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Most heads of workplace and real estate don’t start their careers in AV integration and engineering, but TJ Cornell isn’t most people. Before leading workplace strategy at Benchling, he spent years working hands-on with IT and workplace teams to build the systems that power modern workspaces. At the time, videoconferencing was in its infancy, and companies needed dedicated engineers to implement and maintain the technology.
In 2016, Cornell came to Slack, this is where he says his real education in real estate and infrastructure planning began. “I had two great leaders, [Head of IT] Dana Chamorro and [Head of Real Estate] Linda Shaw, who taught me so much of what I rely on today,” Cornell says. “We did 21 offices in three years. Talk about a proper crash course.”
As technology advanced, so did Cornell’s perspective. He went from focusing on the AV he was implementing in a room to the room itself to the entire environment. A stickler for details who also maintains a wide lens on what makes great places great, Cornell knew he wanted to build a team and create a function without silos. He found that opportunity at Benchling in 2020. Since then, the leader has been promoted twice to his current role.
At Benchling, Cornell supports three pillars: workplace operations, development, and technology. His goal is to seamlessly integrate all three pillars.
“How do we create an employee experience that operates very much the same in San Francisco, in Belfast, or in a remote employee’s home in North Carolina?” Cornell asks. “If we focus on the employee experience through those pillars and in everything we do, it creates a feedback loop where people feel valued and culture blooms.”
Cornell says Benchling is intentionally weaving playfulness into its workplace strategy, recognizing that a culture of creativity and curiosity leads to stronger collaboration and engagement.
A “surprise and delight” effort might be lunch or boba tea, often tied in with an employee resource group at the company. During team socials or events, photographers and videographers will catch memorable moments that the company displays on signage and monitors throughout the workspace. Cornell knows that small, intentional acts build toward a larger cultural identity. He strives to thoughtfully connect the details to a bigger vision.
Cornell’s vision isn’t the only reason he is where he is today. The leader says he’s grateful that he said yes to whatever opportunity presented itself early in his career.
“The scarier the prospect, the more right saying yes typically was for me,” Cornell explains. “I hope people will seize opportunities and not be afraid to fail.”
Early in his career, Cornell also received some sage advice from his father, a leader in airport design.
“‘You can’t move up unless you teach someone else to do your job,’” Cornell recalls. “That stuck with me. From my first day as a technician, I made it a priority to share knowledge, mentor others, and create opportunities for people to grow. I’ve found that the more you invest in teaching, the stronger your team—and ultimately, your impact—becomes.”
Breakneck expansion has defined Cornell’s role since he joined Benchling. This year, he’s thrilled by the prospect of a year focused on collecting more data, optimizing workspaces, and gathering lessons learned from all of the builds he’s engaged in thus far.
That isn’t to say there won’t be new offices coming online across the world. There assuredly will be. But 2025 is a year to refine, optimize, and elevate what’s been built. It’s a chance to take learnings and push the next phase of workplace innovation even further.
If Cornell’s track record is any indication, that innovation will be thoughtful, intentional, and built to last.
Evolution an Acre at a Time
TJ Cornell got really into gardening during the pandemic. We’re not talking about a little row of flowers and a couple of tomatoes. Cornell cultivates an acre of hobby farm and garden space near his cabin in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, where the head of workplace and real estate explores automation and sustainability in home gardening.
“Our relationship with food is incredibly important, not just in terms of what we put into our body, but also in reducing the energy it takes to get food from where it’s grown to our table,” Cornell says.
Using integrated irrigation controls, soil monitoring, and other technology, Cornell is pushing just what is possible when taking control of your own food supply. He’s eyeing a future where technology makes it easy for anyone to grow their own food.
Audio Visual Design Group (AVDG) is proud to support Benchling with a comprehensive AV installation tailored to their expanding needs. Through our collaboration with TJ Cornell, we implemented advanced solutions across multiple spaces, including conference rooms, training areas, and digital signage. From Zoom-integrated displays to high-quality audio systems, our work enhances communication, productivity, and engagement. This partnership reflects AVDG’s commitment to delivering seamless, innovative AV experiences that align with Benchling’s dynamic work environment.
