New 5-Year Study Shows Moral Leadership Development Drives Higher Retention and Engagement Rates—Offering a Model for Organizations Navigating Today’s Rapidly Reshaping World

The HOW Institute for Society Releases New Case Study with Mastercard Demonstrating Measurable Impact Through Moral Leadership Development
NEW YORK, NY — September 10, 2026 — The HOW Institute for Society today released a new case study examining Mastercard’s partnership in the NXT-GEN Fellowship for Moral Leadership, revealing measurable gains and impact tied directly to values-based leadership development.
The longitudinal case study details how Mastercard embedded moral leadership into its comprehensive leadership framework through a cross-organizational fellowship developed with The HOW Institute. The results demonstrate that moral leadership is not only aspirational, but operationally transformative when implemented across the organization.
Among the key findings:
  • Fellowship graduates had a 5% higher retention rate than peers
  • Participants demonstrated an average 9% growth across 20 moral leadership behaviors
  • Graduates saw a 10% stronger performance rating correlated with program participation
  • 8% higher likelihood of career progression correlated with program participation
  • 98% reported the fellowship inspired them to demonstrate moral leadership
  • 95% would recommend the fellowship to a colleague
In an era marked by rapid technological disruption, shifting workforce expectations, and declining trust in institutions, the case study underscores a central insight: organizations that invest in developing moral authority in their leaders—not just formal authority—unlock greater commitment to the organization and deeper human connection.
“Human systems can’t function without formal authority, whether it’s a commander in chief, a CEO, or a school principal,” said Dov Seidman, Founder and Chairman of The HOW Institute for Society. “But what makes organizations really work is when leaders occupying those formal positions have moral authority, too. While formal authority can be seized, won, or bestowed, moral authority must be earned by who you are and how you lead. Mastercard’s experience shows that when organizations intentionally cultivate moral leadership, performance and trust rise together.”
From Values to Measurable Impact
Over five years, more than 200 of Mastercard’s high-performing and high potential leaders have completed the 15-week fellowship. Mastercard integrated the NXT-GEN Fellowship into its broader leadership system. Leadership capabilities developed in the program align with Mastercard’s performance management processes that measure not only what employees achieve, but how they achieve it. The company’s performance reviews include both a “what” rating—business results—and a “how” rating—alignment with “The Mastercard Way” behaviors.
“The NXT‑GEN Fellowship for Moral Leadership reinforces something we believe deeply at Mastercard: Leadership is shaped by everyday moments,” said Susan Muigai, chief people officer at Mastercard. “It shows up in how we listen. In how we make decisions. In the ways we show respect and care for one another. That’s why developing our people and building the capabilities of our leaders matters. They set the tone, and when they lead in human-centered ways, it creates the conditions for trust, connection, and strong performance across the organization.”
The NXT-GEN Fellowship experience is grounded in immersive learning loops focused on purpose, inspiration, values, and discernment—or what the program calls “moral muscle.” Participants engage with cross-sector leaders, apply lessons in real-world practicums, and join a global graduate community spanning more than 1,000 fellows across 43 countries.
Scaling a Culture of Moral Leadership
The case study also highlights how Mastercard graduates have become peer coaches, mentors, and ambassadors—scaling shared language and values across the organization.
“As the HOW Fellow Community grows across industries and continents, we remain focused on depth as well as scale,” said Rosie Forrest, The HOW Institute’s director of Strategic Initiatives and former NXT-GEN Fellowship director. “Every offering, be it a virtual learning intensive or an in-person gathering, is designed to keep the fellowship’s spirit alive: thoughtful, challenging, and deeply human.”
For participants in the fellowship, the impact extends beyond the workplace.
“There are so many things I studied that didn’t just apply professionally, but also personally,” said Cassie Roberts, Mastercard NXT-GEN Fellow and Director of Cyber Product. “One thing was compelling apologies. I had a disagreement with a friend, and I had to apologize. I drew on the apology case study we did, and I was able to apply what we learned.”
A Corporate Call to Action
The findings arrive at a moment when organizations face rising pressure to rebuild trust, retain talent, and navigate complex social and technological change. The HOW Institute’s broader research—including its 2026 State of Moral Leadership in Business report—continues to show that moral leadership correlates with stronger performance, resilience, and employee engagement.
The Mastercard case study offers a practical blueprint: Embed shared values into systems, cultivate moral authority in those with formal authority, and measure not just how much is achieved—but how.
“Leadership in today’s world requires more than technical expertise or positional power,” Seidman added. “It requires the courage to pause, to reconnect to purpose, and to elevate others. Organizations that scale moral leadership will not only perform better—they will build cultures capable of meeting the future with integrity.”
About The HOW Institute for Society
The HOW Institute for Society seeks to build and nurture a culture of moral leadership, principled decision-making and values-based behavior that enables individuals and institutions to meet the profound social, economic, and technological changes of the 21st Century. Leading the strategy for The HOW Institute is Founder Dov Seidman, a successful entrepreneur and CEO, best-selling author, and a teacher, who has devoted his life and professional career to making philosophy and philosophical frameworks practical in the business arena and across all sectors of society. For more information, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn @TheHOWInstituteforSociety. The next cohort of fellows for the NXT-GEN Fellowship for Moral Leadership begins in March 2027. Learn more at thehowinstitute.org.