Episode 47. Culture Is a Revenue Strategy: Leadership, Resilience & Building Better Workplaces with Allison Fumo

Aug 23

What if the culture you build could directly impact your bottom line?

In this episode, I sit down with Allison Fumo, Senior Director of People and Culture at Next League, to talk about why workplace culture is so much more than perks, pizza parties, and employee events.

We unpack:

• Why employee engagement is a business strategy, not just an HR metric
• How strong workplace culture can drive retention, development, and revenue
• What Allison learned about leadership through her daughter’s health journey
• Why empathy and vulnerability can make you a stronger leader
• How to build trust by listening and meeting people where they are
• Practical ways companies can support career growth and connection
• Why leaders need to ask people what they actually need—not assume

If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or someone responsible for building a healthy workplace culture, this conversation is full of practical insights you can take with you. 💛

Meet Allison - Allison Fumo is a People & Culture executive and Senior Director at Next League, a leading sports technology company, where she builds high-performing teams, leadership programs, and cultures that drive business performance. Previously, she helped scale Penn Interactive from 90 to nearly 400 employees in just two years while building its HR, recruiting, and learning functions from the ground up. A strong believer that culture is a business and revenue strategy, Allison brings a unique perspective shaped by both her leadership experience and her journey as a mother advocating for her daughter, who was born with a rare genetic disorder. A Philadelphia native and Wharton graduate, Allison is also a certified DISC professional and community leader passionate about empathy, resilience, and creating workplaces where people can thrive.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
46:21 Quick Joy Round
49:17 Kids and Everyday Wonder
52:21 Playlist Picks and Swiftie Talk
53:54 Resilience as a Leader
01:02:57 Sports Roots and Culture
01:05:58 Eagles Fan Confessions
01:06:15 Sports Tech Career Shift
01:08:29 Culture Drives Revenue
01:09:38 Engagement Surveys in Action
01:10:53 Think Like a Coach
01:12:16 Growth Paths and Remote Rituals
01:13:31 Beyond Pizza Parties
01:17:38 Ask and Listen This Week
01:19:13 Books and Purpose Questions
01:21:35 Home Rule and Vulnerability
01:26:11 Connect and Closing Thanks