Jill Hazelbaker

SVP, Communications & Public Policy
Uber
US

PR veteran Jill Hazelbaker became Uber’s head of public policy and communications in 2017. Uber was among the champions for Proposition 22, which allows rideshare companies to keep their delivery drivers contractors in exchange for minimum-wage and limited benefits — and California voters overwhelmingly approved the controversial ballot initiative. 

Hazelbaker’s varied background, covering politics, policy and communications as well as technology, has her well-positioned for Uber’s current aspirations. Under Hazelbaker, the company consolidated its marketing and communications function after CMO Rebecca Messina departed after a short stint. In announcing Messina’s departure, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi acknowledged the company’s brand challenges and endorsed Hazelbacker as being “instrumental in addressing some of our toughest challenges as a company. She’s an excellent team builder and always committed to doing what’s best for Uber.”

Before joining Uber, Hazelbaker was VP of communications and public policy at Snap, which she joined after several years in senior positions at Google. Hazelbaker began her career in politics and worked on nearly a dozen local, state and federal election campaigns, including as press secretary to Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s final re-election campaign in New York City. In 2008, meanwhile, she was the communications director for Senator John McCain's presidential campaign.