Chester Yang ’92 Speaks at UCR School of Business Commencement 2017
The University of California, Riverside School of Business welcomed international business powerhouse and alumnus, Chester T. Yang, as their 2017 School of Business Commencement Speaker.
The ceremony, held on campus, brought together graduates, families, faculty, and staff to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduating class. Having an alumnus of Yang’s stature return to address students underscored the values of leadership, perseverance, and community that are central to the School of Business mission.
Chester T. Yang, ’92 alumnus, is the CEO of Bunge China and oversees Bunge Asia Operations for Bunge Limited, a $60 billion company. Headquartered in New York, Bunge Limited is a global agribusiness and foods company with more than 47,000 employees in over 50 countries. His leadership in this role has not only influenced the growth of a multinational company but has also positioned him as an example of the global impact UC Riverside alumni can make in their careers.
Mr. Yang is not only a leader in the agricultural business in China, but also an agent of change through his philanthropic work. He transformed a primary school in an impoverished community in a rural part of China that carries his father’s namesake, Shangrao Wang Yang Lin Hope Primary School, in Jiangxi. He not only provided water, power, desks and chairs, he raised teaching salaries, changed the curriculum, and used his business connections with Lenovo to bring in the latest learning technology. His work in this area demonstrated that leadership extends beyond the corporate sphere and into service that directly improves lives.
“We turned a little school that was in the middle of nowhere into the top tech elementary and middle school in the Jiangxi province,” Yang says. “Even though these kids came from uneducated families, every year our students would rank in the top 3 in the Chinese national exams within the municipality.”
His academic background reflects his commitment to lifelong learning and excellence. Chester has a PhD in Law from the China University of Political Science and Law, an MBA from Rutgers University, State University of New Jersey, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of California at Riverside. He has also completed Executive Leadership Programs with the Management and Business Schools of Harvard University and Washington University. This combination of global academic experience has helped shape him into a versatile and forward-thinking leader.
Prior to joining Bunge, Chester worked for Cargill Inc. for 14 years across various locations in management and merchandising positions in the USA and China. Before joining Cargill, Chester worked for Kleinwort Benson PLC in New York, London, and Hong Kong, in both corporate finance and equities. This international trajectory gave him insight into diverse business cultures and practices, preparing him for the challenges of leading a major agribusiness in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Chester T. Yang’s exemplifies the School of Business’ mission to create world-class leaders that also manage and sustain opportunities for growth in their community,” Dean Yunzeng Wang explains. “We are honored to have our alumnus return to the university to inspire the next generation as they embark on their journey after graduation.”
For the graduating class of 2017, Yang’s message was more than a keynote address; it was a powerful reminder that success is defined not only by professional milestones but also by the impact one has on others. His journey from UC Riverside to global leadership served as inspiration for graduates to embrace opportunities, remain resilient in the face of challenges, and give back to the communities that shape them.