You can’t mandate culture: Insights from WorkX Dallas

In this episode, Christina Jameson, Director of Workplace at OFS, and Lydia Moya, Brand Manager at OFS, reflect on conversations with workplace leaders from organizations like Warner Music Group, PepsiCo, Eli Lilly, Microsoft, UT Health San Antonio, and TDECU at WorkX Dallas 2026. One message came through clearly: The office is no longer required. It must be earned. Together they unpack themes that surfaced throughout the event including why policy cannot replace purpose, how the employee journey begins long before the badge swipe, the growing role of data in understanding how spaces are actually used, and why middle management remains the cultural bridge between leadership vision and team experience. At its core, the conversation highlights a simple truth. The value of the workplace lives in the connections it creates and the shared moments that bring an organization’s culture to life.

Key Insights

1. Creating a compelling workplace experience—not enforcing return-to-office policies—is what strengthens culture and encourages employees to choose the office.
2. Giving employees meaningful choice in where and how they work supports autonomy, accommodates diverse work styles, and leads to better individual performance.
3. Designing workplaces around community, connection, and purpose—from the commute to shared gathering spaces—creates a more engaging and human-centered employee experience.
4. Collecting clean, actionable workplace data enables organizations to continuously adapt spaces, measure success, and make informed design decisions rather than relying on assumptions.
5. Engaging employees early, gathering feedback through multiple channels, and communicating change with clarity builds trust and leads to more successful workplace transformation.
6. Flexible environments and adaptable furnishings help organizations respond to evolving teams, changing work patterns, and future growth without sacrificing employee experience.
    

Learn more about Christina Jameson
Christina Jameson, WELL AP and Industry IIDA, is the Director of Workplace at OFS, where she explores how thoughtful, human-centered design can help people feel supported, connected, and empowered at work. Drawing on her expertise in workplace strategy and interior design, Christina examines emerging trends and translates them into practical insights for designers and organizations. She is particularly interested in creating inclusive, psychologically safe environments that prioritize individual needs over hierarchy and encourage mentorship, collaboration, and belonging. Through research, industry conversations, and thought leadership, Christina helps challenge traditional ideas about the office and shape more meaningful workplace experiences. Connect with Christina on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Lydia Moya
Lydia Moya is a Brand Manager at OFS, where she helps shape how the company’s products, values, and design stories are shared with the commercial interiors community. Working at the intersection of brand strategy, product marketing, and creative communication, she helps translate ideas into meaningful experiences that connect with designers, dealers, and clients. Her role supports OFS’s commitment to human-centered design, craftsmanship, and creating furniture and environments that encourage connection and well-being. Through a collaborative and thoughtful approach, Lydia helps ensure the OFS brand remains authentic, relevant, and connected to the people it serves. Connect with Lydia on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Maria VanDeman
Maria VanDeman is the Director of Design Strategy at OFS, where she brings together design, strategy, and storytelling to create spaces that support people and inspire connection. With more than 17 years of experience in the commercial design industry, Maria has built a career spanning interior design, strategic sales, thought leadership, and advocacy for equity in the workplace. As the host of the Imagine a Place Podcast and the author of Design Your World, she is passionate about elevating the design profession and inspiring the next generation of creatives. Recognized with the 2022 HiP Leadership Award from Interior Design magazine, Maria is known for her thoughtful leadership, commitment to mentorship, and belief in the power of design to positively shape the human experience. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.

Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World.

Read More about Maria in the Imagine a Place Journal

Learn more about Imagine a Place
Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.

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