Multinational financial services giant Visa has hired Chris Newkirk to fill the newly created Chief Strategy Officer position. He will begin his new role on June 15.
As Chief Strategy Officer, Newkirk will lead Visa’s Corporate Strategy organization and spearhead strategic planning for the company as a whole, including its regional teams. He will be a member of the Executive Committee and report to CEO Al Kelly.
Since 2008, Newkirk has held multiple leadership roles at Capital One. Most recently served as the President of Small Business, International & Walmart Partnership. He has also served on Capital One's Executive Committee since 2016. Newkirk has held positions at now defunct IndyMac Bank and McKinsey & Company before he joined Capital One.
In a press release, Kelly said, “I look forward to welcoming Chris into our Visa family. He will bring some incredible experience and new insights as we continue to deliver on Visa’s strategy, build stronger client relationships and grow our business.”
Visa will need Newkirk’s help to plot the company’s strategy as it navigates through the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused a significant deterioration in consumer spending across multiple categories.