Who is Scott Belsky? - Adobe Executive and Entrepreneur
| Scott Belsky | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Scott Belsky |
| Occupation | Chief Strategy Officer, Executive Vice President of Design & Emerging Products at Adobe |
| Education | MBA from Harvard Business School, BS in Economics, Entrepreneurship, DEA from Cornell University |
| Notable Works | Founder of Behance, Author of "Making Ideas Happen" and "The Messy Middle" |
| Investment Activity | Early advisor and investor in companies like Pinterest, Uber, and sweetgreen |
| Industry Impact | Included in Fast Company's list of "100 Most Creative People in Business" in 2010 |
| Advisory Roles | Advisory Board of Cornell University's Entrepreneurship Program, Boards of the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and the MoMA |
Early Education and Career Beginnings
Scott Belsky's professional journey began with his education at Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York, where he studied Economics, Entrepreneurship, and Design & Environmental Analysis (DEA). Cornell is known for its diverse academic programs and notable alumni, including business leaders, politicians, and scholars. After completing his undergraduate degree, Belsky furthered his education at Harvard Business School, one of the most prestigious business schools globally, earning an MBA.
Goldman Sachs and Leadership Development
In May 2002, Belsky joined Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment banking, securities, and investment management firm headquartered in New York City. He spent two years in European Markets and over two years in the Pine Street Leadership Development Initiative, gaining valuable experience in finance and leadership.
Founding Behance and Empowering Creatives
In 2006, Belsky founded Behance LLC, the leading online platform for creatives to showcase and discover creative work. Behance became a pivotal community for millions of creative professionals worldwide. Under Belsky's leadership as CEO, Behance also powered portfolio displays for top art and design schools and organizations, as well as personal websites through "Adobe Portfolio."
Adobe: A New Chapter
Adobe, a multinational computer software company known for its creative and multimedia products, acquired Behance in 2012. Belsky joined Adobe, taking on the role of Head of Behance & VP Products, Creative Cloud, where he led the Behance business unit and Creative Cloud mobile products, marketplace, and services.
Expanding Roles and Influence at Adobe
Belsky's role at Adobe expanded over the years. In December 2017, he became the Chief Product Officer and Executive Vice President of Creative Cloud, leading product management, strategy, engineering, and design for Adobe's creative products and services. In March 2023, he took on the role of Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of Design & Emerging Products, focusing on company-wide strategy and corporate development.
Venture Partner and Seed Investor
Between his roles at Adobe, Belsky served as a Venture Partner at Benchmark, a prominent venture capital firm, from February 2016 to January 2020. He has been a seed investor since 2010, supporting early-stage companies in various sectors, including consumer, marketplace, and enterprise.
Authorship and Thought Leadership
Belsky is also an accomplished author, having written the international bestselling books "Making Ideas Happen" and "The Messy Middle." He contributes to the creative community through his newsletter "Implications" and has been recognized for his influence, including being listed in Fast Company's "100 Most Creative People in Business."
Advisory and Board Roles
In addition to his professional roles, Belsky serves on the Advisory Board of Cornell University's Entrepreneurship Program and the Boards of the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), contributing to the intersection of design, technology, and business.
Scott Belsky's career reflects a commitment to empowering the creative community, fostering innovation in technology and design, and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and creative professionals.