Jason Gardner, the founder and Executive Chairman of Marqeta, has been instrumental in building the modern card issuing platform that empowers clients to develop flexible payment solutions. He served as CEO from 2010 until early 2023, overseeing the company's IPO...

Jason Gardner, the founder and Executive Chairman of Marqeta, has been instrumental in building the modern card issuing platform that empowers clients to develop flexible payment solutions. He served as CEO from 2010 until early 2023, overseeing the company's IPO and growing its processing volume from $166 billion to a staggering $222 billion in just one year. Despite a decline in net revenue during this time, Gardner's strategic leadership propelled the company on a robust growth trajectory, demonstrating resilience in the face of changing market conditions. He had a unique compensation structure, receiving significant bonuses linked to performance metrics, reflecting his commitment to aligning executive pay with company success. As he prepares to transition to a non-employee director role, Gardner will continue to guide Marqeta by heading a new Payments Innovation Committee, ensuring his vast experience helps shape the future of the company.

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1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Dianthus Therapeutics CEOs

D

Jason Gardner

Founder and Ex-CEO of Dianthus Therapeutics

Education

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Cambridge

Field of Expertise

Healthcare & Life Sciences - Biotechnology

Sector of Economy

Healthcare

Born

January 1, 1973 - 52 years ago

CEO of Dianthus Therapeutics for

1 year 1 month (Jan 2022 - Feb 2023)

Previous Experience

Co-founder and CEO of Magenta Therapeutics

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Jason Gardner

Holdings

See how much did Jason Gardner make over time.

As of 2023, Jason Gardner's wealth was largely tied to his holdings in Marqeta, where he previously held over 51 million shares of Class B common stock. This stock represented about 45% of the total Class B shares, giving him...

As of 2023, Jason Gardner's wealth was largely tied to his holdings in Marqeta, where he previously held over 51 million shares of Class B common stock. This stock represented about 45% of the total Class B shares, giving him significant voting power. His wealth in stock peaked when he was CEO, but due to a transition in leadership, he agreed to forfeit certain long-term performance awards, which could have given him options for nearly 20 million shares. He also voluntarily converted some Class B shares into Class A shares, ensuring his ongoing influence in the company. Gardner's transition from CEO to Executive Chairman in early 2023, seeing a decrease in his compensation, reflects a strategic pivot while maintaining his commitment to the future of Marqeta.

Mar 11, 2025

M

shares

MQ @ $3.82

Charitable Transactions

MQ

222,000 shares

MQ

Recent Charitable Transactions

MQ

122,000 shares

MQ

Mar 10, 2025

Charity

MQ

100,000 shares

MQ

Aug 19, 2022

Charity

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Jason Gardner.

MQ

122,000 shares

MQ

Mar 10, 2025

Charity

MQ

100,000 shares

MQ

Aug 19, 2022

Charity

Compensation History

See how much did Jason Gardner make over time.

In 2023, Jason Gardner's total compensation was reported at approximately $16.3 million, a substantial rise from the prior year. This included a base salary of $330,000, a performance-based bonus amounting to $247,500, and various stock options that he had earned prior to his leadership transition. His pay structure was designed to reward not just the responsibilities but also the success of Marqeta in the financial technology space. Gardner previously enjoyed larger compensation packages, with his pay reflecting both individual and company performance metrics. The move to a more modest salary and bonuses as Executive Chairman signals a shift in focus towards long-term value creation for shareholders rather than immediate financial rewards.

Year

2023

Total Compensation

$4.37M

Salary

$571.46K

Board Justification

The compensation committee believes that executive compensation should be strongly linked to Company performance and the creation of long-term value for stockholders, with a significant portion of total compensation being performance-based.

Bonus

$690.00K

Board Justification

The payouts for our CEO and other NEOs were at or above target, as a result of both individual and company performance as measured by the Senior Executive Cash Incentive Bonus Plan (the “Bonus Plan”).

Other

$16.70K

Board Justification

Includes 401(k) matches and other stipends for parking, commute, connectivity, and cell phones.

Restricted Stock

$3.09M(556.16K RSU)

Board Justification

Shares of RSUs that vested in 2023, reflecting the achievement of performance metrics and continued service.

Performance Metrics

Year-Over-Year Revenue Growth, Gross Profit, Adjusted EBITDA.

Other Dianthus Therapeutics CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Dianthus Therapeutics

Marino Garcia

CEO of Dianthus Therapeutics

September 2023 - Present