The gefma women initiative, launched in February 2024, has taken a significant step towards strengthening women in Facility Management (FM) with the establishment of a Ladies Board. This new body, designed as a “Think & Do Tank”, aims to expand the existing community and provide specific impetus for female leadership in the industry. The Ladies Board will pick up on ideas and perspectives from the gefma women community and transform them into concrete formats and offerings, with a focus on future-oriented events that create direct added value for women in FM.
The members of the Ladies Board are also tasked with intensifying the exchange among committed women, promoting networking within the industry, and further strengthening the community spirit of gefma women. In line with the claim “Create visibility. Foster potential. Shape the future.”, the committee bundles the aspiration to support women in their professional and personal development and open up new career prospects for them.
Strategic Direction and Membership Structure
The establishment of this body comes at a time of significant transformations in Facility Management. Challenges such as digitalisation, the increasing importance of sustainability, the shortage of skilled labour, and new working environments require adapted competencies and leadership qualities. gefma women positions itself here to attract women to specialist and leadership roles in FM and empower them in these positions.
The Ladies Board consists of five equal women from various companies in the Facility Management and real estate sectors. This ensures a broad diversity of perspectives and expertise within the committee, which will play a decisive role in the further development of gefma women.
- —Britta Noppen, Diakonie Michaelshoven Domus
- —Angelika Dankert, Apleona
- —Gilfe Tweer, Keßler Solutions
- —Laura Beck, M&P BEGIS
- —Stefanie Nickl, MEDIAN Facility Service
Annelie Casper, Managing Director of gefma and co-founder of the gefma women initiative, highlighted that the initiative has built a strong community in recent years. With the Ladies Board, the experiences, ideas, and perspectives of the dedicated participants are to be translated even more strongly into concrete offerings to specifically promote women in FM. A sustainable industry, Casper stated, requires diverse perspectives and individuals who are willing to take on responsibility and contribute their skills.
The Ladies Board sees itself not exclusively as an advisory body, but rather as an active shaper of the initiative. Key tasks include promoting female leadership, providing mentoring programmes, increasing the visibility of female role models, and developing new networking and event formats. Through these measures, gefma women contributes to the recruitment and development of qualified specialists and managers and ensures the long-term sustainability of Facility Management.
