The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has announced 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 on July 1. 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
