From mismatched expectations to rapid redesigns, the journey of reimagining the office has challenged both physical planning and cultural alignment. This panel brings together leaders who’ve navigated the return-to-office shift after building spaces under very different assumptions during the pandemic. They’ll share the realities of trying to re-engage teams in environments originally intended for remote-first models, and the importance of aligning workplace strategies with evolving leadership visions. The conversation will explore the delicate balance between intention and outcome—especially when office culture can’t be built overnight and buy-in can’t be mandated. Attendees will gain an honest, multi-dimensional look at how real estate, leadership, and employee sentiment intersect when everything is in flux. 

Discussion Topics: 

• Building versus belonging: Can office space design truly shape behavior, or must behavior shift first to justify the space? 
• Aligning executive vision with workplace strategy to influence broader organizational change. 
• Lessons learned from the communication and change management efforts that supported the transition