Corina Ocanto didn’t grow up dreaming about workplace strategy. She trained as an architect and designer, went on to work with some of the world’s most recognized companies, and built a career grounded in creativity, purpose, and people.
But somewhere along the way, drawing buildings became less important than understanding the people inside them. In this episode of Fika Friday at the Office, I sat down with Corina to talk about how she moved from the drafting table to the heart of employee experience, and why she believes the future of the workplace is less about assets and more about intention.
“Design the employee experience like a product. What are the pain points? What brings joy? Build from that.”
10 Takeaways from Corina Ocanto on Workplace Strategy
Each of Corina’s insights comes from real-world experiments. From her time at tech unicorns to her current work designing agile workplace playbooks, she’s been at the center of what’s changing and what still needs to change. Here are ten takeaways that stood out in our conversation.
1. Design Thinking Isn’t Just for Spaces
Corina’s design education gave her a framework for problem-solving, not just aesthetics. It’s a skill she still uses in her workplace consulting practice, helping companies design experiences with people at the center.
2. The Workplace Is a Living Product
Corina urges leaders to move beyond static policies. Instead, treat workplace experience like a product that evolves with user testing, feedback loops, and intentional iterations.
3. Long Timelines Can Kill Creativity
“It takes six years to build a building. But you can transform a workplace in months.”
Corina transitioned from architectural projects to workplace design because of the faster impact and closer relationship with end users.
4. The Future Office Isn’t Built Yet
Corina doesn’t believe the office is obsolete, but she’s clear that the old model is. If we keep building what we’ve always built, we’ll lose relevance.
5. Experience Management Needs to Be Designed, Too
When Corina helped transform HSBC’s New York HQ, one of her proudest achievements wasn’t spatial, it was operational. She helped prototype entirely new roles to support hybrid work culture.
6. The Office Should Be a Brand Experience
She sees physical space as an extension of employer brand, and a tool to attract, retain, and inspire employees.
7. Next-Gen Workers Want Craft, Not Just Code
“Gen Z has had all the tech. Now they want the analog experience they missed.”
From crochet to vinyl records, Corina sees a cultural shift happening, the one that values tactile, authentic, human moments. The workplace should reflect that, too.
8. AI Will Force It to Grow Up
Corina acknowledges the power of AI, but warns leaders: ignoring it is not an option. Smart companies will invest in training, policy, and thoughtful integration.
9. Pilots Create Proof
Her work with HSBC included one of the most thorough pilot programs I’ve heard of, from desk-sharing tech to barista bars to service design. It’s a case study in thoughtful transformation.
10. Bad Offices Won’t Survive. Good Ones Will Evolve.
“People don’t need to commute. So if you’re asking them to, make it worth it.”
Whether it’s hospitality, comfort, or creative space, employees want something in return for their time. Offices that offer meaningful experience will thrive. The rest won’t.
Final Thoughts
What stood out most in this conversation with Corina was her clarity. There were no buzzwords, no performative jargon. Just someone who’s walked the walk and now helps companies ask better questions about the spaces they build and the people they build them for.
In a world that’s still figuring out what “return to the office” even means, voices like Corina’s matter. Because they remind us: the future of work won’t be built with concrete alone. It’ll be built with curiosity, care, and the courage to start over.
