Chief People Officer Fabienne Lopez shares how Xponential Fitness’ approach to work generates real outcomes and resonates across generations. 

By Debbie Bolla 

HRO Today: How do you approach return-to-office policies? 

Fabienne Lopez: At Xponential Fitness, our philosophy is simple: in-office by default, flexible by design. We don’t lead with a rigid policy; we lead with the role and the business need first. 

HROT: How do you thoughtfully tie them to business outcomes, culture, and talent needs? 

Lopez: The best person for a job doesn’t always live near headquarters, so we factor talent into the equation. Flexibility is a tool we use intentionally, not a blanket policy, and when it’s tied to real outcomes, people actually respect it more. 

HROT: What has the response been? 

Lopez: Genuinely positive. Our flex schedule, including the “done by 1 on Fridays” perk when you’ve had a productive week, has become something people actually brag about. It sounds small, but it signals trust, and that goes a long way. Not to mention the not-so-cliché work/life balance “trend.”

HROT: What do you think Gen Z employees expect from employers?

Lopez: Every generation gets a label, and honestly, Gen Z is just reminding us of something we should have never forgotten. You can be passionate, committed, and hardworking and still have a full life outside of work. Previous generations lived to work and we are long overdue for that reset. 

HROT: How can companies balance flexibility, feedback, and accountability? 

Lopez: It’s not as complicated as companies make it out to be. Fundamentally, I’ve always said people just want to be heard, valued, and seen. Leaders need to be transparent about what success looks like, give people real feedback in real time rather than saving it for an annual review, and actually trust them to deliver. When you do those three things, flexibility and accountability stop being in tension and start working together. 

HROT: What is your favorite way to spend your free time?

Lopez: If the sun is out, I am out. I like to say I love all the “ings:” pickleballing, paddleboarding, beach walking, e-biking … you name it. On a rainy day, you’ll find me reading (another “ing”) or in a movie theater with warm popcorn mixed with M&Ms, which is honestly the only way to watch a film.