mcober26@nul.org

Michele Cober is Executive Director of External Affairs & Strategic Alliances at Verizon, where she leads national engagement with civil rights, human rights, disability, consumer advocacy, and public‑interest organizations. In this capacity, she synthesizes technology policy with social impact initiatives, partnering across the enterprise to define and execute the strategy for Verizon’s most influential national alliances.

A seasoned attorney and strategist, Ms. Cober previously served in Verizon's Federal Regulatory and Public Policy Group, representing the company before the Federal Communications Commission and in federal and state courts. Her portfolio included wireline telecommunications and media issues, as well as complex litigation. She began her career as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland and later practiced litigation at Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Hogan Lovells LLP. She has been recognized as one of Super Lawyers’ Washington, D.C. “Rising Stars” in civil litigation.

Ms. Cober’s leadership is defined by a unique interdisciplinary foundation; an alumna of Howard University School of Law, she also holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in vocal music and opera performance.  This background instilled a mastery of technical precision and collaboration that she applies to navigating complex corporate and policy landscapes. Recognizing that the next frontier of advocacy lies in emerging technology, she is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence.