---
id: "entity-garry-lyons"
type: "entity"
entityType: "person"
canonicalName: "Garry Lyons"
aliases: ["Garry"]
source_timestamps: ["§ Translating among partners.", "¶19", "¶20", "¶21"]
tags: ["bridger", "executive"]
related: ["entity-org-mastercard-labs", "framework-three-functions-of-bridgers", "quote-second-class-citizens", "concept-bridger"]
speakers: ["Garry Lyons"]
source_url: "https://hbr.org/2026/03/why-great-innovations-fail-to-scale"
source_title: "Why Great Innovations Fail to Scale"
sources: ["futures"]
isSpeakerEntity: true
---
## Segment 2 — futures

## Article 102 — a102

# Garry Lyons

**Role in this source:** Former Executive Vice President of R&D at Mastercard and founder of [[entity-org-mastercard-labs|Mastercard Labs]] (joining via Mastercard's acquisition of his startup, **Orbiscom**). Documented externally as Chief Innovation Officer / EVP of R&D. He is the exemplary **[[concept-bridger|bridger]] for the [[framework-three-functions-of-bridgers|translating]] phase**.

**Profile & contributions:** He used **physical prototypes** to make abstract technology tangible for the board and investors, and held **one-on-one sessions** to educate non-technical leaders without making them feel like [[quote-second-class-citizens|'second-class citizens']]. Board chair [[entity-richard-haythornthwaite|Richard Haythornthwaite]] credited him with meeting people where they were and earning trust and commitment in the process.