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We recently had the chance to catch up with IAFS alum Scott Shane (IAFS & ECON '98), who shared his unique career journey from corporate law to entertainment and now tech investment with Sony Ventures. With a move to Tokyo on the horizon and a career rooted in global perspective and innovation, Scott offers valuable insights on pivoting across industries, building authentic networks, and embracing the unexpected.

(IAFS & ECON '98) is a Senior Investment Director atÌý, where he focuses on investing in early-stage technologies shaping the future of entertainment. After graduating from 91¸£ÀûÉç, he earned his law degree atÌý and spent eight years in corporate law before joiningÌý. There, he worked on international mergers & acquisitions, strategic investments, and cross-border transactions. Driven by his passion for innovation, Scott transitioned to venture capital in 2022, joining Sony’s global investment team. This summer, he and his family are moving to Tokyo where Scott will spend the next year working at Sony’s corporate headquarters.

Can you walk us through your career journey from graduating CU to your current role with Sony Ventures? What were some of the biggest turning points?

After graduating from 91¸£ÀûÉç, my first job was withÌý, an investment consulting firm that advised major pension funds, foundations, and endowments on allocating capital across private and public markets. During this time, the Internet was starting to transform industries. Inspired by that momentum, I left my corporate role to pursue entrepreneurship, launching TheBiggestGameEver.com. Unfortunately, the dot-com bubble burst not long after, and it was a humbling but important lesson in risk, timing, and resilience.

I transitioned into executive search, joining a former Wilshire colleague to help build out a global financial services practice. We placed C-level executives across the financial sector, which gave me a deeper understanding of leadership and organizational strategy. After 2 years in executive search I felt ready to return to school, enrolling inÌý. Following law school, I began my legal career in the Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Corporate, and Private Equity group atÌý. There, I focused on mid-market deals, including some cross-border transactions.

A turning point came when I was seconded toÌý., a major Japanese trading company. I spent 18 months on Mitsui’s legal team in Los Angeles, managing legal issues for their steel trading business and venture investments. That experience gave me my first deep exposure to Japanese business culture and shaped my understanding of how global corporations approach risk, structure deals, and build long-term value.

After returning briefly to law firm life at Bingham, I found myself drawn back to working in house and secured a position atÌý. At Sony Pictures, I spent several years leading legal transactions across M&A, joint ventures, and strategic investments. I worked closely with business leaders to form entities in China, structure partnerships with other studios worldwide, and supported investments in early-stage companies. It was a role that gave me a front-row seat to how the entertainment industry was evolving. Over time, I realized that I wanted to play a bigger role in bringing innovation to Sony. I began sourcing opportunities on my own initiative by networking with founders and investors and attending events. Eventually, that led to a more formal role withinÌý.

The journey hasn’t been linear, but each experience, from investment consulting and entrepreneurship to law and strategy, has built on the last. The constant has been a curiosity about how industries change, a desire to be close to innovation, and a belief in the power of building bridges between people, companies, and cultures.

You’re about to move to Tokyo to work at Sony’s corporate headquarters - what excites you most about this next chapter, both personally and professionally?

I’ve always been drawn to global experiences, whether it was studying abroad in Spain or working in London following my semester abroad. But this next chapter feels particularly thrilling.

Professionally, I’m excited to experience working at Sony’s corporate headquarters, allowing me to further develop relationships with co-workers that until now, I’ve had limited face to face time with. In addition, I’m looking forward to building relationships with start-up founders, investors, and industry leaders across Japan and broader Asia. I believe there’s an incredible opportunity to foster cross-border collaboration between Japan and the global entertainment ecosystem. I’m committed to engaging in meaningful conversations that could lead to partnerships, investment, and creative synergies. The Japanese start-up and entertainment ecosystems are on the rise, and I’m bullish on everything from anime to gaming to entertainment technology coming out of Asia, particularly Japan. There’s so much potential here, and I can’t wait to be a part of it!

On a personal level, I’m incredibly excited for my kids to experience life abroad during their middle and high school years. As a family, we’re looking forward to diving into Japanese culture and establishing new friendships.

Looking back, how did your International Affairs degree help shape your worldview or approach to work - even if your path wasn't traditional "international affairs"?

My International Affairs degree provided me with more than just an academic foundation, it shaped the way I approach both work and life. My degree imparted to me the importance of having a global perspective and the value of diverse opinions and experiences.

Professionally, this open-mindedness has resulted in my being able to recognize opportunities where others necessarily wouldn’t. This viewpoint has been beneficial when looking at companies outside of the U.S. and in working with founders from different backgrounds.

Personally, my degree influences my societal outlook; it’s a reminder that we are all a part of a bigger community and that I have a responsibility to do my part. Over the years I’ve been committed to making a meaningful difference by giving back through a variety of organizations and causes.

Many students and early career alumni worry about needing to have their whole career path mapped out - how did you navigate uncertainty and changing interests post-graduation?

I’ve never been someone who had a perfectly mapped-out career path, and I’ve learned that’s more than okay. Early on, my job at Wilshire Associates exposed me to the investment world and gave me access to a wide range of people on both sides of the capital equation: institutional investors and the managers they entrusted with their money. That exposure planted seeds I didn’t fully understand at the time, but it created a network I could keep coming back to.

When I launched TheBiggestGameEver.com, it was those same investors who helped fund the idea. Later, in executive search, I found myself recruiting C-level financial executives, again working within that same ecosystem. And after law school, when I was practicing M&A and private equity law, I had pre-existing relationships with many of the firm’s clients, which helped me build business from day one. I eventually realized traditional law firm life wasn’t for me. However, when I moved in-house to Sony Pictures and later pivoted into venture capital, I was again drawing on that same network. What looked like pivots from the outside were often just new roles within a familiar landscape.

The takeaway: you don’t need to have all the answers right away. Focus on building strong relationships, staying curious, and recognizing that your experiences are often more connected than they seem.

What skills or mindsets do you think are most valuable for students entering the workforce today, especially in globally-connected industries?

This might be the Hollywood in me, but one of the most underrated skills in any industry, especially globally connected ones, is storytelling. Whether you're pitching a startup, leading a team, or interviewing for your first job, your ability to clearly and compellingly communicate your story (and the value you bring) can make all the difference.

Second, always be building your network. At every stage of your life and career, relationships matter. Friends, colleagues, people you meet at events, you never know who might open a door, become a client, or support your next venture. Don’t treat networking as transactional; be authentic as you build your community.

Work ethic also matters. Be the first to arrive and the last to leave. Show up prepared, stay curious, and go beyond what’s asked of you. That commitment is what sets you apart.

Finally, learn how to use AI and understand the tools, trends, and potential applications in your space. No matter your field, AI is reshaping how businesses operate.

You’ve successfully transitioned across industries - from law to entertainment to tech investment. What advice would you give students and alumni about pivoting or embracing unexpected opportunities?

If there’s something you truly want, take ownership of it and pursue it relentlessly. Don’t wait for permission or expect others to open doors for you—be your own best advocate.

Be open and recognize opportunities around you. Step outside of your comfort zone, take risks, and try something new. Sometimes that means saying yes to roles that don’t come with immediate recognition or compensation. These early investments in yourself often pay off in the long run. Think long term, stay adaptable, and focus on delivering real value wherever you are. The path may not be linear, but each step can build toward something meaningful.