Vice President, Global Business, ByteDance/TikTok

Shant Oknayan

Shant Oknayan

Alumnus since 2011

 

In this episode of 'Unscripted,' Karim Sarkis sits down with Shant Oknayan, VP of Global Business, Asia, Oceania, and Africa at TikTok/ByteDance, entrepreneur and Strategy& Middle East alum.

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46:50

Shant Oknayan's career has been anything but linear—and it’s a key reason why he’s thrived. Shant says following his instincts and embracing challenges helped him become successful. His background in consulting, global business and startups enabled him to navigate various industries with an open mind.

Shant grew up in Italy, where his parents encouraged him to embrace being different and turn it into a superpower. His ability to hold multiple, diverse perspectives has helped him uncover blind spots and succeed in an increasingly connected world.

Shant also highlights the importance of staying relevant and up-to-date on the ever-evolving tech landscape. He says being engaged in the world your children or teams are immersed in is a key part of effective leadership.

Shant has always loved building things. From his time in startups to his current role at ByteDance, he finds satisfaction in creating and nurturing new initiatives.

Don’t miss this inspiring ‘Unscripted’ conversation with Shant Oknayan.

“I've seen many parents dismiss the latest game, the latest social media platform, the latest content platform, the latest tech evolution,” he says. “They think, “'Oh, this is what kids do, I'm too old to understand this.'”

Shant OknayanVice President, Global Business, ByteDance/TikTok
 

Highlights from the discussion

Shant Oknayan on IQ, EQ and CQ

 
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