Jason Gardner

Jason was Marqeta’s founding CEO from 2010 to 2023, leading the company through its IPO on the NASDAQ (Ticker: MQ) in June 2021 before transitioning into the Executive Chairman role in January 2023. Jason provides leadership and direction to Marqeta’s Board of Directors, serving as a liaison between management and the board and a strategic advisor to the CEO. Contributing to product strategy, he acts as a culture carrier and ambassador for Marqeta.

In 2020, Jason was named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ and one of the Most Admired CEOs by the San Francisco Business Times. Regularly quoted in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, and Bloomberg, as well as interviewed on CNBC, CNN, and MSNBC, Jason is considered an expert on global electronic payment systems, the fintech ecosystem, and entrepreneurship.

Jason grew up in New Jersey, where he had numerous businesses that included making and selling tie-dyed T-shirts. After a stint with Senator John McCain’s office while a college student, Jason made it to California, where he began to pursue his passion for technology. Jason earned a Political Science degree from Arizona State University.