Purpose in Practice: How lululemon’s Impact Fellowship Program Transforms People and Communities

The Power of Showing Up

Many Impact Fellows entered the program expecting to deliver tangible results—tools, systems, strategies. And they did. But what surprised them most was how much impact came from simply showing up.

sahil singh , Warehouse Operations Supervisor at lululemon who supported Mile in My Shoes, an organization whose mission is running together to transform ourselves, one another, and our community, shared: “I expected to create impact through visible outcomes like tools and systems. While I was doing that, I began to see that real change also comes through presence, intentional listening, and sharing perspectives.”

Stretching Into New Spaces

The Impact Fellowship invites employees to step into unfamiliar territory—new sectors, new teams, new challenges.

Jenny Basa , Director, IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Action) Partnering, supported UNICEF Canada, whose mission is to mobilize and empower Canadians to invest in the positive transformation of every child’s future. She reflected on the value of stepping into unfamiliar spaces and trying new things, “we have so many talented people at lululemon, and this could be an opportunity to … surprise yourself and challenge yourself and give back while you’re doing it in a really meaningful way.”

Penny Kimpinski , Program Manager at lululemon, who partnered with the Canadian Adaptive Climbing Society, focused on creating opportunities for individuals living with barriers to benefit from climbing, embraced the opportunity to try something new and discovered fresh ways to stay in her creative flow.

Working with PATH, whose mission is to advance health equity through innovation and partnerships, Kate Potter Velan ,Store Manager, shifted her focus from outcomes to presence, realizing that the energy and intention behind her work mattered just as much as the results.

lauren stockbridge , Manager, GEC Service Recovery at lululemon, partnered with the San Francisco LGBT Center, whose mission is to connect their diverse communities to opportunities, resources and each other to achieve their vision of a stronger, healthier, and more equitable world for LGBTQ people and allies. Lauren shared she saw the Impact Fellowship as a chance to align her values with action: “I’ve had a goal to create more space to deepen both my understanding and impact in this area. I’m so grateful that lululemon offers a program like the Impact Fellowship—it was the perfect opportunity.”

Building Systems That Last

While growth is a cornerstone of the program, the organizational impact is equally profound. Impact Fellows supported non-profits in building onboarding systems, planning for long-term growth, and developing tools that will serve communities for years to come.

Kate led the development of a Global Cultural Onboarding Experience for PATH, addressing the absence of a unified approach to introducing employees to the organization’s culture, mission, and values. Her work laid the foundation for a cohesive experience that enhances the journey for all stakeholders.

While Penny pivoted from the original scope of her project, pitching and executing a full redesign and migration of the organization’s website. As she put it, “It wasn’t in the original scope, but I pitched the idea, and they were all in. It solved real problems and set them up for long-term growth.”

A Community of Support

Throughout the three-months, lululemon offers robust support—from onboarding and mentorship to workshops and peer connection. Impact Fellows consistently described the experience as thoughtfully curated and deeply community-driven.

Lauren reflected on the care embedded in the program’s design, noting how each step fostered exploration, growth, and connection in a safe and supportive environment. Penny highlighted the generosity within the cohort, where Impact Fellows regularly shared skills, templates, and encouragement for each other.

Sahil captured the essence of the experience: “lululemon wasn’t just encouraging growth—they were actively creating the space for it. That presence helped me grow not just professionally, but also in how I understand and show up as myself.”

Returning with Purpose

As the Impact Fellows return to their roles at lululemon, they bring back more than new skills, they bring back new ways of thinking and collaborating.

“I have a stronger sense of confidence, a deeper connection to my purpose, and fresh perspectives on how I can approach my work and amplify what matters.” Shared Penny.

The Impact Fellowship is reimagining what leadership can be—rooted in purpose, shaped by presence, and powered by connection. It’s a commitment to developing our people while deepening our impact in the communities we serve.

As Sahil puts it: “Impact and growth really begin with how we choose to show up for one another.”

Explore open opportunities at lululemon: https://corporate.lululemon.com/careers