Maryann Li is the Chief Executive Officer of Ascend, where her leadership marks a dynamic new chapter for the organization. Since joining Ascend in 2021 as Chief Operating Officer, Maryann has also served as the organization's President and led key initiatives that have shaped the organization’s growth and stability. Maryann led and developed Ascend’s executive team to drive internal alignment, strengthen the financial foundation and organizational systems, and developed strategies to support long-term sustainability.
Before Ascend, Maryann held senior leadership roles in national education organizations and scaling at the largest CMO in NYC. She began her career on the trading floor at Barclays Capital in Interest Rate Derivatives.
Maryann holds a degree from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce and a certificate in social sector leadership from Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. She is a Pahara Fellow and a proud mom of two.