Rice Executive MBA student Shai Littlejohn is no stranger to reinvention. From law to music — and now, corporate counsel for one of the world’s most recognizable brands — she has built a career on embracing challenges and following her passions.

As director and corporate counsel for global supply chain & innovation at Starbucks, Shai recently spoke at Rice Business' annual Women in Leadership Conference about the evolving legal landscape in Texas.

After the panel, she sat down with Owl Have You Know co-host Brian Jackson ’21 to talk about her dynamic career path, the lessons she’s learned across industries, why she chose to pursue an Executive MBA at Rice and how she’s already applying insights from the program in her career. 

Episode Guide:

00:51 Shai Littlejohn's Career Journey

03:14 Navigating Law and Music

04:38 Pursuing Music and Personal Fulfillment

09:36 Transition to Starbucks

11:30 Balancing an Executive MBA

15:09 Empowering Women in Business

16:35 Conclusion and Favorite Starbucks Order

Owl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.

Episode Quotes:

On deciding what you want and going for it

[16:05] Brian Jackson: If you had a hope for one thing that the attendees today would take with them, what would that be?
 
[16:12] Shai Littlejohn: That they have to decide what they want and just go for it. You know, it's like—if the law doesn't... You can't look for laws necessarily to help you all the time or wait for the environment or timing to be right. We have talent that we can bring to the table. We have ideas, and nothing can stop that. We just have to keep putting them out there. You're not always going to get the reception you want, but that can't stop you from trying and going for it.

What Rice’s Women in Leadership Conference means to a woman in business

15:43: Being a woman in business is exciting, and attending this conference is truly invigorating because opportunities are all around us. No matter what’s happening in the world, we as women have immense potential and endless opportunities to pursue. This group is ready to seize them, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.

What’s the biggest difference in working between oil and gas and coffee? 

11:17: Corporate culture. Starbucks has a unique corporate culture, which I hope remains distinct because balancing culture with productivity is crucial. Many companies struggle to get that right, and striking that balance—work-life harmony alongside productivity—is very challenging.

Show Links: 

• Transcript

Guest Profiles:

• Shai Littlejohn’s website