Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, is an internationally recognized leader committed to transforming communities through enhancing access to higher education, developing strategic workforce development programs, and inspiring learning as a lifelong pursuit.

Dr. Li became UNO’s 16th chancellor in July 2021 following a national search and unanimous approval from the University of Nebraska System Board of Regents. She is the first woman of color to serve as UNO chancellor and the first Asian-American in the history of the University of Nebraska System to hold an executive leadership role.

Since joining UNO, Dr. Li has focused on positioning the university – and Omaha – as the state’s workforce development engine through innovative approaches to teaching, learning, working, research, affordability, and partnerships, as well as student retention and support.

As a first-generation student and native of Hong Kong, Dr. Li has a passion for serving learners of all ages and all social, cultural, and economic backgrounds, and ensuring UNO Mavericks have the resources and support they need to be successful as students and professionals.

Prior to assuming the role of UNO’s chancellor, Dr. Li served as the dean of the Florida International University (FIU) College of Business in Miami, Florida from May 2017 to June 2021. While at FIU, the college’s graduation rate increased from 29 percent to 70 percent, an average 20% year-over-year growth in its Chapman Graduate School, as well as a growth in reserves from $3 million when she became dean to $18 million at the time of her departure. An effective fundraiser, giving during her leadership totaled $12.5 million.

As a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Dr. Li’s areas of expertise include corporate governance, executive compensation, investments, and international finance.

She is a protégé in the Class of 2016 Millennium Leadership Institute (MLI) co-sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). She also graduated from the Institute for Management and Leadership in Education MLE from Harvard University. Dr. Li completed two executive education programs on leadership from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and trained in the National Women’s Leadership Forum by American Council on Education (ACE).

Dr. Li is a highly engaged leader and scholar who lends her expertise and experience to a wide array of causes and organizations. Currently, she is a member of CNBC’s Financial Wellness Council. She also serves as a member of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Global Network Americas Advisory Board; a founding member of the International Advisory Council of the Lisbon School of Economics and Management in Portugal; a member of the Advisory Council of CENTRUM PUCP, the business school of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru; and a member of the Higher Learning Commission’s (HLC) Board of Trustees. In 2022 she was appointed to the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank Omaha Branch Board of Directors.

Dr. Li holds bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in finance from Florida State University. She has previously served at Wright State University, Towson University, and Loyola University of Maryland.

Janyne brings over three decades of experience coaching leaders and their teams through the hard places every leader has the opportunity to navigate in our complex world.  From the C-Suite of the Fortune 100 to the micro-enterprise and non-profit executive, Janyne has helped a multitude of leaders on six continents including professional development initiatives and graduate programs in Germany, the Philippines, Burma, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. From the executive team through the IS and HR teams and to the plant staff, her holistic approach taps into individual and organizational potential for increased integrity, aligning intent with action to build trust.

Janyne holds a Ph.D. in leadership from Trinity International University, and continued her executive studies at the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation. Janyne teaches on change leadership in Creighton University's MBA program, as well as teaches the doctoral seminar ‘The person of the Leader” for Tyndale University’s Doctor of Ministry Program.  A co-founder of Professional Women Connect Global and Executive-YP Dialogues, Janyne's most recent community service start-up event is the Gratitude Summit, launched in 2022.