Yvette Chang '88 announces $10,000 gift to SIA

Whether she was practicing law in Taiwan or handling international mergers in the United States, Yvette Chang ‘88 has always appreciated the value of international education in today’s global economy. Now company counsel for Mercedes-Benz USA, Chang has announced a $10,000 gift to the School of International Affairs that will enhance international education at Penn State.

Chang attributes her enthusiasm for School of International Affairs to an intersection of things she is most passionate about: law, education, and internationalism. “I value the education I received at Penn State, I value the importance of international business and law, and I wanted to help others share in my appreciation and participate fully in an ever-growing global economy,” she said.

Chang graduated from Penn State with undergraduate degrees in international relations and foreign service. After earning her law degree from the New York School of Law, Chang joined international law firms in New York, New Jersey, and Taiwan. She has served as an officer and one of the initial co-chairs of the Asian American Bar Association of New York’s (AABNY) Women’s Committee for several years and is co-chair of the Corporate Counsel Committee.

Chang is a longtime advocate of raising awareness of the challenges faced by women, particularly women of color, in the legal profession. She helped establish an annual panel for women attorneys called the “Women’s Leadership Forum” and was instrumental in creating an employee affinity group at Mercedes-Benz called “Mercedes Ladies,” dedicated to addressing workplace issues of concern to women employees. Despite her hectic schedule, Chang finds time to mentor students and young lawyers, sharing her perspective and helping her protégés with decision-making and job planning.

Chang and her husband, Victor, are planning to start a foundation that will benefit education, art, environment, health, and animal welfare. Chang feels that philanthropy is an important venture.

“I believe that since we’re in a more fortunate position, we have a moral obligation to contribute. I think everyone who is fortunate enough to give should find what they are passionate about and support it wholeheartedly.”