Developing Future Leaders

Verizon is a leader in the emerging market for broadband services, and we're grooming the next generation of diverse leaders to bring the benefits of new technology to homes and businesses across America.

Farooq Muzaffar, vice president of product development, clearly fits that description. At age 32, has quickly advanced to become Verizon’s youngest current vice president.

Muzaffar said the support he received through mentoring and leadership development opportunities at Verizon have been extremely beneficial to his career development.

One such program is the Duke Corporate Education Executing for Results senior leadership development program. Muzaffar was one of approximately 40 people selected to take part in the program in spring 2006.

There, Muzaffar, had the opportunity to take part in small group discussions and Q&A sessions with Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg and other senior leaders to learn more about Verizon’s strategy, and how effective managers can drive performance and create value for the company.

"That opportunity allowed me to get a clear-cut idea of the company's goals for the future and how I specifically in my day-to-day duties can help achieve those goals," said Muzaffar.

The Executing for Results senior leadership development program is just one of many leadership development programs available to Verizon employees.

Verizon also offers mentoring and development programs like the Black Managers Workshop, the Asian Professional Development Workshop, the Hispanic Professional Development Workshop and the Women's Leadership Workshop to help employees succeed in the workplace.