On the shortlist: Anna Kollar

Anna Kollar, Senior Analyst in Mastercard’s Strategic Growth team, has been shortlisted for the Future Leader Award for her outstanding impact early in her career. In her role, she drives initiatives at the intersection of technology, geopolitics, and business — from global risk analysis to executive-level strategic reporting — helping to shape high-impact decisions across the organisation.

Beyond her core responsibilities, Anna is passionate about financial literacy and social inclusion. She led a digital financial literacy campaign in Hungary that reached more than 1,500 students, and she continues to champion STEM education and opportunities for young people.

Within Mastercard, she plays a key leadership role in the Women Leadership Network, co-leading a workstream that partners with charities such as Smart Works and Wellbeing of Women to empower underrepresented women through mentoring, volunteering, and fundraising. Her work reflects not only professional excellence, but also a deep commitment to creating inclusive opportunities and amplifying impact beyond the workplace.

We found our more…

You’ve achieved a lot in just a few years at Mastercard – from strategic growth projects to running financial literacy campaigns. What motivates you to keep stretching yourself so early in your career?

I’ve always been a curious person.  As the third child in my family, I grew up observing and asking questions, which sparked a lifelong desire to explore as many topics as possible. That curiosity has driven me to seek broad exposure, professionally and personally, so I could better understand what excites me and shape my career path with intention. I love to travel and have a wide range of hobbies, which constantly fuel my learning and help me connect with different perspectives. This curiosity has been a driving force throughout my career. It’s what led me to pursue roles where I could analyse complex problems, uncover insights, and contribute to strategic decisions. I approach each challenge with the same mindset I had as a child: eager to learn, explore, and make sense of the world around me.

Your digital financial literacy campaign in Hungary reached over 1,500 students. What impact did that experience have on you personally, and how do you see financial literacy shaping inclusion for the next generation?

When I was in high school, financial literacy wasn’t part of the curriculum, and there were no accessible platforms to help me invest the pocket money or summer job earnings I had. That gap made me realize how important it is to start early, be mindful about spending, and understand the basics of managing money. Leading the digital financial literacy campaign in Hungary was personally meaningful, it allowed me to give students the tools I wish I had at their age. With cybercrimes on the rise, educating young people about financial responsibility and digital safety is more critical than ever. For the next generation, financial literacy is a key driver of inclusion, it empowers individuals to make informed decisions, participate fully in society, and break cycles of disadvantage.

“Financial literacy is a key driver of inclusion — it empowers individuals to make informed decisions, participate fully in society, and break cycles of disadvantage.”

Through the Women’s Leadership Network, you’ve organised initiatives with Smart Works and other charities. How do you approach building partnerships that create real impact beyond the workplace?

Through the Women’s Leadership Network, we focus on supporting charities that empower women, such as Smart Works and Wellbeing of Women. At the start of each year, we identify a few organizations and work creatively to build partnerships, often navigating budget constraints by finding resourceful ways to collaborate. Whether it’s through volunteering, fundraising, or awareness campaigns, we aim to create meaningful impact beyond the workplace. We also make it a priority to follow up on our contributions to understand how our efforts are being used and where we can continue to support. It’s always great to hear the stories about women landing their first job with the help of Smart Works or fundraise enough money for Wellbeing of women so they can hire an entry level researcher to work on women health-related issues, or the colleague who found new purpose through volunteering.

You’ve raised awareness and funds for women’s health through your London Marathon campaign. Why was this cause particularly important to you, and what role do you think younger leaders can play in championing underfunded issues like women’s health?

Running the London Marathon to raise awareness and funds for women’s health was a cause close to my heart. While I haven’t been personally affected, many friends around me have faced challenges, from struggling to fall pregnant to battling endometriosis. During my fundraising activities (e.g.: bake sales, social media posts) I was moved by how many colleagues and peers shared their own stories with me. It reinforced how widespread these issues are, and how important it is to create space for open conversations. These experiences opened my eyes to how underfunded and under-researched women’s health issues still are, and how urgently we need to change that.

I believe younger leaders have a unique opportunity to champion causes like women’s health. We can bring energy, empathy, and innovation to drive awareness and push for more research and funding. By using our voices and networks, we can help ensure that women’s health is no longer overlooked, but prioritised as a key part of inclusive healthcare.

“Impact doesn’t require a title; it requires initiative.”

Finally, as someone already seen as a role model, what advice would you give to other early-career professionals who want to make a difference while still building their expertise?

My advice to early-career professionals is to stay curious, stay engaged, and don’t wait until you feel like an expert to start making a difference. You can build your expertise while contributing meaningfully, whether that’s through volunteering, joining internal networks, or advocating for causes you care about. Impact doesn’t require a title; it requires initiative.