Lee Young

Yale School of Management

“Lifelong learner. Global citizen. Oreo ice cream enthusiast. Candy connoisseur.”

Hometown: Evansville, IN / Atlanta, GA

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m a twin (older by one minute).

Undergraduate School and Major: Morehouse College – Business Administration: Accounting

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Delta Air Lines, Sales Development – Project Manager

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: While at Delta Air Lines, my team was responsible for navigating the development of a comprehensive transatlantic joint venture between Delta, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic. At the time, the project was in its infancy and I was challenged with assessing the combined network value of the new joint venture structure. The primary challenge, and conversely the most rewarding part of this project, was the rigor of thinking through the passenger journey and dissecting how this new level of coordination would change purchasing behavior and create incremental value. Ultimately, this assignment laid the groundwork for a new joint venture that is currently awaiting approval by the Department of Transportation.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why?  Thoughtful. Yale SOM students actively listen to your goals, motivators, and areas of opportunity with the intent to contribute to your MBA journey. The altruistic culture at SOM helps foster a strong sense of community that uniquely positions the institution against its peers.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The increasing relevance of SOM’s mission, “Educating leaders for business and society” was the key factor that led me to choosing Yale. As business continues to become more intertwined with key global issues, so should a business school curriculum. Yale SOM provides a thoughtful, holistic approach to the MBA experience, by not only providing the traditional business courses but also encouraging its students to seek out opportunities to collaborate with non-MBA students, as well as take courses across the university and the world. In turn, I knew that this comprehensive approach to the curriculum would provide me with the toolkit required to identify and solve complex, global business headwinds as a leader.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I’m most looking forward to Global Network Weeks, specifically, taking a course at an institution in Asia or Africa. Working abroad piqued my interest in international business, and I plan to take advantage of the mini-courses dedicated to examining business issues relevant to those regions of the world.

The Yale School of Management is regarded as a purpose-driven program. What is your mission? How will your MBA at Yale help you fulfill that mission? The information age has helped to remove outdated political, social, and economic barriers and has left a smaller, more integrated world in its place. As new opportunities arise from a more connected world, it is paramount that business leaders seek to create a globalized economy that works for everyone and not just for a few. My mission is to be a thoughtful, servant commercial leader focused on responsible international growth, whereby we partner with and uplift the local communities we serve.

The curriculum at Yale SOM empowers students to think outside of the traditional confines of business and across functions, industries, and regions. The strong relationship with Yale University, coupled with its partnership with the Global Network for Advanced Management, a consortium of 30 schools across six continents, enables Yale SOM to strategically position its student for success in a complex global economy.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? The most challenging question I was asked during the admissions process was, “Describe your leadership style.” While I was able to provide a response, I believe that most people, including myself, are aware of the traits they would like to embody as a leader, but are less conscious of those attributes that are actively displayed and observed by colleagues and direct reports. This is a topic that I look forward to exploring in business school.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? Although my seven-year career at Delta was deeply rewarding, I had a growing desire to diversify my background as well as further understand my leadership style. I knew a strong MBA program would afford me the opportunity to learn from skilled professionals from around the world whose awareness, ingenuity and friendship would strengthen my ability to lead a diverse organization in the future.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Haas, Tuck, Johnson, Goizueta

How did you determine your fit at various schools? On-campus visits proved to be the most valuable technique for discerning my fit with a particular program. Online, most programs highlight similar attributes. However on-campus visits really allow you to understand the nuisances that make each institution unique. After each visit, I would take a moment to reflect on my time there and simply ask, “Do I see myself here?”

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My defining moment came in 2015, when I accepted a job in Network Strategy based in Amsterdam. Although I was still with the same company, I knew the role and the location would force me out of my comfort zone and, at least temporarily, expose areas of opportunity. A few weeks into the job, my worries were confirmed and imposter syndrome quickly settled in. Nonetheless, I persevered and, in time, became one of the strongest analysts on the team. The experience was professionally transformative in terms of my technical and leadership skill development and, personally, it taught me the importance of building a strong support system and leveraging that system in times of angst.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? In ten years I see myself being a servant, commercial leader at a responsible organization while also contributing to my local community.