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).

 

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Developing & Managing a Successful Technology & Product Strategy
executive education, 2003
The Corporate Entrepreneur Driving innovation and new ventures
executive position, 2017
Advanced negotiations & Deal Making Strategies
executive position, 2015
Strategy & Organization Executive Program
executive position, 2014
Effective Use of Power
executive position, 2010
Strategic Use of information Technology
executive position, 2004
Marketing Management Program
executive position, 1997
Masters Degree in Money & Banking
academic education, 1993
Masters Candidate in Sociology
academic education, 1986
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
academic education, 1980

MASTERCARD INNOVATION FORUM (CONNECTING TOMORROW)

Barcelona, 2018
 Barcelona

Financial Board (Digital Banking)

Las Vegas, 2017
Las Vegas

Seamless Payments Middle East

Dubai, 2017
Dubai

Total Telecom Congress

London, 2016
London

MasterCard Innovation Forum

Kuala Lumpur, 2015
Kuala Lumpur

Cartes et Identifications (Organized by Cartes)

Paris , 2014
Paris

MasterCard Innovation Forum

Singapore, 2014
Singapore

Mobile World Congress

Barcelona, 2014
Barcelona

Loyalty World Europe 2013 (Organized by Terrapinn)

London, 2013
London

French Arab Banking Forum (Organized by Union of Arab Banks)

France , 2012
France

Prepaid Summit (Organized by VRL Financial News)

Milan & Dubai, 2011
Milan & Dubai

New Arab Women Forum (Organized by Al Iktissad Wal Aaamal)

Beirut, 2010
Beirut

Welcome Real Time Customer Summit (Organized by Welcome company for loyalty solution)

Paris, 2010
Paris

Women in Leadership (Organized by Naseba Group)

Abu Dhabi, 2010
Abu Dhabi

Social Media World Middle East (Organized by Terrapin)

Abu Dhabi, 2010
Abu Dhabi

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.) 

Doha, Qatar, 2008
Doha, Qatar

The New Arab Woman Forum (Organized by Al Iktissad Wal A3mal)

Dubai, 2008
Dubai

Loyalty World Europe

London, 2008
London

MasterCard APMEA Product Conference and Technology Fair

Singapore, 2008
Singapore

Fifth Annual MasterCard Prepaid Forum

Miami, 2007
Miami

Leaders in Dubai Forum

Dubai, 2007
Dubai

Loyalty World Europe Forum

London, 2005
London

Deputy General Manager and Head of the Electronic Payment Solutions & Card Technology division 

May 2018 - To Date
2018 - date

Advisor to Chairman and CEO of Bank Audi Group

Feb. 2017 - Feb. 2018
2017 - 2018

Assistant General Manager, Group Head of E- Payment solutions and Card Services (reporting directly to the Group CEO).

2004 - 2017
2004 - 2007

Marketing & Business Development Director

1993 - 2004
1993 - 2004