Kevin Li
SVP, Chief Information Security Officer
Cohen & Steers
Kevin Li is the SVP and CISO at Cohen & Steers. He graduated from New York University with a computer science degree and has more than 24 years of experience in technology within the financial services sector. He started his career as a systems analyst and database administrator and fell into technology audit, where he spent half of his career working and leading teams for both buy and sell side firms, as well as critical infrastructure.
Rather than identifying the issues, Kevin wanted to be part of the remediation and implementation process, so he went back into technology focusing on information security and technology risks.
A fun fact about Kevin is that he used to be a competitive swimmer and now focuses his free time supporting his 11-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter, who are both on top 10 nationally ranked swim teams. When he is not at the Aquatic Center, Kevin spends his weekends competing in motorsports racing.
Learn more about the New York CISO community here.
Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.
At an early age, I had a passion for computers and technology. I majored in computer math at Mark Twain Junior High School, and was very concentrated in mathematics and science at Stuyvesant High School. Throughout my career, I constantly tried to learn as much as I could to be an inspirational and pragmatic leader.
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
One of my guiding leadership principles is transparency and honesty.
What is the greatest challenge CISOs face today, and how are you addressing it?
As a CISO, one of the greatest challenges I'm facing today is the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, diverse, and persistent, making it increasingly challenging to safeguard our organization's digital assets and sensitive information.
What is the key to success for someone just starting out as a CISO?
For someone just starting out in the role of a CISO, the key to success lies in a combination of strategic thinking, technical expertise, effective communication and strong leadership.
How do you measure success as a leader?
Measuring success as a leader encompasses various aspects beyond traditional metrics. My approach is to evaluate my success with effective risk management, alignment with business objectives, strong leadership and team development, effective communication and stakeholder engagement, adaptability and innovation, and positive work culture.
What is the value of being a member of the Evanta community?
I enjoy networking with my peers in different sectors.
Evanta Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.
by CISOs, for CISOs
Join the conversation with peers in your local CISO community.