MENLO PARK, July 12 — Susan Li, the chief financial officer of Meta, has become one of the most closely watched figures in corporate America, steering the social media giant through a period of aggressive cost-cutting and massive bets on artificial intelligence. Li, who was born in 1986 in Portland, Oregon, took over as Meta’s CFO in November 2022, succeeding David Wehner. Her rise to the top finance role capped a 14-year career at the company that began when she joined Facebook in 2008 as a financial analyst.
During her tenure, Li has held several key positions, including Vice President of Finance and Head of Financial Planning. These roles placed her at the centre of Meta’s financial operations as the company navigated a turbulent period in the tech sector.
Revenue growth and cost discipline
Under Li’s financial leadership, Meta reported 2024 revenue of $134.9 billion, a 22% increase from $110.6 billion in 2023. The company’s capital expenditures for the year reached $37.2 billion, reflecting the heavy investment required to maintain and expand its infrastructure. Li has also been instrumental in implementing significant cost-cutting measures.
In 2023, Meta laid off 21,000 employees as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and improve efficiency. These moves were seen as a response to a challenging advertising market and the need to focus resources on priority areas.
The encouraging part for investors has been Li’s clear communication about the company’s financial priorities. In February 2025, she announced a $50 billion share buyback program, signalling confidence in Meta’s long-term prospects.
AI investment and capital allocation
Perhaps the most significant announcement under Li’s watch came in February 2025, when she outlined a $60–$65 billion AI investment plan for the year. She stated that AI infrastructure would be the company’s top capital allocation priority, a commitment that underscores Meta’s strategic shift toward artificial intelligence. This massive investment plan positions Meta alongside other tech giants racing to build out AI capabilities.
The company is betting that advances in AI will drive future growth across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Li holds a BA in Economics and Mathematics from Stanford University, which she earned in 2008, and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, completed in 2015.
Her academic background in quantitative fields has served her well in navigating the complex financial landscape of a company with a market value exceeding $1 trillion.
Recognition and outlook
In 2023, Li was named to Fortune’s 40 Under 40 list, a recognition of her rapid ascent in the corporate world. At Meta, she is seen as a steady hand guiding the company’s finances through a period of transformation. Early findings suggest that Li’s approach—combining fiscal discipline with strategic investment—has helped stabilise Meta’s finances while positioning it for future growth.
The 22% revenue increase in 2024 provides some evidence that the cost-cutting measures have not come at the expense of top-line growth. For investors and employees alike, the key question remains whether the massive AI investments will deliver the returns Meta anticipates.
Patients, in this case shareholders, should talk to their financial advisors about how these developments might affect their portfolios. As always, it is wise to consult your doctor—or in this case, your financial professional—before making any decisions based on corporate earnings reports.
Sources
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