Connected FM

How do facilities manage critical space and infrastructure data when paper drawings, outdated PDFs, and personnel changes create chaotic information gaps? In this episode, host Andy Santoro speaks with Scott Payne, who shares insights from his time managing infrastructure updates at a general hospital in Toronto. They unpack the risks of relying on static "as-built" drawings, explain why every facility ends up with an indispensable "go-to" person holding tribal knowledge, and detail how implementing a living mapping system transitions critical infrastructure data into a real-time, shared repository.

Host Jim Whittaker sits down with ISO TC 267 Work Group 6 members Mahnaz Ensafi and Dipin Kasana to discuss how international standards and high-quality data drive successful digital transformation in facility management. They explore the core principles of data quality, the necessity of responsible AI governance, and why FM practitioners must focus on defining business outcomes before deploying new technology solutions.

Host Wayne Whitzell speaks with Tracy Hawkins, VP of Real Estate and Workplace at OpenAI. Tracy shares her career journey across global tech and lifestyle brands like Yahoo, Calvin Klein and Twitter, outlining her core philosophy of human-centered leadership. She highlights how focusing on team psychological safety, authenticity and practical AI tools that allow facility and workplace teams to eliminate friction and focus on what truly matters: supporting people.

Extreme weather and environmental events are becoming part of everyday operations for facility managers. Holley Henderson and Dr. Mark Wilson discuss how resilience, exposure science and proactive planning can help organizations better protect people, buildings and business continuity.

Host Dr. Matt Tucker speaks with Stacey Shepard, Advisory Board Member at Building Cyber Security, about the rising threat of cyber attacks on smart workplace infrastructure. They break down the critical differences between IT and Operational Technology (OT), highlight real-world vulnerabilities in building automation, and outline actionable steps facility managers can take to build cyber resilience.

In this episode, host Edward Wagoner sits down with global leaders Tim Allen, Martin Ruppe and Kati Barklund to explore IFMA’s Workplace Evolutionaries (WE) — the world's largest community of workplace strategy thought leaders. They unpack how professionals across FM, HR, IT, and real estate can leverage local hubs, monthly WEbinars, and international events to drive high-performing work environments and advance their careers.

Circularity isn't just about reducing waste. It's about improving workplace operations, reducing costs and creating better experiences for building occupants. Hélène Carpentier shares how facility managers can use circular thinking, smarter procurement and waste reduction strategies to create more sustainable workplaces.

As cities evolve, aging buildings present both challenges and opportunities. This panel explores how facility managers, sustainability leaders and asset experts can drive urban regeneration through retrofits, predictive maintenance and smarter long-term planning.

Successful facility management depends on more than a good strategy. Wayne Whitzell and Amanda Muzzarelli discuss why leadership, institutional knowledge and operational execution determine whether organizational strategies succeed or fail.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping facility management, but technology alone isn't enough. Dr. Matt Tucker and Serena Pau, Chief Commercial Officer at Neuron Digital, explore how facility managers can prepare for AI by improving digital maturity, breaking down data silos and embracing curiosity as a critical professional skill.

Facility management teams are often expected to solve problems they didn't create while operating with limited influence over key decisions. In this episode, Wayne Whitzell sits down with consultant and FM Consultants Council President Grant Sommerfeld to discuss why FM leaders must move beyond reactive operations, use data more effectively and communicate differently with executive leadership.

Artificial intelligence is changing the workplace, but technology is only part of the equation. Matt Tucker and Jessica Schmidt explore how leaders can prepare their organizations for the future of work by balancing AI adoption, workforce expectations and employee development.

AI is changing more than technology. Peter Hinssen and Mikis Waschl discuss why facility management leaders must rethink business models, digital strategies and the way value is delivered to thrive in an increasingly unpredictable future.

Host Dean Stanberry sits down with Gabe Phillips to discuss how facility managers can navigate today's increasingly complex energy landscape. They explore energy procurement, market volatility, resilience planning, efficiency strategies and emerging technologies that can help organizations reduce costs and make more informed energy decisions.

Wayne Whitzell talks with Justin Hitt about facilities management, data-driven decision making, and innovative approaches to outsourcing and community engagement. Discover practical tips, strategic insights and future trends in FM and organizational success.

En esta interesante entrevista, Esteban Martínez y Cibele Verasto analizan el panorama cambiante de la gestión de instalaciones en América Latina, centrándose en la sostenibilidad, el bienestar de los empleados y las estrategias innovadoras para adaptarse a los retos de la movilidad urbana y a los modelos de trabajo híbridos.

Howie Barber speaks with Denis Kouroussis about how continuous electrical monitoring and predictive analytics can help facility teams identify equipment issues before failures happen. They discuss waveform monitoring, predictive maintenance strategies and how data-driven insights can reduce downtime and improve operational reliability.

Discover the “hidden menu” of facility management in this episode of Connected FM. Host Osama Aduib sits down with fellow ISS colleagues Paul Ratkovic and Amelia Ekus to explore how engineering, data-driven innovation and hospitality come together to create seamless, empathetic and proactive workplace experiences.

Billy Holder, a seasoned facilities manager turned prop tech innovator, shares insights on navigating change, leveraging technology and fostering human connections in facilities management. Discover how strategic tech adoption can enhance FM roles, improve occupant experience and drive industry evolution.

Dean Stanberry speaks with Melissa Kaan about how CMMS platforms can move beyond recordkeeping to become strategic decision-making tools for facility teams. They discuss data quality, preventative maintenance, capital planning and how people, processes and technology must work together to unlock real value from CMMS systems.

Host Wayne Whitzell sits down with Kathryn Lopez to discuss empathetic leadership, psychological safety and what it takes to lead high-performing facility management teams through pressure, change and complexity.

Explore how innovative ceiling solutions with phase change material (PCM) are transforming building energy efficiency and occupant comfort, from high-rise offices to schools, in this insightful discussion with Armstrong experts.

Whether you chose facility management intentionally or found it by accident, success in this industry is built on a foundation of service and professional community. Brent Ward and Bobby LaRon discuss their unique "origin stories" and the critical role IFMA plays in transforming a job into a world-class career.

Host Edward Wagoner interviews IFMA Global Influencer Kati Barklund about shifting the facility management focus from physical assets to human potential. They explore how the "power of people" serves as a strategic tool for organizational success and why facility managers must learn to speak the language of the C-suite to demonstrate their true value.

Dr. Matt Tucker hosts a panel of young facility management professionals from Belgium, Kenya, and the Netherlands to discuss what well-being truly means in the modern workplace. The group explores how physical environments, inclusivity and emerging technologies like AI influence their productivity and career development.

Industry experts Brian Haines and Edward Wagoner discuss why facility managers should view AI as a powerful new "staff member" rather than a threat. They explore practical ways to use AI tools to automate complex tasks and "fast-forward" to critical data-driven answers.

Facility management is becoming increasingly data-driven, but the “FM analyst” isn’t a role, it’s a mindset. In this episode, we explore how curiosity, storytelling and data confidence are reshaping the future of FM.

This episode explores the shifting landscape of the labor market and the urgent need for companies to invest in training to retain top talent. Experts from Aerotek discuss practical strategies for bridging the skills gap, from apprenticeship programs to leveraging emerging building technologies.

In this insightful interview, Prince Botwe from Ghana explores the critical role of communication, especially non-verbal cues, in facility management. Discover how buildings communicate, the impact of non-verbal signals on safety and confidence, and strategies to elevate the profession globally.

Joe Scanlin of Scanalytics joins the podcast to discuss how "instrumenting" floor surfaces allows facility managers to capture precise data for energy management and space optimization. This conversation explores the shift toward buildings that can predict future needs and act as intelligent partners to the people who run them.

Industry experts discuss the critical importance of aligning facility management performance metrics with the specific needs and "why" of the demand organization. By focusing on mission impact rather than just technical data, FMs can better justify resources and demonstrate true strategic value.

This episode explores the profound impact of IFMA Foundation scholarships on the career trajectories of three successful facility management professionals. The guests share how financial support, combined with a powerful professional network, transitioned them from students to influential industry leaders.

Michael Amos, Managing Director of Waste to Wonder Worldwide, joins the show to discuss how organizations can turn redundant corporate assets into life-changing support globally. He explains why furniture often considered "waste" is actually a hidden asset for achieving ESG goals and reducing carbon footprints.

This episode explores the evolving landscape of Facility Management in the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on the integration of digital transformation and ESG goals. Industry experts discuss how the sector is shifting from traditional maintenance to a data-driven model centered on human capital and technological innovation.

As workforce demographics shift and experienced facility professionals retire, the FM industry faces rising safety risks, productivity challenges and major knowledge gaps. In this episode, Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Dr. Jake Smithwick, joins host Wayne Whitzell to break down the data behind the demographic cliff, and what leaders can do now to prepare.

Facility management in Africa is gaining momentum. Leaders from Nigeria and Ghana share how awareness, energy challenges and technology are shaping one of the fastest-growing FM markets in the world.

Claire Coder, founder of Aunt Flow and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, shares why accessible period care is no longer optional in modern facilities and how inclusive restroom design benefits employees, operations and workplace performance.

Discover how facility teams are moving from preventative to predictive maintenance using AI and integrated data to improve asset performance and efficiency.

Richard Peterson shares how IFMA’s credentials, chapter involvement and mentorship accelerated his FM career, from earning the CFM to leading a global team.

Lara Paemen and Tariq Chauhan explore how technology, ESG, and rapid development are transforming facility management across the Middle East.

Harvard public health expert Dr. Joseph G. Allen joins host Edward Wagoner to discuss why indoor air quality is becoming a defining responsibility for today’s facility managers. He breaks down the science, the technology and the practical steps leaders can take to create healthier, higher-performing buildings.

Wayne Whitzell, Christa Dodoo, and Maria Gonzalez-Burgos explore key global facility management trends, challenges and opportunities influencing regions such as Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Europe in 2026.

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re revisiting one of our most popular conversations of the year. Lorri Rowlandson of BGIS shares a practical, three-layer approach to integrating artificial intelligence into facility management from individual productivity to enterprise transformation.

In this episode, host Christopher Bourke talks with three students from The Hague University of Applied Sciences about what sustainability means to them, how it’s practiced on campus, and why global collaboration is key to lasting change.

AI is reshaping facility management, but only when paired with high-quality data and human expertise. In this episode, IFMA Global Influencer Brian Haines breaks down what AI can — and can’t — do for FMs, and why now is the most exciting time to grow in the profession.

Jean-Pierre Segers and Jos Duchamps of Brains and Trees explore the importance of learning and development in facility management. They discuss bridging skill gaps, highlight IFMA programs and emphasize lifelong learning and certification for FM professionals to thrive in a changing industry.

Discover how AI is reshaping asset management, from smarter workflows to data-driven efficiency, and why clean data is key to unlocking real ROI.

IFMA’s Matt Tucker and Lara Paemen unpack global trends transforming facility management, from the circular economy to the evolving role of FM analysts, while exploring regional insights across EMEA and Latin America on sustainability, technology and education.

Host Edward Wagoner talks with Dr. Winnie Kwofie about visibility in facility management, the underrepresentation of women and the value of diverse perspectives in leadership. Winnie shares her journey, the power of storytelling and the importance of fostering inclusive environments in the profession.

Rebeca Arguedas se sienta con Edwin Fernández y Augusto Henao para explorar el papel de la economía circular en la gestión de instalaciones en toda América Latina.