi University website on June 7, 2025.
