A group of smiling, diverse colleagues at a conference table, with a woman awarding a gold trophy to a man as others applaud their professional achievement


The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) announced the recipients of the 2025 Awards of Excellence at its 30th annual World Workplace Conference and Expo in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Winners were recognized in 18 award categories representing exceptional contributions to the association, outstanding examples of facility management (FM) initiative, and innovative FM projects, practices and solutions. Each nominee was scored individually across a variety of category-specific criteria by judging panels comprised of industry experts.

Awards were presented to individuals, teams, corporate partners and IFMA Networking Groups from around the world. Chair of IFMA’s Global Board of Directors Christa Dodoo, CFM, FMP, CIWFM, CMQ/OE congratulated each winner on stage. Recipients of the IFMA Foundation’s Board of Trustees Awards and the winning IgniteFM! student team were also announced.

“Recognizing the significant role that individuals have played in advancing IFMA and FM has been a part of our DNA from the beginning. From the first Class of IFMA Fellows to this year’s Certified Facility Managers® and Awards of Excellence winners, we honor those who drive progress and set new standards of excellence,” said IFMA President & CEO Michael V. Geary, CAE.

The program was hosted by comedian and host of the “No More Bad Events” podcast Scott Bloom, who showed candid man-on-the-street videos he had taped with attendees in the days leading up to the ceremony.

At the conclusion, Geary led the audience in a toast to celebrate IFMA’s 45-year anniversary. “Over the past 45 years, every step forward for FM has been taken by IFMA members. Together, we forged an industry — one with recognition, one with influence, one with purpose and possibility,” said Geary. “Here’s to those who blazed the trail and pointed the way forward. Here’s to every FM who creates better experiences for everyone who walks through their doors. And here’s to every member, partner, leader and employee, past and present, whose dedication and drive grew and sustained a community of colleagues and friends with the power to positively impact our world.”

IFMA’s 2025 Awards of Excellence Winners

Distinguished Author Award: Research Paper
Co-authors David Karpook, Planon Corp.; Efrie Escott, Schneider Electric; Eric Hall & John Galbraith, Gilbane Building Co.; Phil Wales, EBUSINESS STRATEGIES, LLC; Candace Todd, HOK, for “ESG by the Numbers: Key Findings & Resources to Help You Strengthen Your ESG Strategy”

Distinguished Author Award: Book
Co-authors Jan Gerard Hoendervanger, Theo van der Voordt, Jaap Wijnja for “Corporate Real Estate Management”

Community Award of Excellence in Programs & Professional Development
Sustainability Community of IFMA

Community Award of Excellence in Communications
Workplace Evolutionaries Community of IFMA

Chapter Award of Excellence in Professional Development
Denver Chapter of IFMA

Chapter Award of Excellence in Web Communications
Denver Chapter of IFMA

Associate Member Award
Lorie Libby of Knight Commercial

Emerging Professional Award
Juan Jose Servin Diaz de Leon, CFM, SFP, CWO, CM, PM, CP, WD, IAQ MC, EI

The Sheila Sheridan Award for Sustainable Facility Operations & Management
Kelley Whalen, EEP, SFP, ADTRAN

Facility Management Innovation Award
ESFM | Compass Group USA

George Graves Award for Facility Management Achievement
Dhananjaya Abesinghe, Lenovo Middle East, Turkey & Africa

IFMA Volunteer of the Year Award
Lisa Vanderheyden, CFM, FMP, SFP, PMP, LEED AP O+M, CFT

Distinguished Educator Award
Carolyn McGary, CFM, FMP, SFP, PBD, of Metropolitan State University of Denver

Distinguished Member Award
Edward Kacal, MBA, BSc, CFM, SFP, PMP

Student Chapter of the Year
IFMA’s Greater Phoenix Student Chapter at Arizona State University

Council or Community of the Year
Corporate Facilities Council of IFMA

Small Chapter of the Year
Trinidad and Tobago Chapter of IFMA

Large Chapter of the Year
Greater Phoenix Chapter of IFMA

IFMA Foundation Board of Trustees 2025 Awards
The following awards were presented by IFMA Foundation Chair Angela R. Johnson Culver, PE, PMP:

Global Workforce Partners of Excellence
JLL, Sodexo, ABM, ESFM

Community Involvement of Excellence
Atlanta Chapter of IFMA & Metro Power

Component of Excellence
Hong Kong Chapter of IFMA

IFMA Foundation Volunteer of the Year
Nada Aboelmagd

Workforce Initiative Partnership of Excellence
Seattle Chapter of IFMA