Jingle bells, silver bells, when the pipes freeze, when the heat fails, when the snow starts to fall..I simply remember my favorite things about facilities management, and then I don’t feel so bad at all!
Okay, so my version of “My Favorite things” may sound a little different than Julie Andrew’s version, but as a certified facilities manager, I realized there’s a magical joy hidden in the chaos of winter operations and year end responsibilities.
As the last quarter of the year is upon us, there’s a particular satisfaction that comes from executing the preventive maintenance schedule me and my team have built over years of refining. Our approach is not just checking boxes but anticipating what each season demands before buildings tell us that something’s wrong.
Before the winter season really hits, my team and I work through our seasonal check list with a very well-rehearsed approach. Inspections of our heating and cooling systems, plumbing and pipeline lines, as well as insulation checks. UPS battery maintenance to ensure that our backup power systems are ready for winter storms and potential outages.
My lean six sigma training has always taught me to look and eliminate waste, and seasonal preparation exercises is exactly the mindset that shines. My team and I take pride in the emergency protocols refined over the years, our vendor relationships we’ve cultivated are absolutely crucial during holiday coverage. I strongly stand by the idea that preventive maintenance schedules keep us ahead of problems and that allows our systems to work in harmony which is beautiful in its own way. And, when there is no emergency call at an ungodly hour coming my way because we did the work up front? That’s my favorite thing!
This year, as we navigate the holiday season, my team and I are especially mindful of how our physical appearance reflects our values. My team and I are allowed to decorate our offices with wreaths and seasonal touches, but we do it sustainably and thoughtfully.
The source of decorations can be reused, donated or recycled, creating spaces that honor various traditions while still staying true as best as possible to our environmental commitments. Our quiet reflection rooms accommodate different religious observances. Our common areas feature seasonal decorations that feel welcoming rather than exclusive. Including our colleagues of different faiths and traditions makes our offices and facilities feel really inclusive and that is also one of my favorite things!
Another one of my favorite, behind-the-scenes responsibilities is how my team flawlessly assists with our annual fundraising gala for global causes. Our Special Events teams can focus on the guest experience while my facilities teams ensure they have everything they need from the inventory we maintain year-round in our storage units.
We spent the year meticulously tracking and storing gala materials, equipment and decorations. When the event season finally approaches, we are ready to pull it all together efficiently. We are not just maintaining buildings but supporting the events that fund programs serving children worldwide. The connection between the work my team and I do daily aligns with the larger purpose and that never gets old.
So, when the holiday season brings inevitable challenges, weather emergencies, the competing demands on time and resources–I try to remember these favorite things. The quarterly maintenance schedule worked as planned. Sustainable decorations bring joy.
And, of course, the team members that show up when it matters most.
Facilities management during the holidays isn’t always glamorous, but it’s deeply purposeful and we always ensure that safety, security are paramount. Every degree of warmth we maintain, every inclusive space we create and every gala we support, every emergency we prevent contributes to our ability to serve.
And honestly, that’s my favorite thing of all.
Happy Holidays!
Maria Ruiz is a Facilities Operations Manager at UNICEF USA with 15+ years of cross-sector expertise. Overseeing multiple national offices, she applies Lean Six Sigma methodologies to create sustainable, efficient workspaces supporting humanitarian missions. Her writing champions women in facilities management by blending technical knowledge with practical insights that empower professionals in this traditionally male-dominated field.
