The global electronics leader and Booth alumna shares some of the things that have shaped her life.
- By
- October 17, 2025
- Global
Terry Li’s 10 Favorite Things
Terry (Yichun) Li, MBA ’05 (AXP-4), is head of sales and marketing for YAGEO’s North America region, focusing on the semiconductor industry. Based in Boston, she has more than 20 years of cross-regional leadership experience in the global electronics sector.
Li moved to the United States at age 18 to attend college, later pursuing an MBA after earning her bachelor’s degree in computer science and chemical engineering. She credits her success to deep values her parents instilled in her: the importance of a global perspective and the pursuit of excellence fueled by continuous curiosity. This outlook has inspired her to explore the world and experiment with innovative business models. She has traveled to 65 countries and plans to publish a photography collection highlighting moments from her journeys, some of which are featured here.
“As the world speeds up and days blur into each other, I’ve come to cherish the joy of pausing and reflecting—not only on accomplishments or milestones, but on moments, ideas, places, and feelings that have quietly shaped my life. These 10 favorite things aren’t just hobbies or habits—they are reflections of who I am and what gives me meaning,” Li says.
Acadia National Park
Nothing says summer in New England quite like a day at Acadia National Park. Between granite cliffs and the rolling blue Atlantic, Acadia’s trails feel like walking through a living postcard. I always cap it off with a glorious 3-pounder at Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound on the outskirts of Bar Harbor. It’s a weather-worn seaside shack where fog drifts around wood-fired kettles as lobsters boil in seawater—lovingly run by a couple who’ve kept the family tradition alive for 50 years.
Su Shi’s Poetry
Su Shi, the most celebrated poet in China’s long literary history, lived a life marked by political injustice and exile. He taught generations how to transcend hardship not by escaping it but by widening the lens through which we view it. Su Shi’s poem “Calm in the Storm” is one of my favorites. On the surface, it describes walking through a storm. But at its heart, it speaks to the peace that comes not from controlling our circumstances but from learning to walk forward with calm and grace.
Meng Lan the Panda
Pandas are a cherished symbol of China, but among all the pandas in the world, cuddly Meng Lan holds a special place in my heart. He once made headlines with a dramatic escape attempt from his home, the Beijing Zoo, showing off both his agility and his mischievous streak. To me, Meng Lan is more than an animal—he’s a living embodiment of Chinese spirit: gentle yet strong, clever yet warm, mischievous yet deeply endearing.
Peonies
In Chinese culture, the peony has long been regarded as the “king of flowers”—a symbol of prosperity, beauty, and nobility since the Tang dynasty. It blooms in late spring, quietly and gracefully, even in the harshest conditions. The peony embodies the kind of character I admire most: calm yet radiant, grounded yet full of spirit.
Wontons
Food is one of the most important and enjoyable things in life. One of my favorites is a bowl of homemade wontons filled with shepherd’s purse and minced pork. I mix the filling from scratch and fold each wonton by hand, just like I remember from my childhood in Shanghai, and then I finish them with dried shrimp, scallions, and a generous drizzle of sesame oil. It’s a dish that stays true to traditional Shanghai flavors while still leaving room for creativity—much like how I approach life.
Traveling
There’s an old saying: “Read 10,000 books; travel 10,000 miles.” But for me, travel has opened up an entirely new dimension of life—from the peaks of the Alps to the vast savannas of Africa, the Great Wall of China to the Colosseum of ancient Rome. The world offers beauty but also lessons in nature and human civilization. Travel has allowed me to walk through history—and more importantly, to reflect on life and broaden my perspective. I take pride in being a citizen of the Earth.
Yoga
Practicing yoga has become one of my most cherished forms of movement—not just for the body, but for the mind and spirit. Each session feels like a quiet conversation with myself. In a world that often moves too fast and pulls us in every direction, yoga has helped me slow down. It’s a way of returning to myself—a reminder that true resilience often begins in stillness.
“Hero” by Mariah Carey
When I first heard Mariah Carey’s “Hero” in middle school, I was immediately moved—not just by the beauty of her voice but by the message in the lyrics. To this day, the song reminds me that no matter what setbacks, injustices, or heartaches we may face in life—especially in those moments when we long for someone to rescue us, and no one comes—the truest source of strength lies within.
The Charles River
I’ve always loved walking—it’s simple, restorative, and grounding. I feel especially lucky to live near the Charles River, where a stroll can feel like a meditation in motion. This past May, I stumbled upon something truly magical: the annual run of river herring returning to the Charles before they head back to the sea. Great blue herons come to feed too, drawn to the quiet rhythm of this timeless cycle. Even in a bustling city, nature still carves out space for wonder.
1587, A Year of No Significance by Ray Huang
One of the books that have most shaped my historical thinking is 1587, A Year of No Significance, the landmark work by Chinese historian Ray Huang. Written in English and published in the United States in 1981, 1587 is a profound dialogue between Eastern and Western modes of thought. Huang reveals how the seemingly uneventful year of 1587 masked deep structural problems within the late Ming dynasty—crises that would eventually bring the empire to its knees. Even today, it remains deeply relevant for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of our modern world.
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