RVC-Alum-Keanu-Concepcion-Named-to-Forbes-30-Under-30.php

RVC Alum Keanu Concepcion Named to Forbes 30 Under 30

• Alumni
• 02/16/2026

Rock Valley College alum Keanu Concepcion has been named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list,

a national recognition honoring young leaders who are shaping the future of their industries through innovation, resilience, and impact.

“The possibility of failure always exists in reality, and RVC prepares you to handle that pressure,” said Concepcion, a Rock Valley College Mass Communication graduate. “You cannot benefit from an opportunity unless you actually invest in it.”

Keanu’s interest in media began in high school when he worked on the Harlem Veteran Project alongside his future RVC Mass Comm professor, Jerry LaBuy, who loaned him high-end cameras, lights, and audio gear. That exposure planted the seed for his future.

After high school, Keanu faced an early obstacle when he was rejected from the University of Southern California’s (USC) film program. Rather than quitting, he enrolled in the Mass Comm program at RVC, confident that it would give him the technical skills and hands-on experience needed to move forward. His dedication culminated in directing a film that later served as his capstone project and helped him earn acceptance to USC.

“The critical thing I learned at RVC was that you only learn by doing. Film and TV is very hands-on and brings a level of pressure that you don't feel in a safe classroom environment,” Concepcion said. “RVC created situations where we were using up real time, real money, and real relationships.”

Keanu shared that LaBuy supported his growth by inviting him to sit in on classes before he enrolled. Jerry stated, “Across all of our courses and disciplines, he excelled and really paid attention to the details that made his projects special.”

At USC, Concepcion gained experience on professional film and television sets and earned his first IMDb credit. However, he soon realized his interests extended beyond traditional film production. A course on the art and business of games led him to pivot, taking a risk that required persistence after an initial program rejection.

That decision paid off. Concepcion founded USC Esports, led Zynga’s first sponsored mobile game project, and later joined Netflix Games as a Product Manager. There, he contributed to major initiatives, including Netflix’s first gaming-to-streaming crossover and a partnership with Verizon.

Rising in his career, Keanu Concepcion earned a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Soon after his recognition, the Netflix studio experienced a closure. Concepcion reflected, “You can do things right but still face failure due to things out of your control. It reminds me to keep improving and believe in my own capability regardless of what happens around me.”

While grades matter, Keanu found that leading projects taught him to take risks on unproven ideas, opening the door to his best opportunities. He believes it’s essential to commit fully and do the research to answer questions about things that don’t make sense.

Concepcion advises RVC students, “If you try something and it doesn't work, learn to handle it better next time. Don't be afraid of failure,” he emphasized. “You will fail and embarrass yourself a lot when you take risks. But take the time to think and figure out what's best for you.”

Looking ahead, Keanu is excited to venture out and explore a startup idea in the aviation maintenance industry. Alongside wrapping up his work at Netflix, he will continue to stay connected to the gaming industry.

Through it all, his message to others is simple but powerful: “When you really do your best, you are capable of achieving incredible things. I believe success is inevitable if you genuinely keep improving yourself.