Ivey is excited to welcome several new faculty members to campus this year! To get to know our new colleagues, we asked them some questions to learn about their interests inside and outside the classroom.
Get to know: Shengwen Li
Shengwen Li is an assistant professor of international business and sustainability who is teaching Global Strategy to MSc students, and Corporations and Society to HBA2 students. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and both a master's degree in international business and PhD in management from Smith Business School at Queen's University. Before transitioning into academia, Li spent several years working with international non-profit organizations. These experiences sparked her passion for addressing the social and environmental challenges faced by multinational enterprises (MNEs) and motivated her to seek practical, impactful solutions to these complex issues.
Q&A with Shengwen Li
What is the most important thing business executives can learn from your research/area of expertise?
My research focuses on gender issues and women's empowerment within international business. I focus on the lived experiences of marginalized female workers – such as artisanal miners and smallholders –operating in fragile environments. My goal is for business leaders to understand the challenges these women face, who are often directly and indirectly impacted by global value chain (GVC) activities, and to take meaningful actions to promote gender equality. By addressing these issues at the "first mile" of GVCs, I hope to contribute to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.
Where did you grow up, and what was it like there?
I was born and raised in Jinan, China, a city famous for its natural springs and beautiful lakes, like Daming Lake, surrounded by mountains. Growing up, I loved swimming in those lakes and hiking with my family. Jinan's traditional cuisine, known as Lu cuisine, is one of the eight culinary traditions of Chinese food, and it has influenced my love for trying new recipes and dishes from all around the world. To me, food is a way to explore different cultures, and I love sharing that experience with others. Jinan also has a rich history that spans more than 4,000 years, and the Confucian (based on ideas of the Chinese philosopher Confucius) values that are deeply woven into the city's culture sparked my interest in history and philosophy.
Who have been your strongest influences in life?
Two women have profoundly shaped my life – my grandmother and my mother. My grandmother, despite never having the opportunity to attend school, is one of the wisest people I know. She filled my childhood with stories of imagination and local folklore, showing me the beauty of curiosity and creativity. From her, I learned the value of education, particularly for women, as a way to pursue lifelong happiness and independence. My mother has been my biggest guiding light. She’s an independent thinker, always respecting my choices and giving me the freedom to discover my own path. From a young age, she immersed me in the beauty of music and art, and her love for life, paired with her self-discipline, taught me to embrace every moment fully. Thanks to her, I’ve learned to be true to myself, to take risks without fearing mistakes, and to see the world through multiple lenses.
And then there’s my PhD supervisor, Professor Anthony Goerzen. When we first met, his tall stature and serious demeanor were a little intimidating, but I soon discovered he’s one of the most insightful, supportive, and open-minded people I’ve ever had the privilege to know. As I ventured into research on gender in international business, he encouraged me to push boundaries and pursue my ideas with confidence. He has an incredible ability to sense my doubts, and his advice has been invaluable – both for my academic progress and personal growth. I’m genuinely grateful for his mentorship; without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
What led you to your career?
My career has been driven by a desire to understand and address the complex social and environmental challenges that global businesses face. Working with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), a non-governmental organization focused on wilderness preservation, was a turning point – it opened my eyes to the urgent need for sustainable practices and the potential for businesses to drive positive change. That experience, paired with my academic background, guided me toward research in international business, where I focus on leveraging GVCs for positive social impact. I'm motivated by the possibility of making a real-world impact through my work, blending theory with tangible solutions.
What do you like to do when you're not working?
I love being near or in the water – there’s just something about it that brings me a sense of calm and freedom. Whether it’s swimming, rowing, or even fishing, I find water activities refreshing and grounding. When I’m at home, you’ll usually find me on the couch with my dog and cat, catching up on movies or just enjoying their company. My fiancé is a huge board game enthusiast, and we’ve made playing board games a big part of our downtime. It’s always fun, whether we’re trying to out-strategize each other or laughing over a silly game. It’s become one of those simple pleasures that brings us closer together.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
Despite starting lessons at the age of six and practicing on and off since then, I never really enjoyed playing the piano that much – until one night during the pandemic. I still remember that sleepless night: the sky was a deep blue, illuminated only by the moon. I got up, put on my headphones, and started playing Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata on my electric piano. In that quiet, moonlit moment, I found myself completely absorbed in the music, feeling a deep connection to every note. That experience made me fall in love with playing again, and I realized how much joy the piano can bring me. It’s a memory I cherish, a reminder of how music can connect us to something beyond time and space.
What is the most played song on your playlist as of now?
I have a wide-ranging taste in music, and I love selecting songs that match my mood, the time of day, or even the setting I’m in. Lately, with an 8 a.m. class on my schedule, I’ve found that starting my day with some classical music makes all the difference. On my early morning drives to Ivey, I often listen to Chopin's Nocturne in B-flat minor, Op. 9 No. 1 and Beethoven’s Sonata No. 8, "Pathétique," 2nd Movement. These pieces have a calming effect and bring a sense of beauty, which is the perfect way to ease into a busy day of teaching.
What book would you recommend to others? On the personal side? On the business side?
On the personal side: Recently, I've been diving into novels and books on sociology. I'd recommend Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami, To Live by Yu Hua, and Disgust Against Women by Chizuko Ueno. Each offers a deep, thought-provoking perspective on life. On the business side: I'd suggest reading books that explore gender's role in the global economy. Two foundational texts are Women's Role in Economic Development by Ester Boserup and Gender and Work in Global Value Chains: Capturing the Gains by Stephanie Barrientos. These books offer valuable insights into how gender dynamics influence global economy and how economic development, in turn, shape gender roles.
