Michael Grazio

Background

About Michael Grazio

As an accomplished General Counsel and Executive Vice President, I have over 20 years of experience leading global legal teams and advising executive management and boards at the highest levels. My career is defined by strategic leadership, operational excellence, and a commitment to building inclusive, high-performing legal organizations that drive business growth and innovation.Currently, I lead a team of 110+ attorneys across multiple disciplines at Mastercard, enabling the development of cutting-edge payment products and technology businesses. I am recognized for my ability to navigate complex regulatory environments, manage large-scale government investigations, and integrate legal functions across nine acquisitions. My leadership has resulted in a significant increase in diverse spend with outside counsel and the creation of an office of global accessibility.I have served as the lead legal architect for transformative products such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, and have pioneered privacy and data protection programs that set industry standards. As a board member and strategic advisor, I have guided organizations through regulatory licensing, policy development, and governance upgrades.I am passionate about mentoring future legal leaders, fostering a culture of inclusion, and advancing legal and policy functions to support business objectives. My approach combines strategic vision with operational rigor, ensuring legal teams are empowered to deliver results and support innovation.Let’s connect if you share an interest in legal leadership, digital transformation, or building world-class legal teams.