David Hubbard – Verizon

After more than two decades with Verizon, David Hubbard still wakes up each day feeling challenged, fulfilled, and, most importantly, like he’s exactly where he’s meant to be.

David Hubbard | Verizon | VP & Deputy General Counsel

Now serving as vice president and deputy general counsel for the telecommunications giant, Hubbard oversees the operations legal team for Verizon’s Consumer Group. This multifaceted and high-impact role encompasses corporate retail and indirect sales, customer service channels, digital service platforms, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. But while the scope of his work is vast, the core of Hubbard’s professional philosophy remains simple: constant and never-ending improvement.

That mindset—captured in his personal mantra, “CAN I?”—has guided Hubbard through a variety of roles with the company, leadership transitions, organizational restructurings, and playing a critical role in the company’s culture, community and belonging initiatives. And it’s that same principle that fuels his commitment to building community, cultivating mindful leadership, and creating an environment where people can thrive, grow, and feel a sense of belonging.

“I’ve been active in our culture, community and belonging initiatives,” he says. “As a company, it’s important to us to embrace our values—this includes how we treat each other, how we connect, and how we lead.  Our conscious and collective commitment to our values creates our culture.”

Continuing to play a key role in the company’s Culture, Community, and Belonging Council, Hubbard says, “It’s important to be intentional about building inclusive spaces. You need commitment, visibility, and leadership that recognizes the business need and values inclusivity in all its forms.”

Hubbard has always brought that value to the table himself. As one of the few Black male attorneys in his field, his perspective is deeply informed by personal experience.

“There are so few people who look like me in this space,” he says. “I’m grateful I get to be my authentic self every day—and I want others to feel empowered to do the same.”

“Inclusivity isn’t just a value—it’s a business advantage too. An inclusive culture brings new ideas, broader perspectives, and better outcomes for our customers.”

Building culture from the inside out

Hubbard’s impact extends well beyond the legal team. He serves on the boards for various community-focused organizations and co-leads Verizon’s legal internship program, which serves as a vital talent pipeline and a reflection of the company’s cultural values. He doesn’t just focus on preparing interns for legal work—he encourages them to consider how they navigate the world.

“I encourage them to be intentional about the space they are in and the impact they leave,” Hubbard explains. “It’s okay to be part of a legal department that values kindness, that cares about each other and builds real connections.”

To reinforce that message, he helped create monthly mindfulness sessions for legal department employees—sessions that blend meditation with themes of conscious leadership and emotional intelligence.

“It’s about clarity of thought, better decision-making, and being present for each other,” he says. “We can be a high-performing legal team and still lead with care.”

That balance—between rigor and empathy, excellence and authenticity—is something Hubbard has cultivated throughout his career.

“I came to Verizon when I realized I needed to change the person I was becoming,” he shares, referencing a traumatic car accident in his earlier days in private practice. “I was completely absorbed in success, in work. That moment shook me. I knew I needed to realign with what mattered.”

Shortly afterward, a recruiter called with an opportunity at Verizon, and Hubbard never looked back.

“I breathed air differently after that. And from the moment I joined, I’ve felt like I was supposed to be here.”

A leader at heart

Ask Hubbard what his true role is at Verizon, and he’ll give a straightforward answer: “Leader first.”

With a team of 20 attorneys spread across six consumer markets, Hubbard champions a decentralized model that puts legal counsel closer to the communities it serves.

“We were too headquarters-heavy,” he says. “Now we’re embedded in the regional markets, with local counsel aligned to market presidents and VPs. It’s faster, more responsive, and builds stronger relationships.”

But more than structural efficiencies, Hubbard is focused on creating an environment where his team members feel seen, supported, and empowered.

“I try to end every meeting with something kind. It could be a gesture, a compliment, or a simple thank you. It matters.”

He sees himself as a coach as much as a legal executive—an identity he’s carried since his days mentoring younger associates in private practice and coaching youth basketball and soccer teams.

“Coaching is in my DNA,” he says. “There’s nothing more rewarding than helping someone grow and succeed. That’s the best part of this job—being part of someone’s journey.”

Rooted in curiosity, driven by growth

For all his achievements, Hubbard doesn’t rest on his tenure. He remains a student of the legal industry, constantly seeking ways to evolve and adapt. Whether it’s integrating AI into consumer experience platforms or tracking trends in digital transformation, Hubbard is always asking: “Can I?”

“It’s a mindset,” he says of his mantra. “Constant and Never-ending Improvement. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about making progress, staying curious, and showing up for the people around you.”

He brings that mindset into every conversation, every team meeting, and every strategic initiative. It’s what makes him an enduring presence at Verizon—and what makes him excited to come to work each day.

“I don’t feel obligated to stay here—I feel connected,” he says. “The people change. The law changes. The products change. My role has changed. And yet I still feel challenged. I still feel like I’m learning. That’s why I stay.”

Ultimately, Hubbard sees his work as part of a broader calling—to lead not just with intellect, but with intention.

“I believe I’m here to do conscience work,” he says. “To show that you can live and lead differently. That you can be excellent and empathetic, strategic and soulful. And as for what’s next? Hubbard doesn’t need to know the destination—he’s too focused on the journey.

“I measure success by the impact I make on the people around me. I want to help cultivate a community of caring, connection, and contribution,” he says. “I’m never going to stop asking myself ‘Can I?’ and I’m going to keep saying yes.”