By Van Ton-Quinlivan, CEO of Futuro Health
At a time when organizational leaders are wringing their hands over the future of remote work, our Futuro Health team has built something extraordinary — a culture that’s warm, inclusive, mission-driven, and deeply authentic, all without physical offices. This internal culture matters deeply, because it shows up in how we support the thousands of Futuro Health Scholars we serve — adults across a wide-range of communities who attend tuition-free to earn the credentials and qualifications they need to begin or advance their careers in healthcare.
After our recent in-person all-staff gathering in Los Angeles, we asked team members a follow-up simple survey question: “What do you love most about Futuro Health’s culture?” The anonymized answers poured in, and they were nothing short of inspiring for me as the CEO to read:
A Shared Sense of Purpose
Over and over, one theme emerged: mission. Whether supporting Scholars, improving healthcare access, or building equity, our team is aligned in making a real difference. This shared goal unites us across time zones and departments.
Supportive, Inclusive, and Human
Words like welcoming, caring, inclusive, and safe came up repeatedly. Staff shared how they feel empowered to speak up, encouraged to grow, and respected for their unique perspectives. As one team member said:
“The inclusivity — I feel valued and respected. Our organization truly fosters a sense of belonging and encourages collaboration and innovation from all of our voices.”
Teamwork Without Borders
Even though we all work remotely, our bonds are strong. People described Futuro Health as a “family-like organization” where “everyone truly cares about one another” and “goes out of their way to acknowledge each other’s contributions.”
“We all bring something that makes Futuro amazing. Everyone is open to learn and support the growth of Futuro Health.”
Genuine Connection & Joy
From “virtual coffee breaks” to “All Hands meetings” to “Futuro Health love,” our staff find joy and connection in the everyday. Twice-a-year meetups help us put faces to names — but it’s our culture that brings us together every day.
The Power of Authenticity
One comment summed it up perfectly:
“I’ve worked at companies that ‘tried too hard’ to be inclusive or fun — but here, it’s real. You can feel it.”
The Bottom Line?
We’re not just surviving in a remote environment — at Futuro Health, we’re thriving. We’ve proven that culture doesn’t depend on cubicles or break rooms. It starts with purpose, grows through trust and inclusion, and is sustained by heart and intention.
Our culture isn’t accidental — it’s by design.
I recently interviewed Dr. Angela Jackson, author of the new book Win-Win Workplace: How Thriving Employees Drive Bottom Line Success, on my podcast, WorkforceRx by Futuro Health. In her research of over 1,700 companies, she found that the most successful organizations don’t just say “people are our most important asset” — they act on it. These companies center worker voice, invest in future-facing training, and intentionally measure the link between employee wellbeing and financial performance.
“It’s not fluffy. It’s not soft,” Dr. Jackson told me. “We looked at real ROI and saw increased share price. These are real results.”
At Futuro Health, we see the same dynamic. By creating a culture where our people feel valued, supported, and aligned to a greater mission, we’re not only helping our team thrive — we’re better serving our Scholars and strengthening our impact in healthcare.
