IFMA Announces 2025-26 Global Board of Directors

 

Dodoo elected to lead world’s largest association of FM professionals

IFMA GLOBAL HQ – (July 1, 2025) – The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) is pleased to announce the member-elected executive committee and appointees to the global board of directors for the 2025-26 fiscal year (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).

Christa Dodoo, CFM, FMP, CIWFM, CMQ-OE begins her term as board chair today. 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,” said IFMA President and CEO Michael V. Geary, CAE. “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.”

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,” said Dodoo. “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.”

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 thanks 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® 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.

“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,” said Baez, who will remain involved with the board as Immediate Past Chair. “Thank you for a wonderful year – let’s keep the momentum going!”

Learn more about IFMA’s global board of directors at ifma.org/about/leadership-staff/board-of-directors/global-board-of-directors/.

IFMA 2025 – 2026 Global Board of Directors

Chair
Christa Dodoo, CFM, FMP, CIWFM, CMQ-OE
Chief, Infrastructure and Facilities
United Nations World Food Programme
Rome, Italy

First Vice Chair
Luis R. Viña
Senior Director, Global Operations
Ciudad de México, Mexico

Second Vice Chair
Wayne Whitzell, CFM, FMP, SFP, LEED®AP, BEP, GBO, IFMA Fellow
President
DFS Green
San Francisco, California, USA

Ex-Officio
Michael V. Geary, CAE
President & CEO
IFMA
Savannah, Georgia, USA

Past Chair
Lynn Baez, FMP, SFP, IFMA Fellow
Enterprise Vice President, Facilities and Workplace
McKesson
Irving, Texas, USA

Board of Directors

Tariq Chauhan
Co-Founder and Vice Chairman
EFS Facilities Services Group
Dubai, UAE

Ted Cohen, CFM
CEO
Hillel Lodge LTC
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Nick Heibein, MCR, FMP, SFP
Executive Director, Integrated Facilities Management
JLL
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Giselle Holder, PMP, CFM, FMP, SFP
Director
Acuitas
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Bobby R. LaRon, MScM, CFM, FMP
Senior Commercial Property Manager
CBRE
Portland, Oregon, USA

Frank Ngoh, CFM, FMP, SFP, CFME Tier 1
Managing Director
EM Real Estate Pte Ltd
Singapore

Darin Rose, CFM, SFP, GGP, CRFP, IFMA Fellow
Director of Facilities & Real Estate
Credit Union of Colorado
Littleton, Colorado, USA

About IFMA

Founded in 1980, the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) is the world’s largest, most widely recognized association for facility management (FM) professionals. Supporting more than 25,000 members in over 140 countries, IFMA is a key contributor to the development of international FM standards and works with decision makers to inform FM-related policy. IFMA provides career resources and continuing education, offers three industry-respected credentials, maintains the largest repository of FM-related content on the web and hosts year-round global events. With a vision to lead the future of the built environment to make the world a better place, IFMA believes in the benefit of global diversity, inclusion and social equity, and recognizes that sustainability, resilience and responsible environmental stewardship are paramount. For more information, visit ifma.org and our LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Threads, X and Flickr pages. Follow IFMA’s Connected FM podcast and blog for expert insights on trending industry topics.