Lily Schurra: Redefining Success Through Career Pivots

Episode Summary
Lily Schurra shares her inspiring journey from litigation attorney to legal operations leader, entrepreneur, and now senior commercial counsel at a cutting-edge tech company. In this episode, Lily opens up about the pivots that shaped her career, how she aligned her work with her values, and what it means to design your own destiny. Her story is one of courage, reinvention, and the power of choosing experiences that truly matter.

Key Takeaways:

• How to recognize when it’s time to pivot and make a career change.
• Why aligning your career with your values leads to greater fulfillment.
• The lessons Lily learned from founding and running her own consulting company.
• How motherhood reshaped her perspective on work, balance, and success.
• Practical insights for women navigating career transitions with confidence.
• The importance of letting go of labels and embracing seasons of change.

Meet Lily Schurra

Lily Schurra is a senior commercial counsel at Sourcegraph, where she combines her expertise in contracts, legal operations, and technology. Previously, she founded LOLI Consulting, a legal operations and innovation firm, and has worked with global legal teams and emerging tech companies to optimize processes and scale smart. With a background in both law and entrepreneurship, Lily brings a unique perspective on career reinvention and professional growth.

Meet Lily

How She Pivoted

Lily’s career began in traditional law, but she quickly realized litigation wasn’t her calling. After roles in insurance and corporate contracts, she discovered her passion for legal operations; streamlining processes and finding smarter ways to work. That led her to create LOLI Consulting, an “accidental” business she started during a season of burnout and transition.

“I lovingly say that I accidentally started a company, because I gave myself a couple of weeks to breathe, and then people just started saying yes.,” shared Lily Schurra on episode 31 of the Rhonda Coleman Wandel podcast.

Running her own business gave Lily the freedom to choose projects, be present with her children, and align her career with her values. Eventually, she pivoted again, returning to a full-time role that offered the same sense of purpose and balance she had cultivated as an entrepreneur.

Insights for Ambitious Women

Lily’s story is a powerful reminder that success doesn’t come from titles or labels, it comes from creating work that fits your life. She emphasizes the importance of testing ideas, trying projects in small chunks, and giving yourself permission to pivot as your needs evolve.

“Do it scared, do it experimentally, do something. The worst thing that can happen is that you end up in the exact same position you’re in today,” encouraged Lily Schurra on the RCW podcast

Her wisdom encourages ambitious women to stop chasing arbitrary milestones and instead focus on alignment, joy, and growth. Whether you’re starting a business, stepping into leadership, or making a career change, Lily’s journey proves that reinvention is always possible.

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