Joseph Saunders

Joseph Saunders is the former chairman and CEO of Visa, one of the world’s largest and most recognizable brands. He is credited with transforming it into one of the most preeminent organizations, and during his tenure, Saunders strengthened Visa’s position as the leading payments technology company. More than $1.2 trillion worth of U.S. transactions were rung up on Visa credit and debit cards in the first six months of 2012, and the company connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments in more than 200 countries and territories across the globe.

Under his leadership, the company completed the largest initial public offering in U.S. history and had a stellar track record of financial performance. Visa held its IPO during the recession, but, despite harsh economic conditions, its stock price did not sink below its original offering. Saunders also built on Visa’s history of innovation, diversifying and expanding its business and product offerings. He offers audiences a unique opportunity to hear straightforward, thought-provoking, and impressive stories and insights about leading change, the trends and technology that will affect business strategy in the years ahead, and the global marketplace.

Leading Visa’s Success. When Saunders took the helm at Visa, he successfully combined several independent entities – including operating units in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East – into a single global company. Since the Saunders-led IPO, Visa has had a stellar track record of financial performance. In the midst of the country’s economic challenges, he directed Visa toward strong operational and financial performance, all while delivering excellent results for shareholders. Visa also consistently exceeded analysts’ expectations for each earnings period. The financial community has praised the resilience of the company’s business model, diverse product set, and senior leadership’s ongoing commitment to expense management.