How Cultural Understanding Drives Grace Yee’s Life, and Career

Grace Yee ’25 says that having a global mindset and cultural understanding “makes real differences every day.” Working in her family’s restaurant group, serving everything from Polynesian fusion to American and German fare, she grew up interacting with customers from all backgrounds. At Bentley, her Language, Culture and Business major built on that — particularly working (and dancing!) with diverse groups of people and broadening her cultural perspective. 

Today, working as a financial management associate in a rotational program at Liberty Mutual Insurance in Boston, she’s creating enterprise-level financial materials and executive-focused presentations that drive alignment across leadership and effective communication across teams. 

Here, she shares more about how family, education and career have shaped her global approach to business.  

Why did you choose to attend Bentley? 

I wanted to find a school that allowed me to combine both business and language.  

I grew up working in my family’s restaurants in Western Mass., so I have been surrounded by business from an early age. As I got older and started working more intensely in this environment, I developed a real passion for the ins-and-outs of business.  

On top of that, my grandparents are Chinese immigrants, so the Chinese culture has always played a big role in my life. Since I studied Mandarin Chinese starting in kindergarten, the ability to continue that at college was non-negotiable. When I toured Bentley, it all clicked and felt as though I’d be able to pursue all my interests to their fullest extent.   

What stood out about the Language, Culture and Business major, and Finance minor? 

What really drew me to Bentley’s Language, Culture and Business major was that it wasn’t just language studies — it also highlighted global perspectives and how to adapt to a highly globally connected business environment. At the same time, I was interested in the analytical and strategic side of business, which led me to the Finance minor.  

Together, I believe they allow me to approach business problems and solutions from both a quantitative and human-centered perspective. My finance background gives me the technical foundation to analyze performance and then make strategic decisions, while Language, Culture and Business has helped me understand the people and environment that those decisions impact. 

Are there specific Bentley professors or classes that helped you connect the dots between finance and culture? 

Yes, several of the required courses for my Language, Culture and Business major really helped me understand how cultural context influences economic behavior, negotiation styles and decision-making. Pairing these skills with my finance courses allowed me to think more critically about how financial strategies play out in global markets and where cultural nuances can directly impact outcomes.  

If I were to choose what course has impacted my choices the most, I would say Chinese for Business I (MLCH 201) and Chinese for Business II (MLCH 208) taught by Fei Yu, assistant professor of Modern Languages. I thoroughly enjoyed taking these courses because they made me realize that language can be applied to so many industries and made my aspirations to work internationally seem possible and within reach. I also gained important skills such as interview skills and resume skills.  

At Bentley, there’s a strong culture of encouraging students to explore multiple interests and see how they connect for future careers.  

Were there other campus experiences that helped blend your cultural and business interests? 

Yes — being involved in organizations such as the Women’s Leadership Program and the Bentley Dance Team helped me work with diverse groups of people and develop strong interpersonal skills. Additionally, studying abroad in Florence, Italy, made me comfortable with change and sparked a new fire to continue learning about cultures other than my own. 

How has studying culture and languages changed the way you approach business strategy and communication?   

It’s made me more aware that business decisions aren’t supposed to be made in a vacuum. Cultural norms, communication styles and local values all influence how strategies are received and implemented. It’s pushed me to think beyond the surface level and consider the broader context in which businesses operate.  

It has also made me more intentional and adaptable in my communication style. I’m more aware of tone and clarity, and how my messages might be interpreted differently depending on the audience. I’m a better listener, which is just as important in professional settings.  

Why did you choose the finance route for your career? 

I was drawn to finance because of its combination of analytical thinking and real-world impact. Especially since it was only my minor, I really wanted to challenge myself and try to learn something that wasn’t in my initial career plan. Finance also offers opportunities to work across industries and global markets, which aligns well with my interest in culture, language and international business.

You did an internship at Liberty Mutual before getting your full-time offer. What did you learn from that experience? 

For my junior year internship at Liberty Mutual, I worked in their Global Risk Solutions Business on the North America Majors team, which covered industries such as casualty, healthcare, construction and inland marine. I was exposed to the end-to-end financial management process, assisting team members with numerous budgeting, planning and reporting projects. I also gained knowledge and skills with Power BI, Essbase, Anaplan and many other financial reporting tools. I had such a great experience during my internship that it influenced my decision to accept a full-time offer.  

What do you do in your current role in Liberty Mutual’s Financial Management program? 

The program consists of three, eight-month rotations across two years. In my current rotation, I work for the Corporate FP&A team, specifically on the plan side. What has been both exciting and motivating is that my team is very close to Liberty’s executive and senior leadership, which makes my work feel valuable and impactful. 

How have Bentley skills played out at Liberty Mutual? 

I feel as though employers and colleagues have found my interdisciplinary background to be a differentiator. My understanding of language and culture has helped me tremendously in my role because I communicate more effectively across teams and approach problems with a broader outlook. Even in a domestic role, I am working with people from different backgrounds, and being able to navigate those differences thoughtfully is a valuable skill.  

Why is it important for business students to take courses in the arts and sciences?  

I think it’s important for business students to take courses in the arts and sciences because business doesn’t operate in isolation — it’s influenced by people, culture, values, communication and society. Courses in the arts and sciences help students develop critical thinking, empathy and adaptability, which are essential for leadership. They also make you a strong communicator and a more well-rounded problem solver, which is increasingly important in today’s global and interconnected business environment.