FACILITY PROFESSIONAL SPOTHLIGHT
Elisa Rivera
How did you get into FM/ Accidental FM?
I found my way into Facilities Management somewhat unintentionally, driven largely by my natural tendency to help people and solve problems. I started with my organization in the early 2000s in a different bureau, and through a series of fortunate opportunities, I moved into an administrative role at the Bureau of Environmental Services. At the time, the Facilities Program had essentially been supported by one person for decades. When that individual retired and a new person stepped into the role, it quickly became clear that additional support was needed. I started helping where I could, then gradually took on more responsibility over time. What began as stepping in to help eventually turned into a career path, and today I serve as the Program Manager for our Facilities Program. It wasn’t a path I originally planned, but it has been an incredibly rewarding one.
Highlight of your current operation or role as an FM
One of the most exciting aspects of my current role is the variety and scale of what we support and the customers we get to work with! I oversee the Bureau of Environmental Services Facilities Program, which includes hundreds of buildings and structures ranging from pump stations and office buildings to large wastewater treatment plants. Every day brings something different, and that’s one of the things I enjoy most about the work. There’s always a new challenge to solve or an opportunity to improve how we support our operations. I’m also fortunate to work alongside a strong and dedicated Facilities team. A big highlight for me is continuing to build and strengthen the program while helping position it for the future.
One challenging experience in my industry
One challenge I’ve experienced in this industry (particularly working in industrial and operational/maintenance environments) is navigating gender-based assumptions. There are still times when people assume I have less experience than I do, or that I’m in an administrative support role rather than a leadership position. While those moments can be frustrating, I’ve learned to see them as opportunities to challenge outdated perceptions and demonstrate what leadership in Facilities Management can look like. It’s also one of the reasons mentorship is important to me. I want to help create more space for women in this field and support those who are interested in or already building careers in Facilities Management.
