Dynamic movie studio leader Stacey Snider ’85 returned to UCLA School of Law on Sept. 12 to deliver a Distinguished Alumni Lecture, sharing with more than 50 students the wisdom and war stories from her three-decade career at the pinnacle of the entertainment business. Snider offered a glimpse into what motivated her to become an executive at the head of the 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks and Universal movie studios and how current students might similarly pursue their passions after law school.

In response to questions from UCLA Law Dean Jennifer L. Mnookin and current J.D. and LL.M. students, Snider — the only woman to have headed multiple major movie studios — talked about her non-traditional career path, the challenges of being a working mother in a series of high-pressure posts, and her pride in bringing movies including 1993’s Philadelphia and 2012’s Lincoln to the screen.

Snider added that students should find value in paying their dues and learning the ropes of their profession after graduation, encouraging them to always remain deeply engaged with current events and culture, even if that means reading or watching content to which they don’t normally gravitate. “Get out of your comfort zone,” she said.