From Hong Kong to Chancellor: How Joanne Li Rewrote the Rules of Leadership at UNO
Celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Story by Hamza Noor
Joanne Li’s journey to becoming Chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha didn’t begin anywhere near Nebraska. It started in Hong Kong, where she grew up before moving to the United States for college, becoming the first in her family to do so. That transition shaped much of what came next.
As an international and first-generation student, Li has spoken about the challenges of finding her place early on, but also about the impact of the mentors and support systems that helped her through it. That experience would later influence how she views education, not just as a pathway to a career, but as something that can change the direction of a person’s life.
She went on to earn both her bachelor’s and Ph.D. in finance from Florida State University and became a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), building a career in academia that took her through institutions including Towson University, Loyola University Maryland and Wright State University. Before arriving in Omaha, she served as dean of the College of Business at Florida International University, where she led significant growth in both student outcomes and the college’s financial position. In 2021, Li was appointed the 16th Chancellorof the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The appointment marked a first, she became both the first woman of colour to lead the university and the first Asian-American to hold an executive leadership role in the University of Nebraska system. In 2023, she was also named the Barbara and Wally Weitz Endowed Chair in Higher Education, the only endowed chancellorship in the system.
Her leadership has been shaped by a clear focus on student success and workforce development, two ideas she often describes as closely connected. At UNO, that has meant positioning the university as part of the wider community, not separate from it, with an emphasis on accessibility, partnerships, and preparing students for life beyond graduation. That connection between education and the wider economy is also reflected in her role with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Li joined the Omaha Branch Board of Directors in 2023 and was named chair in 2026, contributing to discussions around economic conditions, workforce needs, and regional development across the Tenth District.
Alongside these roles, she continues to serve on a number of national and international boards, including the Higher Learning Commission and CNBC’s Global Financial Wellness Advisory Council, extending her influence beyond a single institution. Her career hasn’t followed a single straight line, but there’s a consistency in how she approaches it. Li often credits her growth to staying open to learning and to the advice she once received to “look up”, even while achieving success in the present.
From Hong Kong to Omaha, her journey reflects more than progression through leadership roles. It’s a path shaped by opportunity, support, and a focus on creating those same opportunities for others.