Mastercard has appointed Vanshi Kotru as Vice President, Enablers and Digital Acceptance Partnerships, EEMEA, effective September 2026. Kotru will be based in Dubai and takes on the role after serving as Director, Enablers and Digital Acceptance Partnerships for EEMEA.
Kotru has spent more than six years at Mastercard. Her roles have covered digital payments, market leadership and strategic partnerships across the EEMEA region.
Vanshi Kotru’s Mastercard career
Before her latest appointment, Kotru served as Director, Enablers and Digital Acceptance Partnerships, EEMEA, from September 2025. She previously held the role of Director, Strategic Global Partnerships, Digital, EEMEA, from June 2022 to August 2025.
In that role, Kotru led the regional EEMEA strategy for global digital payment partners. She also drove commercialisation and go to market activities to scale digital solutions across the region.
Earlier, Kotru served as Digital Products Market Lead for the UAE, Pakistan, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman. She held the position from January to May 2022.
She joined Mastercard in January 2020 as Digital Payments & Labs Lead, Merchants, MENA. She held that position until December 2021.
Partnerships experience across Emirates Group
Kotru joined Emirates Group in 2011 and held several roles over more than eight years. Her experience there included partnerships, supplier management, sourcing and demand management.
As Partnerships Manager, Digital, Kotru was responsible for global strategic partnerships and supplier management for Emirates Group’s digital landscape. Her work included supplier account plans, executive business reviews and joint innovation opportunities.
Previously, she served as Partnerships Controller. In that role, she set up the Partnerships department to manage more than 400 supplier relationships, contracts and offerings for Emirates Group entities.
Earlier career and education
Before joining Emirates Group, Kotru spent nearly five years at Tata Consultancy Services. She worked as an Engagement Change Manager and Business Analyst across India, Canada and France.
As an Engagement Change Manager, Kotru led change consulting for key clients. Earlier, as a Business Analyst, she focused on banking software solutions.
Kotru holds an MBA from HEC Paris, which she completed between 2009 and 2011. She also holds a Bachelor of Technology from Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University.
Focus on digital acceptance partnerships
In her announcement, Kotru said the expanded mandate will focus on continuing to learn, leading with curiosity and working with her team and stakeholders. She also highlighted the aim of creating meaningful impact for customers and the wider payments ecosystem.
Kotru thanked colleagues, sponsors and leaders who supported her career at Mastercard. She also acknowledged the role of partners and their collaboration throughout her work with the company.
Her appointment follows a progression through Mastercard roles covering digital payments, digital products and strategic partnerships across EEMEA.
