Anthony Hill remembers the moment everything changed—the turning point that transformed him from a defensive liability to an essential starter on the HCU Husky Basketball team.

During his senior year, after a tough stretch that included a coach’s decision to bench him preceding a blow-out loss, Hill refused to settle for a diminished role on the team. Instead, he chose to reinvent himself as the defensive player his team needed.

“I knew this was my last season playing meaningful basketball and I had to make a choice, just ride the bench my senior year or do something about it. One thing our team needed was a defensive leader and so I got into the best shape of my life and each day in practice, I defended like my life depended on it,” said Hill.

His determination paid off , earning him a starting spot and later, recognition as the 2013 Great West Defensive Player of the Year.

For Hill, the transformation went beyond basketball—it was about embracing a mindset rooted in self-awareness, determination and relentless effort, principles that continue to fuel his professional success today.

“While at the time, it was about basketball, that was a life lesson and reminder to me that nobody else is going to get the things you want for you. Once you set your intentions, it is on you to do the work to make it happen,” said Hill.

It comes as no surprise that Hill was recently named a 2025 Dallas Business Journal “40 Under 40” honoree. Since earning his communications degree with a minor in international business from HCU, he has been intentional in carving out a path of professional success, beginning at the age of 26 as vice president of the corporate partnership division of the Florida Panthers.

Hill’s early leadership role with the hockey team did not happen without conscious effort. Fueled by the same self-driven determination that positioned him to become a star player, Hill recalls his decision to walk into the president’s office and pitch himself for the job following the departure of the previous vice president – a move he now describes as “crazy and highly ambitious,” but one that ultimately landed him the job.

“Some might say I am either blessed with or suffering from delusional confidence,” says Hill, but the Husky alum credits God for directing his path and reminding him that “there is no room that he is not fit to be in.”

Hill would go on to oversee entertainment partnership sales for the Detroit Pistons where he managed entertainment corporate sales, led negotiations on club naming and amphitheater lawn entitlements and oversaw 150+ live events before embarking on a career at Uber.

Since joining Uber, Hill has built strategic relationships and driven substantial growth at the company—founding Black@Uber, an employee resource group to support Black sales professionals through mentorship and professional development and building a team that grew partnership revenue from $87 million to $675 million in his role as head of regional enterprise partnerships for Uber Eats.

Even what some might call missteps in his life have worked out for his good. He recalls taking a leap of faith to leave the corporate arena to pursue a start-up venture that was short-lived and credits his previous success with Uber for opening the door for his return in his present role as head of enterprise restaurant sales.

“It is a role that I likely would never have pursued had I never left,” shared Hill. “I’ve heard it said that ‘career decisions sometimes only make sense in reverse’ and tough times have led to me running all of the advertising across the country for enterprise restaurants.”

The HCU alumnus attributes his success to a strong foundation of faith and a solid upbringing. The son of Tony Hill, a three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, Hill was raised by parents who exemplified servant leadership and instilled in him the values of humility, service and integrity—principles that continue to shape his life today.

Hill places a premium on faith and family, believing they are essential for maintaining balance, purpose and perspective.

“Every day that I wake up, I know what matters. My faith and my family. In tough seasons at work, anchoring on those things allow me to succeed through tougher times and keep me from getting worked up about worldly issues that don’t ultimately matter.”

Looking back on his journey from the basketball court of Sharp Gym to the corporate arena, Hill is immensely grateful.

“If I never receive another blessing from God for the rest of my life, I would still be blessed beyond measure. I am currently living out so many of my answered prayers and if I lose sight of that, I’ve missed the point.”