MassLive recently asked readers to identify people who are leaders from the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community throughout the state, working to make a difference in politics, education, business, the arts or another area of interest.
Profiles of these leaders will be published through AAPI Heritage Month in May. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.
Grace Lee is the Regional President of Massachusetts and Head of Government Banking & Finance in New England for M&T BankGrace Lee
Grace Lee
Community: Boston
Her story: Grace Lee is the Regional President of Massachusetts and Head of Government Banking and Finance in New England for M&T Bank.
“At M&T, we pride ourselves on meeting the needs of the communities we serve. We help our customers start families, buy houses, open small businesses, and set up their retirements,” Lee said. “To have such a large and personal relationship with our customers is incredibly powerful and important to me. Banks like M&T are vital components to every Main Street and community across the country and serve as the foundation for the national economy.”
Lee also said she is a first-generation Korean American and the daughter of parents who speak little English. Growing up her family struggled to make ends meet until her father started his own small business.
The work she does at M&T, helping customers and small businesses find success is personal to her, she said. M&T was recognized as the #1 SBA Minority Lender of the Year in the Commonwealth for 2023.
“I’m so proud of this accomplishment because it serves as proof of our commitment to working with underserved populations in need and our effort to close the wealth gap so that all Massachusetts families can thrive like mine did,” Lee said.
Lee, who is also an attorney, said that she has a unique mix of private and public work. She was the Special Counsel and Vice Chair of the Public Finance Group for Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellot and she was an attorney for Morgan, Brown & Joy where she focused on employment discrimination, labor law and commercial litigation.
But Lee said it was her work in the public sector that shaped her career outlook, fueling her passion to help others.
“I witnessed the terrible effects of discrimination while working as a civil rights lawyer for the Norfolk County DA’s Office and the U.S. Department of Education and later, I proudly served as the Receiver General for the Office of the State Treasurer where I helped establish the Asian American Commission to lift our community here in Massachusetts,” she said.
Lee said she works with the M&T Charitable Foundation to support the bank’s commitment to equality and inclusion.
In her words: “Be bold! Stick your neck out and lean into everything you believe. If you do that, you’ll be passionate about what you do, and that passion will drive you to success. But most importantly, always prioritize giving back and find ways to elevate those around you.”
We’re always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
