SINGAPORE — Mastercard has hired Barkha Patel-Zinzuwadia from its key PR agency Weber Shandwick for the role of Asia-Pacific VP of communications.

Patel-Zinzuwadia joins Mastercard after almost eight years with Weber Shandwick, which was interrupted by a brief stint as Burson-Marsteller Singapore market leader. 

Most recently, Patel-Zinzuwadia was Singapore GM for Weber Shandwick and regional client relationship lead, after rejoining the firm in 2014. Previously, she served as Thailand GM and Asia-Pacific SVP and technology lead.

Patel's hire puts her in charge of Mastercard's regional communications, which was previously led by long-term SVP Georgette Tan Adamopoulos, who has moved to a new, global role.

Patel-Zinzuwadia did not respond to request for comment, while Weber Shandwick representatives referred requests to their client.