Randa Bdeir is a recognized leader in electronic payments and credit card technology in the MENA region.
Bdeir pioneered the introduction of the card-issuing business in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt. She played a key role in introducing e-payment solutions to the merchants and developed their e-commerce business in those markets.
Being result-focused, turning around and restructuring businesses has been her forte. She has a solid track record in building digital payments and introducing innovative products and services in the GCC region.
Bdeir was the first Arab woman to serve on the Board of Directors of MasterCard Worldwide for Middle East & Africa region starting from 2000 until 2018.
In recognition of her leadership and vision throughout a career spanning more than 30 years, she was appointed as a member to the Global Advisory Board for Technology for MasterCard Worldwide (2019 -2023).
In January 2023, she has been appointed to be part of the Mastercard MENA Executive Council (MMEC) which objective is to advance the development of innovative payment solutions in the MENA region.
Bdeir is currently Deputy General Manager and Head of Electronic Payment Solutions & Card Technology at Credit Libanais Bank (Lebanon) where she worked on restructuring their card business and on their digital transformation process, thus, achieving a significant growth despite the challenging circumstances the Lebanese market is going through.
Previously, she was Head of e-Payment Solutions and Card Services at Bank Audi (Lebanon). Under her leadership, Bank Audi’s credit card business grew exponentially from a team of 20 with a $3m annual loss, and 1% market share to a team of 150, $40m yearly profit and a market share of 47%.
Her strategic initiatives significantly enhanced the bank’s position not only as a market leader but also and most importantly as an innovator in the electronic payments industry. This significant growth resulted in one-of-a-kind carve out of the business and its sale in 2018 to achieve a successful exit.
At Bank Audi, Bdeir led major transformation programs, such as Tap2Pay; a breakthrough in NFC payments technology, which went on to win the Best Contactless Solution Award; “Cloud Pay Platform”, a converged ewallet that embraces the future of digital payments through HCE technology; and E-Gallery, the first innovation platform aggregating future payment trends.
Prior to this experience, she started her career as a Marketing and Business Development Director at Fransabank (Lebanon) where she introduced a collection of payment solutions that contributed to the widespread of card usage in the country, making a big impact on the growth of a cashless society.
Bdeir holds a number of board and advisory positions and has served on various regional and international juries.
She is a member of the Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut (AUB) and served as a Juror for the years of 2020 , 2022 and 2025 “Darwazah Startup Accelerate” competition launched by the Olayan School of Business at AUB.
In 2017, Bdeir established the “Randa Bdeir Leadership Award” at AUB in Recognition of Outstanding Leadership in Supporting the Careers of Women.
Bdeir has received a number of prestigious accolades and awards, including being elected a MasterCard Champion for her significant contribution to MasterCard’s business growth; being recognized by the Arab Banking Conference as the best Arab woman contributor to the credit card payment system in the Arab world; receiving the Loyalty Leader of the Year Award at the "Marketing Show – Middle East" for her innovation in the various categories of loyalty programs; and receiving the Best Use of Innovative Technology Award.
in Dec 2021 she was awarded by the World Union of Arab Banks “the Excellence in Digitization of Government Payments”.
Recently, she received the ‘Digital Onboarding Innovation’ award from Codebase in 2023, recognizing her exceptional achievements and significant contributions to enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of onboarding through technology.
Additionally, in 2024, she was honored with a certificate from Visa on the occasion of International Women’s Day, acknowledging her inspirational and exemplary contributions to the financial sector.
Bdeir holds three degrees from the American University of Beirut and has participated in several executive programs at Stanford University and at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
MASTERCARD INNOVATION FORUM (CONNECTING TOMORROW)
Financial Board (Digital Banking)
Seamless Payments Middle East
Total Telecom Congress
MasterCard Innovation Forum
Cartes et Identifications (Organized by Cartes)
MasterCard Innovation Forum
Mobile World Congress
Loyalty World Europe 2013 (Organized by Terrapinn)
French Arab Banking Forum (Organized by Union of Arab Banks)
Prepaid Summit (Organized by VRL Financial News)
New Arab Women Forum (Organized by Al Iktissad Wal Aaamal)
Welcome Real Time Customer Summit (Organized by Welcome company for loyalty solution)
Women in Leadership (Organized by Naseba Group)
Social Media World Middle East (Organized by Terrapin)
3rd Business Women Forum in Islamic Countries (Organized by Qatari Businessmen Association and Ministry of Economy and Commerce and Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry.)
The New Arab Woman Forum (Organized by Al Iktissad Wal A3mal)
Loyalty World Europe
MasterCard APMEA Product Conference and Technology Fair
Fifth Annual MasterCard Prepaid Forum
Leaders in Dubai Forum
Loyalty World Europe Forum
Deputy General Manager and Head of the Electronic Payment Solutions & Card Technology division
Advisor to Chairman and CEO of Bank Audi Group
Assistant General Manager, Group Head of E- Payment solutions and Card Services (reporting directly to the Group CEO).
Marketing & Business Development Director
On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2018, Ms. Randa Bdeir was awarded an Excellence Award from the Arab Women’s Council. The ceremony took place on March 2018 at Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth.
In her acceptance speech, Ms. Bdeir described any woman who has reached a high position in the business world in the Arab World as a hero.
For Ms. Bdeir, a journey begins with a woman’s self-confidence and her ability to face challenges that can help her break the glass ceiling imposed on her.
“Women are passionate leaders, energetic, confident, determined, and curious,” said Ms. Bdeir. “They love life and actively craft it to create happiness around them”.