The 2026-27 season marks the first for Lilly Paro as Director of Women's Basketball Operations at Northwestern University. Paro joins the Wildcats after serving in the same role on head coach Carla Berube’s staff at Princeton University for the last five seasons.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Lilly to our staff as Director of Basketball Operations at Northwestern,” Berube said. “Lilly’s dedication, attention to detail and tireless work ethic are unparalleled. What stands out most is Lilly’s ability to anticipate needs, communicate clearly, and create an environment where our coaches and players can stay focused on preparation and performance. Bringing someone I trust who understands how we operate makes a real difference as we build something special here at Northwestern. I’m confident Lilly will be an integral part of our program and help position us to compete at a high level in the Big Ten.”
“It’s an honor to join the Northwestern University community,” Paro stated. “I’m proud to begin this next chapter at such a highly respected academic and athletic institution. I’m incredibly grateful for the people and experiences that have led me to this moment, and those who have supported me along the way. I’m looking forward to being part of something special with Coach Berube and her staff.”
Since arriving at Princeton prior to the start of the 2021-22 season, Paro was part of one of the top five-year stretches in program history, a period that saw Tigers pile up 121 victories, win four Ivy League titles, and appear in five NCAA Tournaments.
This past season, Paro was recognized as part of the Ivy League’s Coaching Staff of the Year as the Tigers finished 26-4 overall (12-2 Ivy League). Princeton entered the postseason ranked No. 23 in both major polls en route to securing a fifth straight NCAA Tournament berth.
Paro played collegiately at Tufts University, where she was coached by Berube for three seasons. She appeared in 78 games during her career with the Jumbos, playing in two NCAA Elite Eights and one NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
Paro earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Tufts in 2020. Prior to beginning her coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Smith College in Northampton, Mass., she served as a learning specialist at the Connelly School of the Holy Child in Potomac, Md.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Lilly to our staff as Director of Basketball Operations at Northwestern,” Berube said. “Lilly’s dedication, attention to detail and tireless work ethic are unparalleled. What stands out most is Lilly’s ability to anticipate needs, communicate clearly, and create an environment where our coaches and players can stay focused on preparation and performance. Bringing someone I trust who understands how we operate makes a real difference as we build something special here at Northwestern. I’m confident Lilly will be an integral part of our program and help position us to compete at a high level in the Big Ten.”
“It’s an honor to join the Northwestern University community,” Paro stated. “I’m proud to begin this next chapter at such a highly respected academic and athletic institution. I’m incredibly grateful for the people and experiences that have led me to this moment, and those who have supported me along the way. I’m looking forward to being part of something special with Coach Berube and her staff.”
Since arriving at Princeton prior to the start of the 2021-22 season, Paro was part of one of the top five-year stretches in program history, a period that saw Tigers pile up 121 victories, win four Ivy League titles, and appear in five NCAA Tournaments.
This past season, Paro was recognized as part of the Ivy League’s Coaching Staff of the Year as the Tigers finished 26-4 overall (12-2 Ivy League). Princeton entered the postseason ranked No. 23 in both major polls en route to securing a fifth straight NCAA Tournament berth.
Paro played collegiately at Tufts University, where she was coached by Berube for three seasons. She appeared in 78 games during her career with the Jumbos, playing in two NCAA Elite Eights and one NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
Paro earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Tufts in 2020. Prior to beginning her coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Smith College in Northampton, Mass., she served as a learning specialist at the Connelly School of the Holy Child in Potomac, Md.