# Pay Possible

1 Stern Stories September 25, 2015 ![Dan Schulman](/sites/default/files/styles/246w/public/assets/images/pay-body.jpg?itok=tScEvDJY)> If you want the big reward, you have to take the big risk.

Dan Schulman, CEO and President of PayPal, joined MBA students and alumni for a 2015-2016 Speaker Series event, presented by U.S. Trust. Professor [Al Lieberman](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/faculty/bio/alvin-lieberman) moderated the discussion, beginning with a one-on-one interview and followed by an open Q&A session.

Throughout his career, Schulman held leadership positions in American Express, Sprint Nextel, Virgin Mobile USA, Priceline and AT&T. With his determined nature and deep knowledge of payments and mobile technology, Schulman was attracted to PayPal’s competitive edge and joined the company in 2014, just as the company announced intentions to separate from eBay. In sharing his perspective, Schulman specifically noted there is a huge opportunity for digital payments to expand globally. For companies with expansion aspirations, the ability to think globally and not just multinationally is key. “Managing and moving personal finances should be a right around the world, not a privilege,” he said. “In this way, business can be a driving force for good.”

Schulman attributes much of PayPal’s success as an independent business to the accomplishments and strength of his employees. When hiring new talent, he looks for people who are inspired to make a difference in the world, demonstrate resilience and learn from past experiences and failures. “A clear company mission separates good talent from great talent,” he stated.

Throughout the interview, he offered advice to students and alumni who seek careers in the online commerce industry: - If you're truly going to innovate, you will most likely fail. You need to be comfortable with failing and then be able to learn from it.
- Winning isn't everything. If you get knocked down, you need to learn how to get back up again.
- Don’t focus on the next promotion, but rather the task in front of you at the moment.
- If you want the big reward, you have to take the big risk.

Watch the full video:

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*This Langone Speaker Series event was co-hosted by Stern's [MBA Office of Student Engagement](/portal-partners/student-engagement) & [Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation](/node/43672).*###  Past Langone Speaker Series

- [Oisin Hanrahan](/node/42861), co-founder and CEO of Handy
- [Ragy Thomas](/node/41631) (MBA ‘03), founder and CEO of Sprinklr
- [Nate Berkus](/node/36156), interior designer and author
- [Philip Krim](/node/31641), co-founder and CEO of Casper
- [Dan Schulman](/node/25021) (MBA '86), president and CEO of PayPal
- [Greg Coleman](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/news-events/speaker-series-buzzfeed), president of BuzzFeed
- [Devon Pike](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/news-events/speaker-series-givenchy), president of Givenchy US
- [Frank Blake](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/news-events/speaker-series-home-depot), chairman and former CEO of The Home Depot
- [Robin Hayes](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/news-events/speaker-series-jetblue), president and incoming CEO of JetBlue Airways
- [Bob Pittman](/node/8019), chairman and CEO of Clear Channel
- [Paula Kerger](/node/7863), president and CEO of PBS
- [Neil Blumenthal](/node/7499), co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker
- [Kenneth Langone](/node/48005) (MBA ’60), founder and CEO of Invemed and co-founder of Home Depot