“Remain Curious.”
Her leadership extended beyond financial services and into the world of advanced data and artificial intelligence. Formally as Vice President of Data and AI Engineering at Toast, Catherine led the company’s data-driven transformation, overseeing AI strategy, governance, and innovation. Her tenure was marked by the successful integration of generative AI technologies and advanced machine learning frameworks designed to improve customer engagement and operational efficiency. Through her guidance, Toast strengthened its digital ecosystem and positioned itself at the forefront of AI-powered business intelligence.
Catherine Li is a mission-driven, disciplined, and visionary executive whose leadership journey has spanned more than three decades across the intersections of technology, finance, and digital transformation. Guided by her personal motto, “Remain Curious,” Catherine has built a career rooted in intellectual curiosity, operational excellence, and the relentless pursuit of innovation. With over 21 years of experience within enterprise organizations and more than 34 years in professional practice, she embodies a rare blend of deep technical expertise, strategic foresight, and human-centered leadership that continues to inspire those around her.
Her professional narrative began with a strong foundation in software development, where Catherine honed her analytical mindset and technical proficiency. These early years equipped her with the ability to translate complex challenges into actionable solutions—a skill that would become a defining feature of her leadership. Over time, Catherine’s passion for technology and innovation evolved beyond engineering into enterprise-level strategy and transformation, guiding her ascent through leadership ranks in one of the world’s most recognized financial institutions.
At Wells Fargo, Catherine spent over two decades shaping the digital and technological evolution of the organization. Her leadership as Senior Vice President and Head of Digital Enablement for Home Lending and Consumer Technology reflected her ability to lead large-scale transformation efforts that touched millions of customers. She envisioned, developed, and executed digital strategies that not only modernized legacy systems but also enhanced customer experience and operational agility. Managing a global workforce of over 300 professionals, she championed agile adoption, DevOps culture, and executive-level alignment that redefined the bank’s approach to digital excellence.
One of her hallmark achievements was leading the transformation of Wells Fargo’s Branch and ATM Technology ecosystem, a massive undertaking that improved the banking experience for over 34 million customers nationwide. Catherine directed initiatives across more than 5,000 branches and 10,000 ATMs, integrating modern architectures, streamlining services, and introducing reliability engineering principles to ensure seamless operations. This accomplishment demonstrated her unique ability to blend technical acumen with visionary leadership—bridging engineering precision and business strategy in equal measure.
Catherine’s influence reaches far beyond corporate corridors. She is a recognized thought leader in technology, having delivered the opening keynote at MongoDB World 2022 in New York City and co-moderated financial services sessions at Stanford University’s Women in Data Science (WiDS) Conference from 2017 to 2019. Her public speaking engagements consistently reflect her commitment to advancing the global conversation on AI ethics, diversity in technology, and the transformative potential of data science. Her inclusion in the WiDS Conference newsletter and recognition by St. Mary’s College as one of the “40 Influential Women” underscore her standing as both an innovator and role model.
A passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Catherine has played active roles in communities dedicated to empowering women in technology. She has served on boards such as the St. Mary’s College Board of Regents and the Computer Technologies Program, as well as being an active participant in the Women in Technology Roundtable at UC Berkeley and the Women in Data Executive Forum. Through these engagements, she has championed equal opportunity and mentorship, believing that representation and participation of all kinds are essential to the future of innovation.
Her professional expertise is fortified by a strong academic foundation, including a Master of Science degree from Auburn University and an Executive MBA from Saint Mary’s College of California. Catherine is also a Google Cloud Digital Leader, with certifications that reflect her forward-thinking engagement with cloud computing and digital ecosystems. Her intellectual contributions are further evidenced by her seven U.S. patents—most recently in “Software Versioning”—which highlight her enduring commitment to advancing the frontier of technology and innovation.
Beyond her professional accolades, Catherine is deeply human in her approach to leadership. She believes that true impact stems from connection, curiosity, and service. Whether leading teams through complex system transformations or mentoring emerging talent, she approaches every endeavor with empathy, respect, and an unwavering belief in the potential of people. Her bilingual proficiency in English and Chinese also gives her a global perspective, enhancing her ability to collaborate across cultures and continents.
As Catherine embarks on the next chapter of her journey, she is channeling her expertise, passion, and purpose toward meaningful board service. Having recently retired from executive operations, she seeks opportunities to apply her strategic insight, technical depth, and leadership experience to help organizations innovate responsibly, govern effectively, and grow sustainably. Her mission is to contribute to causes and companies that not only drive shareholder value but also advance society through ethical technology, diversity, and human-centered progress.
Character:
Catherine Li’s character is defined by integrity, perseverance, and compassion. She leads with authenticity and a deep respect for the people and systems she serves, ensuring that every decision aligns with both purpose and principle. Her unwavering curiosity and sense of accountability make her a trusted leader who inspires others to pursue excellence with empathy.
Knowledge:
With a career spanning software engineering, digital banking, and AI transformation, Catherine’s knowledge base is both broad and deep. She possesses a rare synthesis of business strategy, technical architecture, and financial insight that enables her to navigate complexity with clarity. Her expertise in cloud computing, data analytics, and agile transformation has consistently driven measurable outcomes in efficiency, engagement, and innovation.
Strategic:
Catherine is a master strategist who envisions the future while acting decisively in the present. Her ability to anticipate industry shifts, mobilize global teams, and align stakeholders around shared goals has positioned organizations for sustainable growth and resilience. She thrives at the intersection of vision and execution, ensuring that strategies translate into tangible impact.
Communication:
A gifted communicator, Catherine bridges the gap between technology and humanity through storytelling, mentorship, and influence. Whether addressing global conferences or mentoring young professionals, she articulates complex ideas with clarity and conviction. Her communication style reflects both intellect and warmth—an embodiment of leadership that connects, educates, and inspires.
