Bill Gajda is the Global Head of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, responsible for VISA’s Innovation programs and activities in Europe and CEMEA. He is also responsible for Visa’s global relationships with Mobile Operators and leads the ‘VISA Ready’ and Venture Capital programs. He began at VISA as the Global Head for VISA Mobile, responsible for VISA’s mobile product and commercial strategies and activities.

Prior to joining VISA, he was Chief Commercial Officer for the GSMA. In this role he was responsible for business development, as well as led the GSMA’s Mobile Money, Mobile Innovation, Mobile Advertising and Strategic Partner Programs.  Bill was previously Chief Marketing Officer at the GSMA, where he was responsible for the Mobile World Congress, as well as marketing, corporate communications and member services.

He has held other executive positions elsewhere in the telecom sector, including: Vice President, Corporate and Marketing Communications for TELUS Corporation, Vice President, Communications for Bell Canada International  and Global Brand Director for Ericsson in Stockholm.  His first career was in the Canadian public service, where he directed communications on constitutional affairs, international trade and environmental issues.

Bill serves as an Advisory Board Member at Apigee Corporation and Danal Inc.

Bill majored in Classics and History at the University of Alberta, and obtained an MBA from the University of Chicago.