Building Connections - September - Issue 2
SEPtember 15, 2026 - issue 2
Building Connections
Connecting people, ideas, and opportunities across our community.
Marcia O'Connor
President & Academic Director, CAFAE Founder & President, AMFM Consulting Inc. Inspirational Leader | Educator | Mentor
From Marcia's Desk
One of the things I’ve always valued about our industry is how much knowledge lives within the people doing the work. Some of the most useful lessons come from a conversation, a question someone asks, or an experience someone is willing to share.
None of us has all the answers, and we shouldn’t need to. There is a lot we can learn from each other when we create the space to do it.
I hope something in this issue sparks a conversation, offers a new perspective, or gives you something worth passing along.
Marcia
Spotlight
CAF2026 - Oct 1st
Sustainable and Healthy Buildings
Why They Matter
What does sustainability look like when it moves beyond goals and into day-to-day facility decisions? Ahmed Alyousif, Dr. Kyla Greenham and Julian Smith bring three industry perspectives on reducing emissions, improving building performance, supporting healthier spaces, and making the numbers work.
Use Promo Code: SpecialCAF2026 for $50 off!
CAF2026 - Sponsorship Spotlight
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
CWF: When High Standards Become Invisible
September 16 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET | Virtual Webinar
What happens when being dependable makes your best work disappear? Explore how women in facilities can recognize when reliability is taken for granted, name their value, and shift from essential to seen.
U of T SCS: 3302 Facilities Management
Begins Sept. 22 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. ET | Virtual Program
Ready to see the whole FM picture? Led by Marcia O'Connor, this 10-week program explores the core competencies of FM, from operations and planning to communication, risk, and the built environment.
2026 Canadian Asset & Facility Conference
Oct. 1, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Toronto Zoo | In Person
One day. A lot of conversations worth being in. Join building management professionals at the Toronto Zoo for a day of learning, connection, and practical industry discussion. Use SpecialCAF2026 Promo Code
Accessibility in the Built Environment
Oct. 8, 2026 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. EDT | Virtual Workshop
Accessible on paper doesn't always mean accessible in practice. Learn to spot the barriers that are easy to overlook and make more informed decisions about the spaces people rely on.
Looking Ahead
Financial & Budgeting Workshop
Oct. 19, 21 & 26, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. EDT | Virtual Workshop
A good budget isn't enough if you can't defend it. Build the practical skills to develop, manage, and justify operating and capital budgets, and communicate financial needs with greater confidence.
Recent Articles
Speaking with Confidence to Leadership
Having the expertise is only half the battle. Can you make it heard? Our recent panel explored how professionals can communicate their value, speak with greater confidence, and make their expertise count in conversations with leadership.
Career Page
Featured Opportunity
Manager, Maintenance Operations
York University | Toronto, ON
Looking for your next move? York University is hiring a Manager, Maintenance Operations. Explore the opportunity and see if it could be the right next step in your career.
Hiring?
Share your opportunity on CAFAE’s Career Page and connect with professionals across the facility and asset management community.
Community Events & Updates
Canada’s Economy Is Shifting. What Does It Mean for Asset Management?
AMP Canada is bringing the conversation together. Join Marcia O’Connor, Jeff Ibbitson, and Jason Smith as they lead a timely discussion on the economic trends shaping asset management and the decisions professionals are making today. Join the conversation September 23rd, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. ET.
Assessing and Developing your Leadership Style
How well do you know your own leadership style? Join NPLS October 20th for an interactive session facilitated by Marcia O’Connor, designed for professionals looking to strengthen their leadership skills in the non-profit sector. Explore how you lead, where your strengths show up, and where there may be opportunities to grow.
Cappuccino Hour has moved from AMFM Consulting Inc. to CAFAE
The same conversation-based format continues, with a few selected subject matter experts helping to lead each discussion. Now happening over the lunch hour every second Wednesday of the month, Cappuccino Hour brings our vision for interactive knowledge sharing to life: learning from expertise, experience, and each other.
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