Dan Schulman

Dan Schulman – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life and leadership of Dan Schulman: from AT&T to Virgin Mobile to PayPal and now Verizon. Learn about his philosophy, achievements, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Dan Schulman (born January 19, 1958) is an American business executive known for blending purpose with profit. Over his career, he has led or helped grow multiple major companies in telecommunications, payments, and financial services. He is especially recognized for his tenure as President & CEO of PayPal, where he pushed for financial inclusion, technology-driven innovation, and stakeholder capitalism. More recently, he has stepped into a new role as CEO of Verizon.

Schulman’s reputation is not just built on business performance, but on his advocacy for socially responsible business, inclusion, and bridging technology with human needs.

Early Life and Family

Daniel H. Schulman was born in Newark, New Jersey, on January 19, 1958.

His mother, S. Ruth Schulman, served as an associate dean at Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) from 1974 to 1999. Mel Schulman, worked as a chemical engineer.

Schulman has often spoken of having “social activism in his DNA,” citing that his grandfather was a union organizer in New York’s garment district, and that his mother took him to civil rights demonstrations as a child.

In high school, Schulman was active athletically; some sources note that he participated in tennis and lacrosse.

In terms of education, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Middlebury College, and later, an MBA in Finance from NYU Stern School of Business.

Career and Achievements

Early Career: AT&T and Rise in Telecommunications

Schulman spent 18 years at AT&T, where he advanced through roles in marketing, management, and operations.

Virgin Mobile and Sprint / Prepaid

In 2001, Richard Branson invited Schulman to become the founding CEO of Virgin Mobile USA.

After Virgin Mobile was acquired by Sprint, Schulman served as President of Sprint’s Prepaid Group.

American Express and Priceline

Subsequently, he joined American Express as Group President of Enterprise Growth, where he helped broaden AmEx’s reach into digital payments and alternative revenue streams outside the core card and travel business.

He also led Priceline (as President & CEO), helping scale the company’s revenues significantly during his tenure.

PayPal Leadership

In 2014, Schulman was named President & CEO of PayPal, just as it was being spun off from eBay.

He also initiated programs in support of employees during difficult times (e.g. offering interest-free cash advances during the U.S. federal government shutdown) and emphasized a people-first culture.

In 2023, Schulman officially stepped down as CEO of PayPal, though he remained on its board.

Recent Role: Verizon CEO

On October 6, 2025, Verizon announced that Dan Schulman would become its Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, replacing Hans Vestberg.

Board & Leadership Roles

• Schulman has served on the boards of Verizon, Lazard (as Lead Independent Director since 2024), Cisco Systems, and Symantec / NortonLifeLock.

• He is Chair of JUST Capital, a nonprofit that ranks companies by social responsibility, and is vice chairman/partner at Valor Capital Group.

Historical Milestones & Context

Dan Schulman’s career spans a period of rapid change in telecommunications, digital payments, and fintech. A few contextual highlights:

• His leadership at Virgin Mobile occurred during the early days of mobile deregulation and wireless service expansion in the U.S.

• His PayPal tenure overlapped with the rise of e-commerce, mobile wallets, fintech startups, and increasing global demand for inclusive financial services.

• His move to Verizon reflects a broader convergence between telecom operators and technology/financial services; many telecom firms are seeking to integrate digital platforms, payments, identity, and connectivity.

• His advocacy for social purpose and inclusive business models aligns with increasing pressure on corporations to adopt Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.

Legacy and Influence

Dan Schulman is often cited as a leader who:

1. Bridges profit and purpose
   He has repeatedly emphasized that financial success and social responsibility are not mutually exclusive.

2. Raises the bar for inclusive business
   Under his leadership, PayPal sought to extend access to underserved communities and workers.

3. Drives transformation through culture
   Schulman has prioritized culture, employee well-being, and mission, not just metrics.

4. Models stakeholder capitalism
   His public stance is that companies should serve customers, employees, communities, and shareholders—rather than focusing solely on returns.

5. Acts across sectors
   His shift from payments to telecom demonstrates adaptability and the capacity to lead in adjacent industries.

Personality and Talents

• Visionary and values-driven: Schulman is known for articulating a broad purpose for business beyond profit.

• Courage to act: He has made decisions based on principle (e.g. halting expansion into states with discriminatory laws) even when controversial.

• Empathetic leadership: He emphasizes listening, supporting employees, and understanding societal contexts during crises.

• Innovator: He has repeatedly led organizations through change—telecom, wireless, payments, fintech.

• Resilient and disciplined: Schulman practices Krav Maga, a martial art, and has spoken of applying its philosophy in business: “Never stand still.”

Famous Quotes of Dan Schulman

Here are some of Dan Schulman’s notable quotes:

“There’s a philosophy in martial arts which is, ‘Never stand still.’ Standing still is asking to be hit. You always have to be willing to take some risks going forward.”

“I was born with social activism in my DNA.”

“Building a diverse and inclusive workforce is absolutely critical to our mission.” (on business decisions)

“When I think about leading a company, the lessons that really mattered weren’t about technology or scale — they were about culture, listening to customers, and empowering teams to drive real change.”

These quotes reflect his convictions that business involves more than products: it hinges on values, culture, and the courage to evolve.

Lessons from Dan Schulman

From Schulman’s life and leadership, several lessons emerge:

1. Lead with purpose
   Grounding business in social mission can enhance resilience and meaning.

2. Culture is strategic
   A company’s internal work—employee engagement, trust, values—is foundational for external success.

3. Don’t be static
   Whether in martial arts or markets, standing still is risky; adapt, learn, pivot.

4. Use privilege to uplift
   He has made decisions (even personally costly) to align business with equality, inclusion, and ethics.

5. Cross-domain agility
   Skills developed in one sector (e.g. payments) can translate—if you grasp common themes like trust, networks, and experience.

6. Listening and empathy matter
   Leadership that listens—to customers, to employees, to communities—can guide more sustainable outcomes.

Conclusion

Dan Schulman is a compelling example of a modern executive who refuses to separate business success from social impact. From telecommunications to payments to now guiding Verizon into its next chapter, he brings continuity in values, adaptability in strategy, and empathy in leadership.

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