In today's episode, moderator Tom Ryckaert, a board member of IFMA Belgium Chapter, sits down with Christa Dodoo, the chair of IFMA's Global Board of Directors, and Eleni Myrivili, Global Chief Heat Officer for the Atlantic Council’s Climate Resilience Center and the UN-Habitat, explore the rising temperatures in cities and their impact on facility management They discuss the importance of retrofitting historic buildings, leveraging traditional design for sustainability and the need for targeted education and leadership in facility management to address climate challenges.

This episode is sponsored by ODP Business Solutions!

Connect with Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal
• Visit us at https://ifma.org

In this engaging conversation, Wayne Whitzell and Katerina Karasyova explore the multifaceted world of facilities management, focusing on the importance of professional associations like IFMA, the dynamics of hybrid work and the critical role of data-driven design in enhancing employee experience. Katerina shares her personal journey within IFMA, emphasizing the value of networking, mentorship and community support in professional growth.

Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by ODP Business Solutions!

Connect with Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal
• Visit us at https://ifma.org

In today's episode host Edward Wagoner interviews Kay Sargent, who was recently named an IFMA Global FM Influencer and is the Director of Thought Leadership, Interiors at HOK. Together they discuss the evolving needs of buildings and how facility managers must adapt to future trends. They also go over the importance of human-centric design, the impact of artificial intelligence on productivity and the potential for longer lifespans to change workplace dynamics. They also touch on the necessity for the industry to shift from a sustainability mindset to one of regeneration, emphasizing the role of curiosity and forward-thinking in driving meaningful change.

00:00 Introduction to Future-Proofing Buildings

00:25 Welcome to Connected FM Podcast

01:15 Introducing Today's Guest: Kay Sargent

02:54 The Need for Human-Centric Design

05:41 Rethinking Work and Retirement

10:23 Global Sustainability Challenges

17:06 The Role of AI in Office Design

23:42 Creating Meaningful Organizations

24:32 The Importance of Wants and Needs in Sales

25:47 Rethinking Workspace Design

26:24 The Role of Technology in Our Lives

27:36 The Science of Design

29:00 Future Casting and the Role of AI

30:44 Curiosity and Asking 'What If?'

34:50 The Impact of Neuroaesthetics

36:29 Challenges and Opportunities in Facility Management

40:12 Personal Stories and Writing a Book

43:08 Conclusion and Farewell

Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by ODP Business Solutions!

Connect with Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal
• Visit us at https://ifma.org

In this episode, host Kate Paradis, sound masking specialist at Soft dB, sits down with Francois Gariepy, a seasoned acoustic engineer with over two decades of experience, to unpack the world of sound masking in today’s office environments. Together, they dive into why noise and lack of privacy remain top challenges in open offices, and how sound masking provides a proven solution that supports focus, wellness and productivity. You’ll learn how these systems work, what sets them apart from noise cancellation and why proper installation and calibration are critical for success. Along the way, Kate and Francois also tackle common myths, health misconceptions and the real impact of sound on workplace experience.

Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by ODP Business Solutions!

Connect with Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal
• Visit us at https://ifma.org

In this podcast episode, Dr. Matt Tucker, Director of Research for IFMA, and Gary Miciunas, founder of ChiefCircularityOfficer.com, discuss the significance of the circular economy in the facility management industry. They explain the need to shift economic models to mimic natural systems, focusing on reducing waste and rethinking ownership and operational practices. They also highlight practical implementations of circular economy principles. As well as examine the role of organizational culture in adopting these practices and the importance of collaborative efforts across supply chains. 

Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by ODP Business Solutions!

Connect with Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal
• Visit us at https://ifma.org

In today's episode, host Edward Wagoner sits down with Drew DePriest, Director of Real Estate OT at McKesson and recently named one of IFMA's top global influencers in facility management. Drew discusses the importance of mental health for facility management professionals, his own journey with it, and the importance of creating an environment where discussing mental well-being is normalized. The conversation also touches on how technology and AI influence FM as well as answering a few rapid-fire questions from listeners.

Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by ODP Business Solutions!

Connect with Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal
• Visit us at https://ifma.org

In today's episode, Lisa Hickey and Darryl DeAngelis, a business developer at EBTRON with 40 years in the HVAC industry, discuss the critical aspects of indoor air quality (IAQ) that facility managers should monitor. They delve into various metrics such as VOCs, CO2 levels and particulate matter, emphasizing the importance of proper ventilation and filtration systems. They also share insights on demand control ventilation, the significance of MERV ratings and the impact of temperature and humidity on air quality.

This episode is sponsored by ODP Business Solutions!

Connect with Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal
• Visit us at https://ifma.org

In this special episode of Connected FM, Kyle Eldridge sits down with Andrew Steele for a preview of his upcoming World Workplace session. They dive into the true costs of technology adoption in facility management. Andrew shares insights from his research and real-world experiences, emphasizing the importance of understanding hidden costs, organizational behavior, and the need for a cultural change in technology adoption. He outlines four categories of costs that facility managers should consider and provides actionable strategies for successful implementation.

Resources mentioned:

• Andrew Steele's UW thesis research: https://digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/items/fe627f40-e558-4484-b937-b51a824fcc25
• Andrew Steele's WWP speaker profile: https://worldworkplace.ifma.org/whats-happening/speakers/
• Andrew Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsteelefm
• WWP Session: "Beyond Hardware: True Costs of Technology Adoption in FM" - Thursday, September 18, 2025, 9:45 AM to 10:30 AM, Room 102BC

Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by ODP Business Solutions!

Connect with Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal
• Visit us at https://ifma.org

In today's episode, Becky Spohn and Cherish Johnette delve into emotional intelligence (EQ) and its significance in professional settings. Together they discuss EQ's components as defined by Daniel Goleman: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. They also address misconceptions about EQ, share personal experiences and emphasize the importance of empathy and effective communication in resolving conflicts.

Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by ODP Business Solutions!

Connect with Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal
• Visit us at https://ifma.org

In today's episode, Dean Stanberry, a past chair of IFMA's Global Board of Directors, discusses the evolution of facility management from managing physical assets to dealing with digital systems. He highlights the challenges of data quality, low technology proficiency, and data literacy within the Commercial Real Estate (CRE) sector. He advocates for Building Lifecycle Management  emphasizing its role in integrating operations from design to deconstruction. 

Resources:

Download the slides from this episode and turn on comments to see commentary from the host!

Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by ODP Business Solutions!

Connect with Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal
• Visit us at https://ifma.org