Sean Carlson loves venture capital tax. He knows that might sound nerdy, but it’s a big part of what drew him to the industry and eventually to Lightspeed, where he serves as Global Head of Tax.

Sean oversees the firm’s U.S. and international tax reporting, compliance, strategy, and planning. He also works closely with the legal and investment teams on how Lightspeed structures portfolio companies investments and exits. Throughout his career, he’s operated under the belief that LPs always come first. It’s something he was taught early on, and it still guides his work today.

Sean started his career at KPMG, first in Chicago and later in San Francisco, where he focused on the taxation of alternative investments funds. Working with venture capital clients sparked his interest in the industry, and two stints at Kleiner Perkins confirmed it was where he wanted to be. Along the way, he also held tax roles at Legacy Partners and Bertram Capital. 

It was Lightspeed though that offered him the chance to do the work he loves on a larger scale, alongside a team he was excited to join. Just as important is the opportunity to support founders he admires for having the courage to take a chance on an idea and turn it into something that could change people’s lives. Getting to play even a small part in that process makes the work even more meaningful.

Sean grew up with two brothers and parents who worked hard but always made a point of being kind to others. It’s a lesson that’s stuck with him, both personally and professionally. He believes that taking a genuine interest in people, asking questions, and finding common ground can go a long way toward building strong relationships.

Today, Sean and his wife have three kids, which means much of his free time is spent at youth sporting events. The family also loves to travel, fitting in a couple of amusement parks each year and international trips whenever they can. Italy and Taiwan are two of their favorite destinations.

Sean is a licensed CPA in California and a member of the AICPA.