Facility management is changing. And behind that change are professionals who are challenging conventional thinking, sharing new ideas and finding better ways to create workplaces and facilities that perform.

From advancing sustainability and digital transformation to strengthening operations, developing the FM workforce and using data to drive better decisions, today’s facility leaders are shaping much more than the spaces they manage. They are helping organizations become more resilient, efficient and ready for what comes next.

That’s why we are proud to recognize the 2026 Class of Top Global FM Influencers.

This year’s ten honorees represent the breadth and global impact of the FM profession. They are educators, executives, researchers, consultants and innovators whose work is helping move facility management forward in meaningful ways.

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Driving impact across the global workplace

The challenges facing facility professionals today are increasingly complex. Organizations are navigating evolving workplace expectations, sustainability goals, emerging technologies, changing workforce needs and pressure to demonstrate greater business value.

The 2026 Top Global FM Influencers are meeting those challenges with new ideas and practical approaches.

Their work spans predictive maintenance, global benchmarking, circular design, digital transformation, workplace strategy and more. Some are leading change across large portfolios and organizations, while others are advancing the profession through research, education and knowledge-sharing.

What connects them is their commitment to making a difference, both within their organizations and across the broader FM community.

Meet the 10 professionals named to the 2026 Class of Top Global FM Influencers:

  • Grant Sommerfeld | Founder and Principal, Executive FM Consulting (Canada)
  • Edward Kacal | CEO, Servus Limited (Trinidad & Tobago)
  • Mohamed Saadeh | General Manager, Darwish Interserve Facility Management (Qatar)
  • Fadi Alshakhshir | Executive Director of Facility Management, Dubai Holding Entertainment (United Arab Emirates)
  • Jose Diaz | Associate Projects Director, PWT (Mexico)
  • Yohanes Jeffry Johary | President Director, OCS (Indonesia)
  • Yvette Watson | Co-founder, PHI Factory (The Netherlands)
  • Fernanda Carvalho | Head of Workplace & Real Estate, Mercado Libre (Brazil)
  • Remigius Mmegha | Head of Assets and Property Management, ONL Estates Limited (Nigeria)
  • Jake Smithwick | Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director, University of North Carolina (United States)

Together, these leaders demonstrate the many ways FM is creating value today, from improving operational performance and protecting assets to advancing sustainability, supporting people and strengthening organizational resilience.

Their influence extends beyond their individual roles. Through their work, ideas and leadership, they are helping shape the future of the profession and inspiring others across the global FM community.

Building on the 2025 inaugural class

The 2026 class builds on the momentum of IFMA’s 2025 Inaugural Class of Top Global FM Influencers, which recognized 36 professionals making an impact across the industry.

That inaugural class helped establish a growing community of FM leaders committed to sharing knowledge, challenging the status quo and demonstrating the strategic value of facility management.

With the addition of this year’s honorees, the Top Global FM Influencers community continues to grow across regions, industries and areas of expertise. Together, the 2025 and 2026 classes reflect the global reach of FM and the diverse perspectives helping shape its future.

Explore the 2026 class

Want to learn more about the people behind this year’s recognition?

Explore the 2026 IFMA Global FM Influencers to read the honorees’ full bios and discover featured podcasts, insights and other highlights from their work.