# Li Haslett Chen

> Li Haslett Chen is the New York-based founder and CEO of Howl, formerly Narrativ. Her career spans fashion marketing, consulting, publisher commerce infrastructure, and creator partnerships. She served on Warner Bros. Discovery’s board from April 2022 to January 2025; following the 2026 sale of Howl’s creator division to Connexity, she has discussed further opportunities in AI commerce.

- **Role:** Founder & CEO at Howl
- **Organizations:** Howl, Narrativ, Warner Bros. Discovery (former board member), Moda Operandi (former employer), McKinsey & Company (former employer)
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, Columbia University
- **Known for:** Founder of Narrativ and Howl., Forbes 30 Under 30, Marketing and Advertising, 2018 list (published November 2017 under Shirley Chen)., Ad Age 40-Under-40, 2018.

## Career timeline

- **2010-2012** — Business analyst at McKinsey & Company.
- **2012-2015** — Head of Marketing at Moda Operandi.
- **2015** — Began developing Narrativ; the company worked in stealth before its public launch.
- **2017** — Narrativ emerged from stealth in August with SmartLink commerce technology.
- **2018** — Narrativ named a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer; Chen included on Ad Age’s 40-Under-40.
- **2021** — Narrativ recognized by Fast Company and Forbes AI 50.
- **2022** — Launched Howl’s creator-commerce focus; joined Warner Bros. Discovery’s board in April.
- **2025** — Left Warner Bros. Discovery’s board effective January 31; Howl reported $1.1 billion-plus in creator-driven sales in August.
- **2026** — Howl sold its creator division to Connexity in August; Chen said Howl continues operating while evaluating its next direction.

## Achievements

- Founder of Narrativ and Howl.
- Forbes 30 Under 30, Marketing and Advertising, 2018 list (published November 2017 under Shirley Chen).
- Ad Age 40-Under-40, 2018.
- Led Narrativ when it was named a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer in 2018.
- Led Narrativ during Fast Company Most Innovative Companies and Forbes AI 50 recognition in 2021.
- Independent director of Warner Bros. Discovery, April 2022-January 2025.
- Howl reported more than $1.1 billion in creator-driven sales, $100 million-plus paid to creators, and 23,000 creators in August 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — ADWEEK reported Howl’s August sale of its creator division to Connexity, confirmed by both companies; Chen said Howl would continue operating while evaluating its next direction. The report also described delayed-payment complaints from publishing partners.
- **2026-06** — BRXND published a conversation with Chen about shopping agents, creator expertise, and compensation.
- **2025-08** — Howl announced cumulative sales exceeding $1.1 billion and payments exceeding $100 million to 23,000 creators.
- **2025-01** — Departure from Warner Bros. Discovery’s board became effective January 31.

## Links

- Website: https://www.howl.link/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lihaslettchen

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/li-haslett-chen
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-12