In celebration of International Women’s Day on Wednesday 8 March, we asked four of our senior women to share their thoughts on how organisations can forge inclusive work cultures where women’s careers thrive and their achievements are celebrated – one of IWD’s #EmbraceEquity missions.
Tracy Massam CFMANZ, Pou Herenga Whai Rawa – Asset Manager, Tāmaki Regeneration Company
A Certified Member of FMANZ, Tracy leads “an incredibly well-rounded” team of facilities and asset management planning practitioners who help make sure the homes they manage are warm, dry, safe and secure “so tenants and their whanau can get on with living their best lives”.
“I act as TRC’s asset owner and am accountable for the design of all the new homes we build and the development of planned maintenance programs for our existing 2,600+ homes across the suburbs of Glen Innes, Panmure and Point England, Auckland. Whai Rawa – Future Focused.” Tracy has worked in FM for over 15 years. Read more about her career here.
What is your advice for women considering a career in facilities management?
FM needs more women! We bring a different mindset to planning and delivery and I believe we are naturally more inclusive and supportive.
Any advice for managers/ team leaders on how to forge inclusive work cultures where women’s careers in FM will thrive?
Seek out opportunities to help lift each other up. Set a great example and motivate other women to be their authentic selves in all things and in all spaces.
Delwyn Miles FFMANZ, Head of Property Management, Te Whatu Ora (Waikato District)
With over 25 years experience working in facilities management, Delwyn is an FMANZ Fellow. Our highest honor, a Fellowship acknowledges highly distinguished and valued service to the association and also acknowledges a recipient’s dedication to the FM profession, professional standing, personal qualities, and ethics. Read more about Delwyn’s career here.
What is your advice for women considering a career in facilities management?
As a woman in facilities you have to know something about all aspects of facilities management, have good relationships with your contractors and learn from them, know who you are dealing with, and build those relationships. Embrace the changes in facilities, as they are constantly expanding. Think strategically, create procedures and always expect the unexpected. Create a well-oiled machine, that is a safe and healthy workplace.
Any advice for managers/ team leaders on how to forge inclusive work cultures where women’s careers in FM will thrive?
Facilities used to be a career that not many women would inspire to be in. Women are now excelling in facilities and growing. They use and grow their intuition, organisational skills, leadership and empowerment, and have learnt on the job about many facets of facilities. These women in FM should be recognised for furthering their professional knowledge.
Simi Mukherjee CFMANZ, Head Of Facilities Management, PMG Funds
Winner of the Brian Happy Award for Facilities Manager of the Year in 2020 and a Certified Member of FMANZ, Simi heads PMG’s Facilities team which looks after 48 buildings, 200 tenants and over 250 service providers. One of our presenters at FM Summit Aotearoa last year, Simi has worked in FM for over 15 years. Read more about Simi’s career here.
What is your advice for women considering a career in facilities management?
We need women to come and join FM so it’s not conceptualised as a male dominant industry. I believe we women can really make a difference in building those deeper relations with our stakeholders and naturally earning their support and confidence – the essence of a successful facilities manager.
Kendra Wallace FFMANZ, Director Business Solutions, Kingfisher Group
An FMANZ Fellow, Kendra has worked in facilities management for over 25 years across a diverse range of industries, including energy, telecommunications, hospitality, education, retail, defence, and tech. She was a leading member of last year’s Facilities Management Team of the Year. Read more about Kendra’s career here.
What is your advice for women considering a career in facilities management?
If you enjoy problem-solving, working with people, variety and making an impact …do it! No two days are the same. Every day you get the opportunity to use your superpowers to your advantage whilst helping and supporting others to ensure that the places and spaces that they are working in are safe, functional and comfortable.
Any advice for managers/ team leaders on how to forge inclusive work cultures where women’s careers in FM will thrive?
Be intentional about creating and cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported regardless of their background, identity, beliefs or differences. I reckon the key to creating that environment is by encouraging open communication. It builds trust and creates a culture where everyone feels that it’s safe to ask questions, share their thoughts, ideas, and feedback and that it is ok to make mistakes and learn and grow from them. In short, enable people to be themselves without fear of judgment or discrimination.
PS Ngā Tohu a FMANZ 2023 Awards are now open for entry. Perhaps there are some talented females you should be encouraging to enter to help celebrate International Women’s Day.
