Paul Yee helped grow consumer brands like Stitch Fix and Peet’s Coffee through three successful CFO tenures, but he’s equally known for staying late to clean up after events and reaching out to newcomers so they feel welcome. The same strategic mindset that drove corporate growth now fuels his passion for developing people. As Denise Peck, MBA ’85, observes, “What’s outstanding is the way that Paul pays attention to the small civilities that could be so easily overlooked in everyone’s rush to brand and present themselves.”
“I’m a coach at heart. After a 25-year career in corporate finance, including three stints as CFO, I retired and now dedicate myself to helping others — especially underdogs — achieve their goals, with a focus on running, Asian leadership, and my hometown of Oakland,” says Paul. As a certified running coach, he’s guided runners through marathon training — drawing from his own experience completing 17 — while also working with Oakland elementary students to spark an early love of running.
Paul’s commitment to developing leaders runs equally deep. For several years, he chaired the Stanford GSB Asian Circles program, creating deeply bonded alumni communities worldwide. Through his Medium blog, he shares lessons learned from his unique approach to leadership. “As a culture-driven CFO, I helped grow consumer brands such as Stitch Fix, Method, Peet’s, and Gap. I loved bringing financial rigor and empathetic leadership to high-growth, creative environments and generating step-function value. I now apply my finance skills as a board member and treasurer,” Paul says.
Whether he’s encouraging marathon runners, sharing leadership insights with fellow alumni, or simply ensuring everyone feels included at community gatherings, Paul brings the same thoughtful approach that made him an effective corporate leader. His commitment to lifting others up — one conversation, one mile, one small act of kindness at a time — exemplifies the true spirit of giving back.
