Mastercard Appoints Yasemin Bedir as EEMEA President
Mastercard has appointed Yasemin Bedir as president for Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA), overseeing 81 countries in some of the world’s fastest-growing payments markets. Bedir will also join Mastercard’s Management Committee, operating from the UAE.
Her responsibilities include setting strategy and managing performance across diverse markets, from Gulf sovereign payment initiatives to African mobile-money ecosystems and Eastern European economies facing geopolitical and regulatory challenges. She will manage relationships with banks, fintechs, retailers, governments, and corporate clients as Mastercard expands in emerging economies.
Bedir’s career at Mastercard began in 2007 as Head of Sales for South East Europe. She later led operations in Turkey and Azerbaijan, served as EVP for processors and banks in North America, and most recently spent four years as Divisional President for Eastern Europe. Before joining Mastercard, she held roles at HSBC, Garanti BBVA, and Yapı Kredi.
During her time in Eastern Europe, Bedir managed a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty and regulatory complexity, strengthening Mastercard’s position in volatile markets. This experience is now being applied across the broader EEMEA region, where local knowledge and deep relationships are critical to success.
For individuals and businesses in these markets, Bedir’s appointment could mean more tailored payment solutions and stronger economic growth, as her focus on local expertise aligns with the region’s diverse needs.
“Yasemin is a leader who finds the best in her teams to help them deliver the greatest impact for our customers and to fuel local economies,” said Sachin Mehra, Chief Business Officer at Mastercard. “This is a vast and complex region that demands creative thinking, proven results, and strong relationships. Yasemin has delivered that throughout her career.”
Bedir succeeds Dimitrios Dosis, who has moved to the newly created role of Chief Commercial Payments Officer. In her expanded position, she will focus on driving innovation, partnerships, and revenue growth across one of the payments industry’s most dynamic regions.
“I’ve been inspired by the teams here at Mastercard,” Bedir said. “Their resilience, innovative spirit, and relentless dedication to meet and exceed customer needs is what powers our impact every day. Together, we will build on the strong foundation the regional team has created under Dimi’s leadership over the past five years.”
