Rafal Trepka is an experienced leader who has been at the helm of Mastercard in Central Asia for the past several years. We learned about the values the company is cultivating in the region and how it supports its employees.
Rafal Trepka, city — Almaty, General Director of Mastercard in Central Asia, linkedin
On career and company development
I am a business development specialist, and this is my primary function, regardless of the position I hold.
I received a solid education in my native country, Poland. I often emphasize this fact in conversations with young people: valuable knowledge can be acquired without traveling far. Quality education is also attainable in Kazakhstan.
In 2009, I started my career at Mastercard in Poland as a Manager for Relations and Business Development. During this time, many of the products we use today were evolving: contactless payments, mobile wallets, various banking solutions. It's fascinating to observe which solutions have endured in the market.
Later, I relocated to London, overseeing the development of loyalty programs and other products in European countries. Prague was my next work destination, where I spent over four years managing payment acceptance.
In 2020, I accepted the offer to become the General Manager of Mastercard in Central Asia. I am responsible for all company activities in the region, including team development, business growth, and forging new relationships. I became the first Country Manager to move to Kazakhstan. Thanks to my extensive experience, I can effectively represent the company. Knowledge of the Russian language allows me to communicate better, and in the future, I plan to learn Kazakh.
Fifty years ago, Mastercard began as a payment processing company. Today, the organization has evolved into a global technology company in the payment industry. We ensure secure, simple, and accessible transactions, promote the digital economy in 210 countries, and create services and solutions for cardholders, businesses, and governments.
I take pride in the fact that over the years of my work, we have built a strong team. What was once a small office in Almaty has transformed into a hub from which we support other countries in Central Asia. Thanks to our efforts, almost all banks in Kazakhstan are connected to the Mastercard system. We are also fostering partnerships with banks in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
We adhere to the concept of Glocal: taking global solutions and localizing them in Central Asia. This includes the implementation of Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, and Tap on Phone technology, which turns a phone into a POS terminal.
On corporate culture
For those in search of employment or considering a career change, I always advise: start by understanding the company's vision and mission. Don't limit yourself to the job description; pay special attention to the company's values. They will help you grasp how the company achieves its goals.
One of Mastercard's key values is Partnership and Trust. When you join the company, you don't need to "earn" trust over time; you receive it immediately. However, it's crucial to work in a way that preserves that trust.
Mastercard adopts a flat structure with no strict hierarchy, tied to the second value — Ownership. Every employee, whether in a senior or junior position, has their own project for which they are responsible. While there is always managerial support, each person manages everything at their level. This fosters independence and self-confidence in employees.
Growing within the company and doing so together is important to us — Grow Together. There is much to learn from every project. Even after so many years, it feels like I joined the company recently because I am constantly learning and discovering new things.
The world is changing rapidly. Therefore, in the company, we launch projects swiftly, applying innovative approaches to make them even better.
Adhering to the company motto "Doing well by doing good," we implement development programs for small and medium-sized businesses, provide education for children, and focus on activities for girls aged 8-12 who can, in the future, contribute to female entrepreneurship. We collaborate with student organizations, support youth, offer internships for students, and provide them with valuable experience.
In our corporate culture, there is a concept called the Decency Quotient, meaning "Act as you would like your colleagues to treat you."
The company also focuses on ESG. We have adopted a program to achieve zero CO2 emissions by 2040 and to eliminate cards made from primary plastic by 2028. We've introduced the Carbon Calculator to track the carbon footprint of purchases and support the Priceless Planet Coalition's initiative to plant 100 million trees.
What a leader should be
The definition of the word "Leader" varies for each person. For me, it consists of three parts: the local culture of Kazakhstan, the global values of Mastercard, and my personal passions.
I enjoy the process of managing various activities, I see myself more as a conductor in a well-orchestrated ensemble. We have numerous global goals that we localize for Kazakhstan. Each team member knows their role and responsibilities. As the team leader, I oversee overall development and can provide timely advice. At the same time, I expect specialists in different departments to have more expertise in their areas than I do, whether it's in marketing, communications, or card products.
My task is to allocate the responsibilities of each team member and monitor the overall process for the efficient achievement of the goal.
The requirements for leaders differ in various companies, depending on the organization's goals and Key Performance Indicators: financial indicators may be crucial for some, while others prioritize processes or personnel.
One of the most important qualities for a leader at Mastercard is the ability to build relationships with various partners: government officials, second-tier banks, associations, and fintech companies. It's essential to find common ground with each, a point of intersection in what you can collaboratively do for the business and the country you operate in.
For a leader at the regional level, flexibility is vital. Central Asian countries are close to each other, but each has its own peculiarities. Being able to adapt solutions to local markets is crucial.
A team leader needs to identify the strengths of their employees and utilize them effectively. Therefore, emotional intelligence is another crucial quality.
On advantages and challenges
I enjoy the process of achieving common goals. When colleagues and I develop plans, allocate roles, and gradually move towards the final result, it binds the team together and makes it stronger. This enables us to tackle increasingly complex tasks and successfully accomplish them.
The biggest challenge is the responsibility — for people, business metrics, and everything happening in the company.
On time management
Everyone establishes their own convenient balance between work and personal life. Some enjoy traveling, while others prefer spending time with family or a favorite book.
Mastercard places careful emphasis on the concept of Work-Life Balance. The company has long had a practice of remote work.
Planning well in advance for the long term helps me. I envision what I will be doing in three years and break down the current month into weeks. This enables me to proactively allocate time for work meetings or vacations.
I strive to use free time effectively — spending more time with my children and spouse, exploring the surroundings of Almaty, and making time for sports, self-improvement, reading, learning new skills, and hobbies.
On plans
We continue to build the Mastercard hub in Kazakhstan. Recruiting people into the team and supporting various projects with government bodies, second-tier banks, and financial organizations.
We support the development of innovative technologies: blockchain, decentralized finance, metaverse. We focus on the adoption of biometrics, advancements in 5G, and the utilization of Big Data and artificial intelligence. Ensuring the convenience and security of transactions is important to us.
The company's brand is historically linked to the slogan: "There are some things money can't buy. For everything else, there's Mastercard." We promote and reinforce this understanding in Kazakhstan.
We look optimistically toward the future of fintech in Kazakhstan and the region. There is ample room for activity and many sectors where new technologies can be implemented. The company is ready to assist all interested market players with its expertise and solutions.
