FM’s Future: Meet Our 2024 Scholarship Winners
Since 2021, ESFM has been proud to partner with the IFMA (International Facility Management Association) Foundation to award two Elevating Solutions in Facilities Management scholarships to promising talent in the FM industry.
This year’s winners include Adeline Leung, who is currently enrolled in Stanford University’s master’s degree program in sustainable design and construction, and Oliwia Pine, who recently graduate from Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in facilities management.
The ESFM scholarship winners receive $1,500 toward their tuition as well as admission and travel expenses to attend IFMA’s World Workplace in San Antonio, Texas, in October. ESFM subject matter experts will be participating in two panels as part of this year’s World Workplace agenda, in addition to recognizing scholarship winners on stage
These IFMA Foundation scholarships are not only an investment in the future talent of FM but also help to support a more inclusive workforce. A recent report from IFMA found that women continue to be underrepresented in facilities management – only 20% of the overall workforce and 15% at the senior level.
AN INTERVIEW WITH ADELINE LUENG
Q: What does it mean to you to have been chosen for this scholarship?
A: Receiving the ESFM Scholarship is not only an honor but also a testimony of my commitment to improving our environment and our planet, making it an even better place.
The IFMA Foundation Scholarship will be the door allowing me to dive deeper into aspects of facility management that will correlate with my inherent interest: improving the sustainability and resilience of our built environment, contributing to the wellbeing of inhabitants, and enhancing the long-term viability of a city.
As an Architecture graduate, I strongly feel the urge to shoulder that mission, tackling the problems of our century to better build everything: from resilient, sustainable housing to entire interconnected infrastructures able to withstand the increasing extremes from the climate crisis. Being awarded this scholarship will give me the endorsement to continue my pursuit along this path.
What do you enjoy most about the FM industry?
I wish to do my part to contribute to restorative impacts on building occupants’ well-being and the regenerative effects on the environment from a design and building systems perspective: such as designing buildings to manage natural air circulation and light entry for better health and interactions of the inhabitants while minimizing energy usage, building structures that withstand extreme weather events to protect the facility and inhabitants, or understanding structural capabilities and lifespans of alternative building materials as compared to conventional, environmentally detrimental materials.
In the facility management realm, I feel I will be contributing a lot in the areas of sustainability, operations and management, project management as well as in leadership and strategy. I believe architecture, engineering, construction, and facility management are all intrinsically connected. One cannot design a city’s infrastructure without correlating its potentiality from a long-term sustainability perspective. That’s why I am keen to choose a career such as facility management that will enable me to put sustainability at the forefront.
What are you excited to pursue in the future?
I want to contribute to more sustainable buildings, actively engaging in the planning of efficient energy and utility usage, exploring embodied carbon initiatives, and working on whole building life cycle analysis that will result in reduced material and construction wastes.
My ultimate career aspiration is to become an architect specializing in sustainable commercial and infrastructural designs, with a proven work portfolio contributing to a truly regenerative and resilient environment for upcoming generations.
AN INTERVIEW WITH OLIWIA PINE
What does it mean to you to have been chosen for this scholarship?
I am humbled to have been selected for this scholarship as I know how sought-after it is by young professionals internationally. I look forward to building and maintaining the connection with ESFM and exploring the opportunities that arise at the World Workplace conference.
I recognize the value of this scholarship in terms of professional development. The most beneficial component of this scholarship is the opportunity to attend the IFMA World Workplace conference to connect with the network and gain exposure through the Ignite FM challenge and other hosted events.
What do you enjoy most about the FM industry?
The ability to make an impact on occupants of a building or facility through ensuring a safe, comfortable, and productive environment for its employees/visitors/occupants.
Facilities management is the perfect combination of architecture and management, and to me it feels extremely impactful to manage the daily operations of a building. I look forward to interacting with a wide variety of employees at the facility, working “behind the scenes” and being familiar with the inner workings of a building by leading its operations.
What are you excited to pursue in the future?
In my current role, I am an engineering manager at the Marriott Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin resort in Orlando, Fla.
I thrive working in the hospitality industry, as it is especially impactful from a facility management perspective. I look forward to expanding my skillset in management while leveraging my prior experience in architectural and interior design as well as lighting design and specification along the way.
As a Gold-level Corporate Sustaining Partner of IFMA, ESFM is committed to investing in and shaping the future of facilities management, serving as an industry thought leader and an advocate for the advancement of industry professionals.
ESFM President David Hogland joined the IFMA Foundation Board of Trustees in summer 2023.
Applications for the 2025 IFMA Scholarship will open in January. Click here to learn more about the scholarship or to apply.