The Western Union Foundation is pleased to welcome Raj Agrawal, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Western Union, as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Foundation.
Raj succeeds outgoing Chair Jacqueline Molnar, Chief Transformation Officer of Western Union, at the completion of her board term, and we thank her for her dedicated service. We are truly grateful for Jacqueline’s commitment to advancing the Foundation’s mission of connecting young people to economic opportunity. During Jacqueline’s tenure, the Foundation has accomplished meaningful impact that has advanced the education and workforce readiness of migrant youth and their communities, while also providing crisis relief and recovery in times of need, most notably through the launch of Opportunity Beyond Borders.
Opportunity Beyond Borders is a three-year commitment to provide vulnerable populations with the tools and resources needed for job opportunities and higher education, as well as direct aid during crises to help communities rebuild. Now in its second year, Opportunity Beyond Borders’ impact includes supporting 120,000 people through 18 disasters and humanitarian crisis and skilling 15,000 people for new ventures, jobs, and higher wages. Impact was reached through new collaborations with partners – including a multiyear partnership with the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative – to build and run a learning center for displaced young people in Uganda.
The Foundation’s call to action to partners and employees to support Covid relief efforts reached record fundraising levels, with funds directed towards Covid relief, economic recovery, and vaccine dissemination. This included support for 1,000 minority and migrant-run micro businesses, and 55 scholarships to students, including those at historically black colleges and universities who faced economic hardships due to COVID. To date in 2021, 73% of our global workforce have participated in supporting the mission of the Foundation through donating or volunteering, such as participating in the Foundation’s Mentorship Beyond Borders program.
“We are so appreciative of Jacqueline’s service and look forward to the Foundation’s next chapter with Raj as we continue our work to advocate for a world where there is more equal opportunity for all,” said Elizabeth Roscoe, Head of the Western Union Foundation.
As CFO, Raj leads Western Union’s global finance organization and provides guidance on the company’s operations and strategic direction. Since joining the company in 2006, Raj has helped drive the company’s transformation to a more efficient, customer-focused organization, while amplifying Western Union’s presence in local communities. Prior to his role as CFO, Raj held positions as Executive Vice President and President of Western Union Business Solutions, and Treasurer and Senior Vice President for Finance in the EMEA/APAC region. Raj also serves on the Board of Beazley plc as a non-executive director and member of the audit and risk committee.
“I have long shared the Western Union Foundation’s philanthropic passion and am honored to now lead the Board and be a part of an organization that is paving the way to transform the lives of underserved populations and allow them the economic mobility they deserve,” said Raj Agrawal.
To learn more about the Western Union Foundation’s work, read our latest Impact Report.
