July 8, 2025 — The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) just announced the member-elected executive committee and appointees to its global board of directors for the 2025-26 fiscal year (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).
Christa Dodoo, CFM, FMP, CIWFM, CMQ-OE began her term as board chair July 1. She is joined by First Vice Chair Luis R. Viña and Second Vice Chair Wayne Whitzell, CFM, FMP, SFP, LEED AP, BEP, GBO, IFMA Fellow. Members of the executive committee serve one-year terms.
A strong and compassionate leader, Christa will ensure IFMA remains both a dependable source of information and support, and a beacon to guide and inspire facility managers as they steer their organizations toward sustainable, resilient practices. With years of experience managing multidisciplinary teams and global real estate portfolios, as well as speaking on FM and business trends around the world, she is devoted to elevating knowledge and opportunities for industry professionals.
IFMA President and CEO Michael V. Geary, CAE
Based in Rome, Italy, Dodoo is chief of infrastructure and facilities at the United Nations World Food Programme.
I am grateful to IFMA’s membership for entrusting me with the role of leading association strategies and encouraging innovation in support of FM’s essential work. World events have a direct impact on our work. It’s more important than ever that FM professionals continue to rise, adapt and thrive, creating safe, inclusive, resilient and inspiring spaces for everyone.
Christa Dodoo
Returning board members Nick Heibein, MCR, FMP, SFP (Canada), and Bobby R. LaRon, MScM, CFM, FMP (USA), are joined by newly appointed board members Darin Rose, CFM, SFP, GGP, CRFP, IFMA Fellow (USA), Tariq Chauhan (UAE), Ted Cohen, CFM (Canada), Giselle Holder, PMP, CFM, FMP, SFP (Trinidad and Tobago) and Frank Ngoh, CFM, FMP, SFP, CFME Tier 1 (Singapore). These individuals bring a broad range of subject matter expertise to the organization, including emerging technologies, real estate and accommodations, change management, tactical execution, stakeholder management and client relations.
IFMA thanked outgoing Chair Lynn Baez, FMP, SFP, IFMA Fellow for her insightful, steady leadership over the last 12 months. During Baez’s term, IFMA welcomed 10 countries to IFMA’s global map; hosted new events in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America; saw record-breaking numbers in education and credentialing, including 20,000 Facility Management Professional (FMP) credential holders worldwide; launched IFMA’s FMJ as an open-source digital magazine; published 14 research and benchmarking reports; redesigned the Connected FM Podcast web page; introduced IFMA’s Mentor Match program; and reduced event-related carbon emissions year-over-year by 10 percent.
Baez will remain involved with the board as Immediate Past Chair.
Christa is a highly accomplished, gifted and inspiring industry leader; and with Luis Viña as first vice chair, and Wayne Whitzell joining the executive committee as second vice chair, I’m certain that the next fiscal year will see even more innovation and engagement. Thank you for a wonderful year – let’s keep the momentum going!
Lynn Baez
Learn more about the IFMA Global Board of Directors here.
Learn more about Dodoo in “A Profile of Christa Dodoo: Global Facilities Leader, Visionary Connector” by Jack Rubinger in ARC Facilities’ Women in Facilities series.
