VEO was created so we could finally see our people. It was born as a love letter to my parents, who arrived in this country with US$500 and a suitcase, sacrificing comfort and certainty so their children could stand taller. But it was also a letter to the millions of Hispanic front-line workers, industry professionals, and business owners who have carried this industry for generations while remaining unseen. Today, 3.2 million front-line building cleaners work in the United States. Nearly 70% are Hispanic. For more than 100 years, we have been the backbone of commercial cleaning. We have built it. Sustained it. Strengthened it. And yet, too often, we have not been centered in its story. VEO—Visión, Empeño, Oportunidad—was created to change that. Reflecting the industry When I stood on stage at our inaugural event in Chicago last September, celebrating some of our industry’s greatest leaders, I felt something shift. That moment was bigger than me. Bigger than a conference. I could feel that I was simply a vessel carrying the sacrifices of immigrant parents, the dignity of front-line workers, and the ambition of entrepreneurs who built businesses from nothing. It was for every Hispanic and Latina girl who once felt embarrassed to say her mother cleaned houses. It was for every son who watched his father work endless shifts without recognition. It was for the professionals who mastered their craft but were never called innovators. For the owners who built thriving companies but were never labeled architects of industry. That stage became a mirror. And in that reflection, we did not see labor; we saw leadership. We did not see invisibility; we saw impact. We did not see limitation; we saw legacy. Shining a light on the workforce VEO exists to ensure our community is no longer overlooked in the very industry it powers. It creates intentional pathways from the front line to leadership, from entrepreneurship to scale, from experience to influence. But this is not just about recognition. It is about unification and elevation. If 70% of the workforce is Hispanic, then opportunity, education, investment, and leadership must reflect that truth structurally, not symbolically. We matter. We are worthy. We have always been worthy. After more than a century of carrying this industry, this is our moment to shine a light on those contributions and ensure the next generation inherits visibility rather than silence. The light is on. And this time, it stays on. VEO is seeking companies and individuals to serve on its committee and help guide, recognize, support, and elevate Hispanic cleaning professionals. Committee membership is open to all ISSA member companies and their staff. Visit issa.com/issa-committees/issa-veo-committe to learn more.
Facility management has long been a male-dominated industry. While that reality still exists, women are becoming an increasingly visible and influential presence in the workforce, and their impact on the future of facilities is accelerating. Why choose a career in facilities? When seeking a dream job, facility management is probably not the industry that comes to mind for most women. It is rarely highlighted in career days or spotlighted in conversations about leadership and innovation. Yet the facilities industry offers something that many industries struggle to guarantee: stability. Buildings will always need to be cleaned. Systems will always need to be installed, maintained, and repaired. Critical infrastructure must be monitored. Grounds must be maintained. Preventive maintenance must be performed. Compliance standards must be upheld. In an era of automation and artificial intelligence, technology will certainly play a key role in the industry’s evolution, but behind the technology, facility professionals will always be needed. For women seeking meaningful work with tangible impact, facility management offers more than stability. It offers leadership pathways, technical skill development, operational strategy, and the chance to directly influence how environments support the people who use them. It is an industry grounded in problem-solving and resilience. One common misconception about facility management is that it is limited to technical fieldwork. Roles in a facilities career include staff and project management, operations, strategy, vendor oversight, budgeting, training, compliance, communications, and more. This breadth is one of the industry’s greatest strengths, and one of its greatest opportunities for women. Ponder the realities of representation In a traditionally male-dominated industry, women can often feel out of place stepping into rooms. Women encounter sometimes subtle, but very real barriers to entry: Assumptions that they are in an administrative role. Questions about their technical expertise. Limited access to high-visibility opportunities. These experiences can be discouraging, but they also highlight an important truth: Performance is one of the quickest ways to change perception. Earning a seat at the table often requires visible, consistent performance; follow-through; and resilience. Women in facility management—and women in any male-dominated industry—must be willing to work hard, consistently. When they deliver projects successfully, metrics improve, operations stabilize, and their leadership becomes undeniable. From there, results will speak for themselves. Over time, the demonstrated work ethic of one woman in a facility managementcareer earns her more than respect. It expands expectations of what leadership in facilities looks like and widens the path for others to follow in her footsteps. Mentorship matters Behind many women who have built lasting careers in facility management are mentors who coached them early in their careers, exposing them to both the operational and strategic sides of the business. Mentorship in this industry is more than casual guidance; it is often the bridge between becoming capable and others seeing you as capable. When someone opens the door to field experience, includes a new leader in high-level conversations, or explains the “why” behind decisions, it accelerates growth in ways that formal training alone cannot. For women in particular, mentorship can help navigate the unspoken dynamics of a traditionally male-dominated industry. Having someone who advocates for your readiness, encourages you to take on stretch assignments, or provides honest feedback on areas for improvement can transform your career from reactive to intentional. Mentorship should not stop at delivering guidance. As more women establish themselves in facility leadership, their responsibilities expand. Becoming a mentor and investing in the women who are coming next in the industry is just as critical as having someone invest in your own development. Advocacy plays a central role in transforming the perceptions of women in facility management. Change does not happen through individual success stories alone. It happens when leaders actively recommend women for promotions, include them in strategic meetings, and create access to opportunities that build visibility. Words of advice For women exploring a career in facilities, success begins with intentional action: Clarify your direction. A career in facilities offers many pathways, including operations, training, and administrative leadership. Identifying an initial direction helps reduce overwhelm. Ask yourself what you are passionate about. Ask questions consistently. Facility management requires continuous learning. No one knows everything. Curiosity builds competence. Don’t hesitate to speak up and learn something new. Leverage and grow your existing strengths. Communication, organization, financial acumen, and leadership skills are highly transferable. Don’t underestimate the value of a full business skillset. Expect growth to require effort. Advancement requires persistence, mobility, and a willingness to take on new challenges. Work hard, lead strong, and be patient. Most importantly, avoid self-imposed limits. Facility management is a global industry. It supports nearly every other industry that exists. It offers opportunities to travel, to lead, to innovate, and to influence operations. For women looking to grow in the facilities industry, the sky is the limit. Redefine the legacy of women Facility professionals may operate behind the scenes, but their impact is visible everywhere. As more women step confidently into leadership roles, the industry becomes more resilient, more innovative, and better prepared for the challenges ahead. Don’t define the legacy of women in facilities solely by the breaking of barriers. Their true legacy lies in their work to build strong programs, develop future leaders, stabilize operations, and strengthen the workforce pipeline. Let the results of women’s contributions to facility management speak for themselves. Join ISSA’s Hygieia Network Named after the Greek goddess of cleaning and hygiene, the ISSA Hygieia Network provides education, mentoring, networking, and support programs to help women succeed in the cleaning and facility management industry. Learn more at hygieianetwork.org.
New research from the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility shows that by 2035, about six million U.S. small and medium-sized business owners will reach retirement. This figure represents over one million businesses that could be sold, totaling up to US$5 trillion in enterprise value. Yet if current trends continue, 92% of these small businesses—defined as firms with less than $5 million in enterprise value—will close rather than be sold. Most lack the scale to attract institutional buyers, but their complexity makes informal handoffs difficult. Private equity firms and strategic acquirers typically pursue higher-value deals above the $5 million threshold, which excludes most micro- and middle-market firms, McKinsey reported. With too few prepared buyers to take these businesses forward, McKinsey said closing that gap means building scalable ownership bridges, especially for communities long underrepresented among business owners. Currently, just 28% of the $5 trillion in enterprise value projected to transfer in the next decade—approximately $1.4 trillion—would go to women and Black and Latino people combined. Closing these participation gaps could potentially generate up to $3 trillion in new household wealth, making ownership transfers a significant near-term lever to address wealth disparities by geography, gender, and race. McKinsey research finds that ownership transitions during the next decade could preserve up to 12 million jobs. Preserving them depends less on investing new capital and more on modernizing how buyers, sellers, and lenders connect so small-business succession can work at scale. Of all U.S. companies, 99% are small businesses. They collectively employ over 60 million people—representing nearly half of the U.S. workforce—and account for 35% of total business revenue. Failed business transitions risk the loss of millions of jobs and the erosion of locally rooted opportunities for economic mobility.
ISSA’s INCLEAN February/March/April Digital Edition is now online and covers the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the cleaning and facility solutions industry today. With the year in full swing and worksites alive again, this first INCLEAN edition for 2026 offers a moment to reset and move forward with intent. The cleaning and hygiene sector returns straight to the front line, sustaining safety, health, and trust while workplaces find their rhythm. This issue marks its seventh Industry Leaders Forum, bringing together voices from across cleaning, hygiene, manufacturing, and services. Their perspectives align around shared challenges, new opportunities and regulatory shifts shaping daily operations. The cover story traces the rise of women into senior leadership, where practical experience informs sharper decision making. The feature, “Data Before Dollars” explores procurement shaped by insight and performance tracking as margins tighten. “The Cost Case for Going Green” examines sustainability through a commercial lens, linking environmental action with efficiency, compliance, and client confidence. Access the latest issue of INCLEAN here.
This week, ISSA, the Association for Cleaning and Facility Solutions, is celebrating the sixth annual International Cleaning Week (ICW). To date, more than 23 states and the U.S. House of Representatives have proclaimed March 23-28 Cleaning Week. This week serves as a celebration of the essential front-line cleaning workers, the value of clean, and the important role the industry plays in keeping spaces healthy and clean. Additionally, the week culminates in bringing together leaders, advocates, and stakeholders to Washington, D.C., for policy briefings, advocacy training, and direct engagement with key decision-makers in Congress and the administration. “International Cleaning Week is a powerful reflection of the global impact of the cleaning and restoration industry—and a defining moment to bring that impact to the nation’s capital,” said ISSA Executive Director Kim Althoff. “As ISSA convenes leaders, innovators, and policymakers, we are elevating the vital role our industry and members play in protecting public health, strengthening economies, and advancing safe, sustainable environments worldwide." This weeklong event celebrates the vital work of cleaning professionals, advances industry advocacy, and recognizes exemplary organizations and teams through a series of signature celebrations, including: The ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit – ISSA will gather 140-plus members and industry leaders from across the country representing the full cleaning value chain—from manufacturers and distributors to service providers. The summit provides a unique opportunity for industry professionals to engage with policymakers and advance the interests of the cleaning and facility solutions industry. Spotless Spaces Competition– The second annual Spotless Spaces Competition, sponsored by Tork, an Essity Brand, spotlights facility management teams and cleaning professionals who are create and maintain safe, healthy, clean, and accessible spaces for everyone. This year’s competition recognizes three award winners internationally. The Inaugural ICW Awards Dinner– Honoring Spotless Spaces Competition winners, outstanding industry advocates, policymakers, and up-and-coming industry leaders, this high-profile event provides unparalleled networking and recognition opportunities. For more information about International Cleaning Week and to download the partnership toolkit to promote the event, visit issa.com/icw.
The second annual ISSA VEO Conference will take place Sept. 28 to 29 in downtown Dallas. VEO—Visión. Empeño. Oportunidad.—empowers Hispanic professionals in the cleaning and facility solutions industry by supporting business success, developing talent, and cultivating the next generation of leaders. It’s a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow alongside peers shaping the future of our industry. This conference is the cornerstone of the VEO experience—building on the energy, impact, and success of 2025. It’s where community turns into momentum, where leaders rise, connections deepen, and inspiration carries forward through business advancement, workforce development, and industry representation all year long. This movement addresses a critical need within the facilities and cleaning solutions industry: 70% of the front-line cleaning workforce is Hispanic. VEO creates pathways for leadership mobility, career growth, and business empowerment. Here’s what makes the VEO Conference special: Actionable professional development led by respected industry leaders. Practical sessions you can immediately apply to your business or operations. Meaningful networking with peers, mentors, and partners from across the industry. A powerful community experience celebrating leadership, culture, and opportunity. For more information and to register for the conference, click here.