International Women’s Day 2025: Accelerate Action

Women Driving Innovation in Facilities Management at Apleona

‘International Women’s Day’ 2025 calls for us to Accelerate Action—to take decisive and urgent steps toward gender equality. At Apleona, we embrace this challenge, recognising that real change happens when we actively break barriers and celebrate women in facilities management and leadership.

Valerie Golden, Director of Operations, highlights the impact of leadership and advocacy for women in the workplace:

"With over 20 years in the facilities management industry, I am passionate about championing women in operations. It is essential that we create a work environment where women feel empowered to take on leadership roles. Through mentorship and active support, we ensure that women in our teams have opportunities to grow, develop, and thrive in an industry that is evolving every day."

Maria Sava, Director of Human Resources, underscores the importance of workplace inclusivity and flexibility within the company:

"Creating a culture where women feel supported in their careers is key to our success. At Apleona, we actively implement policies that promote work-life balance, flexibility, and professional development. Our leadership programme has helped many of our female colleagues move into leadership positions, and I am committed to creating an environment where every woman has the opportunity to excel."

At Apleona diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords, they’re fundamental values that drive our organisation forward. We believe that a diverse workforce isn’t just good for business, it’s essential for innovation, creativity, and overall success. That’s why we’re committed to creating an environment where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive.

Particularly in the Facilities Management Industry, where it is predominantly male led, it is our responsibility to address these challenges head-on and create opportunities for women in our organisation. That means implementing policies and practices that promote gender diversity and equity, from inclusive hiring practices to flexible work arrangements that accommodate the needs of working parents. It means investing in training and development programs that help our teams build the skills and confidence they need to succeed.

For Grainne Carberry, Director of Marketing and Catering, Internationals Women’s Day is a special day as it represents both a celebration and a call to action.

“Addressing both conscious and unconscious bias is a critical component of my commitment to celebrating IWD. These biases, often ingrained in societal and organizational structures, can subtly affect how we assess talent and potential. Recognising and challenging these biases is essential in creating a fair workplace where individuals are recognised and advanced based on their merit.

I strive to lead by example, advocating for processes that promote objective and equitable evaluation of skills and performance.

Deserving a "seat at the table" based on credentials is a principle I strongly uphold. Women in our industry, like anywhere else, should be celebrated not just for their perseverance but also for their qualifications, achievements, and contributions.”

Accelerating Action for Change

We are proud to say that nearly 50% of senior leadership positions (Associate Director and above) within Apleona Ireland are now held by women, marking a significant milestone in our company’s history. By investing in mentorship, training, and leadership pathways, we are creating a workplace where women are in key decision-making roles.

Stacey Kelly, Associate Director of Facilities, reflects on her leadership journey: "Since joining Apleona in 2015 as a coordinator, I have been fortunate to grow into the role of Associate Director. My journey has been shaped by the support of incredible female mentors and an organisation that values development and inclusivity. Having strong female leaders to look up to has reinforced my commitment to mentorship and to paving the way for the next generation of women in facilities management."

We know that gender equality isn’t just about representation—it’s about empowerment, innovation, and creating opportunities.

As we celebrate ‘International Women’s Day’ 2025, we reaffirm our promise to provide women with the tools, mentorship, and leadership opportunities to thrive and lead the industry into the future.

Lets celebrate women and all their achievements this Internationals Women’s Day – 2025.