Your journey as a woman in the cleaning industry

So far, it has been a smooth journey. Before moving to the Facilities Management Soft Services sector, I worked for several years in the rooms division department in the hotel industry, where I had the opportunity to participate in the opening of a few hotels across Europe. After 10 years in the hotel industry, I was offered the position of Cleaning Department Head at one of the most prestigious residential towers in Abu Dhabi. Five years later, I moved to a new Facilities Management company to gain more experience managing different contracts, such as schools, oil & gas companies, banks, and malls. Since 2019, I have been managing the Soft Service Department at Facilities Management & Maintenance Company LLC (FMM) for our main client, Hamad International Airport (HIA). In 2022 and in March 2023, HIA once again was awarded the Cleanest Airport in the Middle East and the 3rd Cleanest Airport in the world. We are proud to have consistently ranked among the top three cleanest airports globally and best in the Middle East, and we attribute this to our team's hard work and dedication. To enhance my knowledge in cleaning, I attend regular training in Germany focusing on stone care and floor restoration.

Gender related challenges in your career
Throughout my career, I have noticed that men and women communicate in different ways. Each gender uses distinct methods to convey their feelings, ideas, and thoughts. Understanding these differences can lead to improved communication between genders in the workplace.

Advice to young women who aspire to pursue a career in the cleaning industry

To understand cleaning operations, it is essential to start from scratch. Step out of your comfort zone and realize that cleaning happens on the field, not in the office. Get in touch with stone specialists and flooring manufacturers to receive professional training on their application. Regularly spend time with the custodian team to clean washrooms and strip and seal different types of flooring, either to monitor or improve the processes. Get inspired by visiting cleaning exhibitions and keep yourself constantly updated on the latest cleaning trends.