World Workplace 2026 is where the people who power the built environment come together — in Anaheim this fall for the field's most energizing event of the year.
Maria O’Callaghan-Cassidy is a nationally recognized leader in facilities management, operations, and strategic planning, with more than three decades of experience across higher education and complex commercial environments. She currently serves as Senior Associate Vice President of Facilities Development and Operations at San José State University, where she leads a workforce of more than 300 professionals responsible for the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and daily operations of the university’s 162-acre urban campus. Under her leadership, the organization is advancing a forward-looking, service-driven model that integrates operational excellence with emerging technologies, including AI, to enhance efficiency, decision-making, and customer experience.
Prior to joining San José State University, Maria served as Senior Associate Vice President of Campus Operations at the University of Richmond, where she directed a 400-person organization spanning facilities, dining, construction, and business services. During her tenure, she modernized the institution’s capital planning framework, led the development of a comprehensive campus master plan, and successfully delivered a new state-of-the-art steam plant.
Maria’s earlier career includes more than 20 years at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where she advanced to Executive Director of Design and Construction, Facilities Planning, and Operations. In this role, she oversaw a portfolio of more than 1,000 projects, developed multiple long-range space plans, and led the delivery of major global initiatives, including the Wharton Executive MBA campus in San Francisco and the Penn/Wharton Center in Beijing.
A respected voice in the profession, Maria has been an active leader within the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) since 2002, contributing at both local and national levels. She most recently served as President of the Academic Facilities Council. She is deeply committed to mentorship, leadership development, and advancing innovation and equity within the field.
Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts from Rowan University and a Master of Science from the University of Pennsylvania.
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