Dan Schulman

EXCLUSIVE
  • Fmr. President & CEO of PayPal (2015-2023)
  • Expert on the Future of Money & Values-Based Leadership
  • Frequently On Fortune's "Top 20 Businesspersons of the Year" List, & Glassdoor's "Top 50 CEOs" List
  • Advocate for Racial Equity, Economic Empowerment, & Inclusion

Visionary former CEO of PayPal and tech leadership expert Dan Schulman blends profit with purpose and focuses on improving the financial health of people, families, and businesses around the world. Frequently recognized by Fortune as one of the “Top 20 Businesspersons of the Year,” Dan encourages his audiences to embrace stakeholder capitalism, diversity, inclusion, and more, while prioritizing responsible and world class business practices. Prior to his role at PayPal, he served as Group President at American Express, President of the Prepaid Group at Spring Nextel Corporation following its acquisition of Virgin Mobile USA, Inc., where he led the company as its founding CEO for eight years, and President and CEO of Priceline Group, Inc. Dan is currently on the Board of Directors for both Verizon and Cisco. Dan has lead global brands through major periods of transition, consistently delivery results and building a reputation as a difference-maker. With his extensive experience in payments, e-commerce, and mobile technology, Dan is uniquely positioned to speak to the challenges and opportunities facing companies today.

Dan is consistently featured on “Best CEO” lists, including being named one of Glassdoor’s “Top 50 CEOs” and Fast Company’s “Top 100 Most Creative People.” Dan was also named one of Fortune’s “World’s 50 Greatest Leaders,” heralded for his willingness to step up and make the world better, inspiring others to do the same. Under his leadership, PayPal was named one of the top companies on JUST Capital and Forbes’ JUST 100 list, featuring “companies doing right by America.” PayPal was named to Morning Consult’s “Most Trusted Brands” list and has also been recognized as a Fortune Change the World company for its work to tackle the biggest challenges facing society today. In sought-after talks, Dan empowers audiences with his insights about the future of money, values-driven business, reimagining how merchants can continually strengthen their businesses, and innovative leadership.

 


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Past Hosts Include:
  • ALM Media
Dan Schulman (MBA ’86), Former President and CEO, PayPal | NYU Stern MBA and PhD Convocation - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Dan Schulman
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The Profound Implications of Generative AI

In this exhilarating talk, former PayPal President and CEO DAN SCHULMAN identifies the game-changing opportunities presented by generative AI – from speeding product development, to improving efficiency, to reducing overhead. A leader in innovative thinking, Schulman shares his vision for how organi ...

In this exhilarating talk, former PayPal President and CEO DAN SCHULMAN identifies the game-changing opportunities presented by generative AI – from speeding product development, to improving efficiency, to reducing overhead. A leader in innovative thinking, Schulman shares his vision for how organizations can leverage tools like ChatGPT and AI to transform their business and offer sound answers to the questions on the minds of leaders in every industry – “Given the realities on the ground, what should we be doing? What should we be thinking about?”

Dan Schulman: The Ultimate CEO on Leadership and Success

DAN SCHULMAN is consistently featured in popular media outlets' “Best CEO” lists, leading multiple successful companies before serving as the President and CEO of PayPal (2015-2023). Under his leadership, PayPal has become a leader in values-driven business and named to TIME’s inaugural "100 Most In ...

DAN SCHULMAN is consistently featured in popular media outlets' “Best CEO” lists, leading multiple successful companies before serving as the President and CEO of PayPal (2015-2023). Under his leadership, PayPal has become a leader in values-driven business and named to TIME’s inaugural "100 Most Influential Companies." Listen to tips from the ultimate expert as he discusses leading a company with purpose over profit, how he’s found so much success, and what sets him apart. Dan Schulman is the cutting edge CEO audiences want to hear from on innovation, and creativity.

The Future of Money

DAN SCHULMAN is at the forefront of our changing economy, and he is facing it head-on as the leader of a company that is constantly innovating to improve how hundreds of millions of people and businesses manage and move their money. Under his leadership, PayPal became one of the most successful tech ...

DAN SCHULMAN is at the forefront of our changing economy, and he is facing it head-on as the leader of a company that is constantly innovating to improve how hundreds of millions of people and businesses manage and move their money. Under his leadership, PayPal became one of the most successful tech companies in the world. As an expert on the future of money & the powerful potential of a more inclusive global economy, he shares his unique insight on emerging global trends in financial services, business and technology. 

How to Blend Profit and Purpose

When it comes to brand values, some companies just 'talk the talk.' DAN SCHULMAN is on a mission to walk the walk. For the last half-century, the prevailing industry dogma has been that there is no room for a social conscience in a corporate boardroom. Schulman wholeheartedly disagrees. He believes ...

When it comes to brand values, some companies just 'talk the talk.' DAN SCHULMAN is on a mission to walk the walk. For the last half-century, the prevailing industry dogma has been that there is no room for a social conscience in a corporate boardroom. Schulman wholeheartedly disagrees. He believes that purpose and profit are mutually reinforcing. He believes that businesses have a responsibility to be a force for good and offers his insights on what it takes to help shape a more just and inclusive society while delivering strong business performance.

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Speaker News

Former Priceline CEO Dan Schulman learned from his mentor Richard Branson that caring for employees is the best investment

Visionary leader DAN SCHULMAN may be a household name as former President and CEO of PayPal (2015-2023), but he is best known among business leaders for his work spearheading growth and innovation at some of the world’s largest companies: Priceline, AT&T, Virgin Mobile, and American Express. As President and CEO of Priceline, Shulman tripled revenue in one year by growing its customer base from 2M to 5.3M. During that time, he formed a relationship with Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group. As the founding CEO of Virgin Mobile, he was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst & Young and one of Fortune’s “World’s 50 Greatest Leaders.”

Schulman overhauled PayPal’s employee compensation and benefits program under the Worker Financial Wellness Initiative, launched as a collaboration with JUST Capital, the Financial Health Network, and the Good Jobs Institute. The program then expanded to Chipotle, Chobani, Even, Prudential Financial, and Verizon, among others, a cohort committed to provide employees with maximum flexibility: expanded childcare benefits, twelve weeks of parental leave, access to mental health and wellness sessions, and more.

The secret to Schulman’s success is empathy. During his tenure as the CEO of Virgin Mobile, legendary founder Richard Branson stepped up as a mentor to Dan Schulman. Driven by their all-hours brainstorm conversations on the role of a business leader in an economy facing increasing inequality, Branson told Schulman: “Those in a position to have an impact have a responsibility to do it.”

Watch Dan Schulman speak on the democratization of financial services at Berkley Haas here >>

Artificial Intelligence (AI): The world’s top artificial intelligence speakers help businesses and industries plan for what’s next

The Harry Walker Agency represents the world's top Artificial Intelligence thought leaders, business moguls, and tech titans who provide invaluable insight in the rapidly shifting landscape of AI and Chat GPT. Corporate leaders like former CEO & Chairman of Xerox URSULA BURNS and former President, CEO, and Chairman of IBM GINNI ROMETTY inspire their audiences to lean into innovation. Renowned internet pioneers like SIR TIM BERNERS-LEE, JIMMY WALES, and the Statesman of AI DE KAI unpack these exceptional tech advancements. Global tech executives like PayPal’s former President and CEO DAN SCHULMAN, digital entrepreneur and VC investor PHIL LIBIN, and tech entrepreneur and VC angel investor MICHAEL MIGNANO offer actionable insights about building out a data-backed, high-impact strategy for growth. Tech founder and change agent MIKE MUSE, and algorithm expert CATHY O’NEIL speak to how teams can work with AI to achieve astounding results, while emphasizing our values of ingenuity, courage, and inclusion. Data scientist and Cambridge Analytica whistleblower CHRISTOPHER WYLIE explains AI’s potential risks and how to navigate the complex cybersecurity issues.

Explore HWA’s Artificial Intelligence Speakers >>

Tech exec Dan Schulman predicts AI will lower costs for companies for years to come

Visionary tech CEO DAN SCHULMAN is highly regarded for his ability to identify game-changing opportunities when it comes to improving the financial health of people as well as businesses. A leader in innovative thinking, Schulman was quoted in American Banker saying: "With new advanced generative AI, we can accelerate our productivity initiatives," going on to predict: "We expect AI will allow us to lower costs for years to come." In the earnings call, he emphasized that PayPal – and other global companies – could use generative artificial intelligence to “speed product development, improve efficiency, and reduce overhead.” As organizations seek to understand what tools like ChatGPT and AI will mean for their business, Schulman is an early voice championing the numerous strategic possibilities.

Schulman was a highly-anticipated guest at the Council on Foreign Relations CEO Speaker Series, where he unpacked “the future of the digital economy, the evolving role of business in society, and leadership lessons learned as president and CEO of PayPal.” The former American Express Group President offered an inspired and well-conceived vision for how generative AI will transform business, saying “I think the functional area of every company will be massively impacted,” outlining the redefinition of the legal profession, marketing, and more. Schulman also spoke to the challenges of controlling the possibilities, the risk of competing interests, the role of the government, and the “massive threat to disinformation dissemination.” In exhilarating and information talks, Schulman offers sound answers to the questions every leader and employee is asking – “Given the realities on the ground, what should we be doing? What should we be thinking about?”

Watch Dan Schulman’s conversation with the Council on Foreign Relations >>

Watch Dan Schulman’s keynote for NYU Stern’s 2023 Commencement >>

Heralded as one of the world’s “best CEOs,” Dan Schulman delivers expert guidance on blending purpose with profit

A mainstay on major publication’s lists of “best CEOs,” DAN SCHULMAN is a trusted expert on visionary leadership, sought after for his inspired insights on blending profit and purpose. While Schulman served as PayPal President and CEO (2015-2023), the company was named one of the top companies on JUST Capital and Forbes’ JUST 100 list, which featured “companies doing right by America,” and TIME’s inaugural “100 Most Influential Companies.” Through his innovative leadership of the fintech giant – which does business in more than 200 countries, and deals in more than 100 currencies – Dan himself has been consistently featured on “Best CEO” lists, including being named one of Fortune’s “World’s 50 Greatest Leaders,” heralded for his willingness to step up and make the world better, inspiring others to do the same. In engaging talks, the leadership expert shares his insights about innovation, the future of money, and how businesses can shape a more just and inclusive society while delivering strong business performance.

Watch Dan Schulman at Operation HOPE >>

Watch Dan Schulman at Berkeley Haas >>

Dan Schulman speaks on inclusive systems, social change in the financial space, and the future of money

DAN SCHULMAN draws from decades of experience as a values-driven business leader to discuss the importance of multi-stakeholder capitalism, driving social change in the financial services and technology industries and the future of money. As the former President and CEO of PayPal (2015-2023), he uses his expertise to make financial services more inclusive and to empower the financial health of millions of people, communities, and businesses around the world. Dan puts his words into action by reimagining how people move and manage money, as well as how merchants and consumers interact, advocating for more inclusive system, including working to close the racial wealth gap for underserved communities by fighting economic inequality. He’s known as a CEO who puts employees first, takes risks and is not afraid of innovation and creativity. As an expert on the future of money, including the digital economy and what trends are shaping the future, Schulman advises businesses and organizations of the upcoming trends in finance and retail, and how companies can drive both profit and purpose. 

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Biography

Dan Schulman is focused on democratizing the global financial services system and improving the financial health of people, families, and businesses around the world. With extensive experience in payments, e-commerce and mobile technology, Dan led PayPal to empower people in their financial lives and reimagine how merchants can continually strengthen their businesses. Under Dan’s leadership, PayPal was named as one of the top companies on JUST Capital and Forbes’ JUST 100 list, featuring “companies doing right by America.” PayPal has also been recognized as a Fortune Change the World company for its work to tackle the biggest challenges facing society today and named to Morning Consult's "Most Trusted Brands" list.

Dan’s leadership and impact have been recognized by several notable organizations. The New York Urban League presented Dan with the 2021 Frederick Douglass Award, in recognition of his commitment, dedication, and influence to advance the rights of generations of underserved Black Americans. In 2020, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights honored him with the Ripple of Hope Award, which recognizes those who have demonstrated a commitment to social change and a passion for equality, justice and basic human rights.

In 2019, Dan was recognized by Endeavor Global with the High-Impact Leader of the Year Award for his work to support entrepreneurs around the globe. He was also honored with the Financial Health Network’s inaugural Visionary Award in 2018 for his commitment to improving the financial lives of people around the world. Dan received the 2017 Brennan Legacy Award, established to honor the late Supreme Court justice and his career-long commitment to social justice and “common human dignity”. The Council for Economic Education named Dan as its 2017 Visionary for promoting economic and financial literacy to create a better-informed society. Rutgers University bestowed upon Dan an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, and he also delivered the University’s 252nd anniversary commencement speech.  
  
Dan has frequently been recognized by Fortune as one of the "Top 20 Businesspersons of the Year" and in 2021, named to Fortune's 50 World's Greatest Leaders list. He has also been named one of the top 100 Most Creative People by Fast Company and, in 2019, he was named one of Glassdoor's Top 50 CEOs. In addition, he has been recognized as one of the top 10 Most Innovative CEOs in Banking.  
  
Dan previously served as Group President at American Express. Prior to joining American Express, Dan was President of the Prepaid Group at Sprint Nextel Corporation following its acquisition of Virgin Mobile USA, Inc., where he led the company as its founding CEO for eight years. Earlier in his career, Dan was President and CEO of Priceline Group, Inc., where he led the company through a period of rapid growth and expansion. He also spent 18 years at AT&T, where he held a series of positions, including President of the Consumer Markets Division.  
  
Dan is actively involved in the World Economic Forum, as a member of the International Business Council, and the Board of Governors and Board of Stewards for the Future of Financial & Monetary Systems platform. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Business Roundtable. In addition, Dan is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and an International Advisory Council member of the Singapore Economic Development Board. Dan is a Director of Verizon Communications, Inc., and previously served as Non-Executive Chairman of NortonLifeLock (formerly Symantec Corporation). He also serves on the boards of The Economic Club of New York and Autism Speaks. 
  
Dan earned a BA from Middlebury College and an MBA from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business. He is an avid mixed martial arts practitioner.