In today's fintech ecosystem, where trust, scale, and innovation define success, Youyi (Lesley) Li has established herself as a standout leader. As Head of Strategic Partnerships at Chargeblast and Founder & CEO of Lumina Media, she is shaping the future of payments and creator partnerships while serving as a Merchant Risk Council (MRC) instructor and recognized global voice in fintech. Her career reflects both industry-shaping achievements and a vision for building cross-cultural bridges in business.
Building Global Bridges in Fintech
Armed with dual bachelor's degrees in Computer Science and Media, Culture & Communication, plus an MPA in Social Impact Investment from NYU, Lesley combines technical acumen with communication strategy. Her expertise in international business development allows her to bridge Eastern and Western markets—an edge that has defined her career.
At Chargeblast, she plays a key role in expanding the platform's reach, which now protects over $5 billion in annual merchant transaction volume across 5,000+ merchants worldwide. This growth has positioned Chargeblast among the top global players in chargeback automation.
Reshaping the Payments Industry
Lesley spearheaded the development of the first fully automated chargeback management system for payment processors—a breakthrough supporting platforms processing $3 trillion+ annually. This milestone solidified Chargeblast as the only provider offering full automation with Adyen and Checkout.com.
She has also established exclusive strategic partnerships with global leaders, including Adyen, Checkout.com, and Airwallex, further strengthening Chargeblast's global footprint and enabling enterprise merchants to adopt dispute automation at scale.
Educating the Next Generation
Beyond enterprise growth, Lesley is shaping industry knowledge. As an MRC Instructor & SME, she authored the Chargeback Essentials course, now adopted by over 11,000 professionals worldwide. This initiative has set the gold standard for chargeback and fraud prevention education, directly strengthening U.S. fintech competitiveness.
Industry Recognition
Lesley's leadership has been featured in leading industry publications and showcased at prestigious global conferences, including Sigma Asia. These accolades reflect her sustained thought leadership and executional excellence.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Lesley is expanding her impact by:
- Scaling Lumina Media into a global hub for creator–brand partnerships.
- Contributing to fintech policy frameworks, ensuring U.S. leadership in innovation and security.
Her long-term vision is clear: to shape the global payments ecosystem, advance creator-brand economies, and strengthen the U.S. economic landscape through innovation and cross-cultural leadership.
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