Architecture may have been the starting point, but healthcare facilities management became the career that brought together design, construction, operations and leadership. Yanet Vega, the director of facilities and environmental services at El Rio Health, discusses how an unconventional career path led to healthcare facilities and the milestones that shaped her leadership style.
What led you to pursue a career in facilities management?
My background is in architecture. However, once I entered the workforce, I began to understand that an architecture degree could lead to many different opportunities.
Facilities management allowed me to combine the areas I enjoyed most, including design, construction, problem-solving, project management and working directly with people. It also gave me the opportunity to remain involved with a building throughout its full life cycle, rather than only during the design or construction phase.
Healthcare facilities management was especially meaningful to me because the work has a direct connection to the community. Facilities may not generate revenue in the traditional sense, but they support every clinical service provided.
Are there any pivotal moments or decisions that significantly impacted your career?
Early on, I questioned whether I was in the right place because my career was not following the traditional path. At the same time, I had responsibilities that shaped the decisions I made. When I graduated from the University of Arizona, my daughter was turning 7 years old, and providing stability for her was an important part of every career decision.
After researching the different career paths available to architecture graduates and accepting a position at El Rio Health, I began to see that my experiences were not taking me away from architecture. They were allowing me to use my education in a different and meaningful way.
Another pivotal moment was stepping into the director of facilities and environmental services role. It required me to move beyond managing projects and begin leading departments, developing teams, advising executive leadership and making decisions that affect the organization.
Leading the planning and activation of El Rio Health’s Stone Health Center was also a significant milestone. The project transformed a former hospital into a comprehensive health center of approximately 95,000 square feet. Seeing the facility open after years of planning reinforced that careers, like projects, are not always a direct line. Sometimes the unexpected route is the one that prepares you for the work you were meant to do.
What career accomplishments are you proudest of?
I am proud of my progression from assistant project manager to director within the same organization. Each role required me to expand my knowledge, accept greater responsibility and continue proving that I could lead increasingly complex work.
I am especially proud of helping lead the planning, design, construction and activation of the Stone Health Center. The project required significant coordination across clinical, operational and technical teams. I was able to use my architectural background to contribute directly to design and space-planning decisions while also focusing on long-term functionality and cost.
Finally, I am proud of the opportunities I have had to mentor students and emerging professionals, especially women interested in architecture, engineering, construction and facilities management. Representation matters, and I want young women to see that they can lead in industries where they may not always see people who look like them.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become a facility manager?
My first piece of advice would be to remain curious. Facilities management is a broad profession, and no one begins their career knowing every building system, regulation or operational process. Ask questions, walk the buildings, learn from technicians, and take the time to understand how different departments operate.
Also, take opportunities that stretch you. You may not feel completely prepared when a new role or project becomes available. Growth often begins when you accept the opportunity and commit to learning what is necessary to succeed.
Are you interested in sharing your career path with the readers of Facility Maintenance Decisions? Contact assistant editor Jeff Wardon, Jr., at jeff.wardon@tradepress.com
