Building a Career Without Missing the Moments That Matter

By: Liz Lazar, Co-Founder & Principal, Omni Strategy Partners

For a long time, I believed the only way to build a meaningful career was to accept the pace that came with it. Long hours, rigid schedules, and a constant sense that work always came first. In many ways, that pace is normalized, especially for people who care deeply about the organizations they serve.

But over time, I started to question that assumption.

As a single parent, the structure of life looks a little different. There isn’t another adult coordinating schedules, sharing school responsibilities, or filling in the gaps when something unexpected happens. My children rely on me in ways that go beyond logistics. They need presence, stability, and time — things that can be difficult to protect when work is designed around a completely different set of expectations.

At the same time, stepping away from meaningful work has never felt like the right answer either. I genuinely enjoy helping organizations think strategically, strengthen their financial sustainability, and build systems that allow them to operate more effectively. There is something deeply satisfying about helping mission-driven organizations become stronger and more sustainable.

What I’ve come to realize is that the real challenge isn’t choosing between family and career. The real challenge is designing a way to pursue both without constantly sacrificing one for the other.

That realization is part of what led me to join Omni Strategy Partners full-time as a co-founder alongside my brother. Building something together as a family feels meaningful in its own right, but it also reflects a shared belief that work can be done differently — with intention, flexibility, and a focus on long-term impact.

For me, this next chapter is about alignment. I want my children to see a parent who shows up for them and who also pursues work that matters. I want them to see that independence, family, and ambition don’t have to compete with each other.

Because the most meaningful measure of success isn’t just what you build in your career — it’s whether the life you build alongside it is one you’re actually present to live.