20 Years of Jess Zurakowski: A Legacy of Growth, Learning, and Leadership at lululemon

A Journey That Began with Purpose, Vision, and Goals

When Jess first joined lululemon as a store Educator in her last month of high school, she had no idea she was stepping into a career that would span two decades. A student-athlete at the time, competing in National-level synchronized swimming, she first heard about the brand through friends and was drawn to the Purpose, Vision and Goals program which was (and still is to this day) core to lululemon’s culture. She was thrilled to work at a company with like-minded, driven individuals while she continued pursuing her sport and training 6 days a week. What she didn’t realize then was how much lululemon would shape her—not just as a leader, but as a lifelong learner.

Growing Through Retail Leadership

Over the past 20 years, Jess’s path has been defined by her deep commitment to growth. From her early days as a Key Leader to roles as Assistant Manager, Store Manager, Regional Manager and eventually Area Director, she immersed herself in all aspects of the retail business, embracing each new challenge as an opportunity to expand her skills and impact. With every step, she sought to not only elevate her own capabilities but to shape the experience for others.

Her contributions to the Our Store Evolution (OSE) project and the introduction of specialized roles within stores in North America was game-changing, helping redefine how teams worked together, allowing our people to lean into their strengths and maintaining the Educator role as the most important role in the business. But for Jess, the real reward has always been the learning—discovering new ways to make an impact, developing others into confident leaders, and challenging herself to step outside her comfort zone.

One of the most influential aspects of her journey has been the leadership development she received through the Store Manager (SM) and Regional Manager (RM) Farmer program—a mentorship program designed to support and develop new SMs and RMs in their first 90 days in role. As both a participant and later a mentor herself, Jess experienced firsthand how meaningful support, and coaching could transform her leadership. These programs not only shaped her own growth but also ignited her passion for mentoring others and fostering the next generation of leaders at lululemon.

Transitioning to the Store Support Centre (SSC)

It was that same drive for learning that led her to transition from retail leadership into lululemon’s SSC after 13 years in the retail business. “I felt incredibly passionate about wanting to be a part of building [retail] strategies and programs” she shares. Moving into this space gave her the opportunity to take her deep retail knowledge and apply it on a broader scale, shaping strategies that would support stores at a global level. And now, in her latest chapter, she’s bringing that same curiosity and expertise to the Guest Support function, where she is focused on evolving this area of the business to enhance the experience of guests and Educators.

Jess’s impact on the organization and the people around her is inspiring. “Jessica's leadership is both courageous and resilient, setting an example for all of us at lululemon,” shares her leader. “I have personally seen Jess navigate challenges with remarkable determination while maintaining candid and transparent communication, setting a truly impressive standard for all leaders. In meetings and decision-making processes, Jess demonstrates a unique blend of being open-minded and pragmatic to projects, such as building career paths for Educators and leaders or elevating service experiences for our guests.”

A Commitment to Lifelong Learning

When asked why she has stayed at lululemon for 20 years, Jess’s answer is simple: learning and development. “One of my [core] values is learning, and I’m obsessed with personal growth,” she shares. The ability to take on new challenges, stretch into different parts of the business, and continuously develop as a leader has kept her engaged and excited for what’s next. She also finds deep fulfillment in mentoring others, helping emerging leaders navigate their own paths of development and discovery.

“The thing I love most about lululemon is our commitment to leadership development, it is the number one reason I’m still here,” Jess adds.

From First Role to Retirement

Reflecting on her journey, Jess has a message for her 17-year-old self just starting out at lululemon: “Every failure and mistake is an incredible opportunity to learn.” It’s a philosophy that has guided her through two decades of transformation, and one that continues to fuel her journey today. And while she never imagined back then that she would build a lifelong career at lululemon, she now envisions herself retiring here—because in a company that values growth as much as she does, the possibilities are endless.

Celebrating 20 years of Jess Zurakowski!