Scaling with Soul: Culture as the Foundation with Christina Luconi
What does it really mean to create belonging in the workplace—and how do you build it at scale, without losing your soul?
In this episode of I Know I Belong When, we welcome Christina Luconi, former Chief People Officer at Rapid7 and a trailblazer in people strategy, for a conversation that redefines what it means to lead with authenticity, build inclusive cultures, and champion human-centered innovation. Christina’s story is a masterclass in building belonging at work, especially for those who have ever felt like an outsider or questioned their place in the room.
Whether you are an HR leader, DEI practitioner, startup founder, or anyone seeking a sense of belonging at work, this episode gives you practical language, real-world strategies, and the emotional fuel to create cultures where everyone is seen, heard, and valued.
Watch the full episode :
Must-hear insights & key moments
Scaling with Soul: Christina shares how scaling companies can stay exceptional places to work by making culture the foundation—not just a buzzword.
From HR to People Strategy: Discover why rebranding HR as “people strategy” is not just semantics—it is a strategic move toward workplace belonging and authentic leadership.
Building Belonging in Remote Teams: Christina and Christopher reflect on the pandemic’s impact, revealing how remote work can level the playing field and foster inclusive cultures.
Bet Against Me: Learn how being underestimated fueled Christina’s drive to prove her value and bring others along, turning skeptics into culture champions.
Naming What Matters: Explore how language—titles, labels, and the words we choose—shapes the experience of belonging and inclusion from day one.
Culture vs. Operations: Christina breaks down the difference between tactical people operations and strategic inclusion, showing why culture must come first.
Human-Centered Innovation: Real stories of how Christina’s teams navigated crisis, adapted onboarding, and created belonging for new hires—even in the most challenging times.
Christina’s words of wisdom:
“If you want to see me thrive, bet against me. Tell me I don’t belong, and I’ll go to the ends of the earth to prove you wrong.”
“Culture is the foundation. Everything else gets built from that.”
“I don’t do things just to be disruptive. I do them because I think they’re the right thing to do.”
“When you can put aside what makes you different and focus on where the commonalities fall, that’s when amazing things happen.”
“Names matter. The language we use keeps us grounded and honest about what we’re trying to achieve.”
“The pandemic leveled the playing field. Suddenly, everyone was behind a screen—no more boardrooms versus cubicles. It humanized us.”
“I know I belong when I have a really big problem to solve and I’m on the precipice of changing people’s minds.”
Why listen?
This episode is your guide to building belonging in the workplace, creating inclusive cultures, and leading with authenticity. Christina Luconi’s journey—from startup intern to chief people innovator—offers listeners the language and practical tools to foster strategic inclusion, workplace belonging, and human-centered innovation. If you’re searching for “how to create a sense of belonging at work,” “belonging in remote teams,” or “belonging vs inclusion,” you’ll find answers and inspiration here.