Andrea Deutschbein, Director FM, Emaar Facilities Management LLC

Andrea is an accomplished Soft Services FM specialist with more than 22 years of experience. However, this chemist by profession chanced upon FM when she was hired by a major company to handle their Soft FM operation at the Bahnreinigung Karlsruhe with more than 900 railway stations in Baden Wuertemberg Germany. With no FM background, Andrea said it was this very job where she found her passion. “There couldn’t be anything nicer than to be able to contribute towards the life of a building,” she said. What makes her inspiring is her motivation to keep on moving ahead and her dedication towards all the assets she has managed be it the Doha International Airport in Qatar or currently The Dubai Mall.

Proud moments

Being recognized as the Industry Personality of the Year in 2018 Middle East Cleaning, Hygiene, and Facilities Awards. “This was unexpected but a proud moment as it was recognition for all the efforts that I have put into this industry. Another proud moment will have to be the recently receiving the GBAC star accreditation for the first shopping mall in the world,” she said.

Barriers in Female Leadership

The working hours in the built environment are unfortunately not always ‘family-friendly’ and it requires a lot of flexibility & adjustment from the woman’s end if one wants to grow, notes Andrea. Having said that, Andrea adds that she has seen tremendous support being given to the women in the Middle Eastern countries, “and this has encouraged more women to enter this field and excel has good managers & leaders,” she adds.

Advice

“I can only encourage women to join this industry. If you look at yourself as a woman and not as an individual you are creating your own barriers. The FM industry is such a broad field that any interested woman can find a niche. My advice would be to believe in yourselves and break away from stereotypes and you can achieve everything you want.”