Former lululemon CIO Julie Averill talks departure, job of a lifetime, and various new opportunities

Julie Averill, who departed lululemon in September, having spent over eight years there, serving as EVP, Chief Information Officer, has taken to social media to discuss her next move.

In a LinkedIn post, she said: “Early this year, I told lululemon I was leaving. Not for another job. For something harder: an intentional future I had to build myself. The doubts were real. The fear was real. I'd had a full-time job since high school. Who was I without that structure, that title, that identity?”

“But I did the work. Connecting with CEOs and board members. Learning from founders. Saying yes. Conferences. Speaking. Education. Writing a book. Rebuilding child like curiosity that happens when you don't have anything to fall back on. Discovering what I was capable of when no one was setting my agenda but me. Then the universe tested me.”

She added: “Four months ago, I got the call. The job of a lifetime at an incredible global brand. Everything I thought I wanted: the culture, the history, the future potential. I spent months interviewing, building relationships, imagining myself in that role.”

“Today, I walked away from it. Not because it wasn't amazing. But because something unexpected happened in these nine months: I built something that mattered more.”

Averill noted that her book is resonating with people. Board opportunities also keep coming. Speaking opportunities are appearing, and advisory work is coming in. “And this life where I control my daily choices, where I'm building something entirely my own? I'm not ready to give that up.”

She continued: “Here's what I've learned: Setting goals is important. Doing the work is essential. But the hardest part? Betting on yourself when it counts. When there's a "safer" option right in front of you. When everyone might think you're crazy for walking away.”

“I'm betting on me. On the foundation I've built. On the future I'm creating. If you're in the middle of your own reinvention, wondering if it's working, if you're enough: Keep going. Do the work. And when the moment comes to choose yourself over the expected path, I hope you find the courage to do it. The intentional life is worth it.”

O Canada

Earlier this week, lululemon, in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), revealed its new athlete kit for Team Canada ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

This marks its third games as official outfitter of Team Canada in a multi-year partnership with the COC and CPC.

“In collaboration with Canada’s top athletes, we’ve applied insights and learnings from our last two Games to create a kit with deeper focus on innovation and inclusion, while delivering both function and style,” said Calvin McDonald, CEO at lululemon.

“As a country that thrives in the cold, the Winter Games are particularly special to Canadians, and all of us at lululemon are incredibly proud to support Team Canada on the world’s largest sporting stage with product designed for athletes, and with athletes.” 

Athletes, coaches, and support staff will wear Team Canada apparel throughout key moments at the games, including the opening and closing ceremonies, medal ceremonies, media appearances, travel and daily life in the Athlete Village. 

The Team Canada x lululemon retail collection launches this week online in Canada and the United States , and in lululemon stores across Canada and in Milan. Additional Team Canada apparel and accessories will become available in Canada and the US in the lead up to the games.