As Director of the WIRAM Canada Chapter, this facility management expert and Certified Reliability® Leader is a staunch advocate for inclusion, diversity, and creating more opportunities for women to connect, grow, and empower themselves within the industry.
By Alimey Díaz / Journalist and Technical Writer
Working with dedication in a field we’re passionate about is one of the greatest blessings a professional can have. This is the case for Margaret Trautwein, National Director of Vendor Management at JLL, who is featured in this edition of our Profiles section. From Canada, Margaret shares insights about her career, her role at JLL, her commitment to inclusion and equity, and her work with Women in Reliability and Asset Management (WIRAM), where she leads the Canada chapter.
Facility management is a vast professional field that involves maintenance strategies, safety policies and protocols, resources, and a complex culture of reliability to ensure safety and comfort in all types of buildings and structures used by people. Margaret has built a solid professional career in this field, supported by continuous training and the application of many technical and leadership skills; she also dedicates time and energy to other social causes aimed at creating equitable spaces and opportunities for everyone. We spoke with Margaret via email, and she gladly shared her valuable insights, drawn from her extensive professional experience.
Tell us a little about your current job, your main responsibilities, and (if possible) the company you currently work for.
I am currently employed by JLL in Canada, working on the Canada Post Account. JLL is a leading global commercial real estate (CRE) services and investment management firm. The Canadian division, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, operates 11 offices nationwide and employs over 3,200 professionals across the country. Throughout my tenure at JLL, I have held various positions within this account, including Regional Director, Western Canada, and, presently, National Director of Vendor Management. In my current role, I oversee crucial operational aspects of building management and maintenance, ensuring our contractors deliver services to the highest standards of excellence. Daily, I collaborate closely with engineering, operations, and procurement, to develop and implement asset management strategies that align with organizational goals. As an active member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team, I am a strong advocate for Indigenous inclusion and training initiatives.
How did you get started in the asset management industry? Tell us a little about your beginnings in the industry.
Throughout my career, I have been fascinated by the intricate workings of building equipment and systems that ensure occupant comfort. This passion drove me to obtain a trade license in refrigeration, followed by a Facilities designation from the University of Toronto, a property management license, and ultimately, the Certified Reliability Leader (CRL) certification through AMP. As a staunch advocate for women in the facility management industry, I recognize that the technical aspects of this field are fundamentally rooted in asset management. This encompasses optimizing equipment efficiency and longevity, mitigating breakdowns, identifying energy conservation opportunities, and developing strategic long-term asset investment plans.
Margaret has found in Women in Reliability and Asset Management (WIRAM) a platform to carry out activities that empower women within the industry. Under the umbrella of the Association of Asset Management Professionals, WIRAM works to highlight the role and contributions of women in asset management, the positive impact these contributions have on organizations, and to raise awareness about the importance of a more inclusive, flexible, and diverse industry—which translates into resilience, sustainability, and adaptability, characteristics that are in high demand in today’s market.
Led and founded by Maura Abad, Chief Operations Officer at the Reliability Leadership Institute® and WIRAM Global Director, this organization brings together hundreds of professional women worldwide to share information, connect with other professionals, and foster conversations about the latest business trends and issues of concern to women within the industry. As Director of the Canada Chapter, Margaret promotes education as a fundamental tool for success.
What does your work at WIRAM Canada mean to you, and what other alternatives can you think of to continue promoting women's participation in asset management?
I am honored to serve as the chair of WIRAM Canada, an organization that offers a wealth of professional development opportunities, mentorship initiatives, networking events, and industry conferences. Our educational partnerships provide valuable training and certifications. The virtual engagements, featuring cross-industry and global collaborations, present excellent opportunities for women to connect, engage, and share industry knowledge. These initiatives foster growth and empower women in our field. I personally enjoy the personal engagement with women who are in various stages of their careers, listening to their successes, challenges and sharing common solutions and ideas. There are very few organizations dedicated to promoting women in this field, I am very grateful I found WIRAM.
The gender gap within our industry and engineering in general remains quite wide. What alternatives can you think of to attract new generations of women to the asset management industry?
The asset management and engineering sectors continue to grapple with significant gender disparities, with women remaining underrepresented across all levels—from entry-level positions to leadership roles. This imbalance not only limits diversity of thought and innovation but also restricts access to a substantial talent pool. While progress is being made, the pace of change remains slow. To accelerate this transformation, we need to implement multidimensional strategies.
One key approach involves creating educational and training initiatives to raise awareness among women about career opportunities within asset and reliability management. Developing partnerships with universities, implementing outreach programs supported by scholarship opportunities, and fostering mentorship connections would be extremely beneficial in this regard. Within corporations, a workplace cultural transformation is imperative. This should encompass flexible work arrangements, improved work-life integration, mentorship and shadowing opportunities, and the establishment of employee resource groups. These measures can create a more inclusive environment that attracts and retains diverse talent, ultimately driving innovation and success in the industry.
What changes do you think are essential for women to advance professionally in asset management?
Quite a few things come to mind when discussing changes essential for women to advance professionally. Starting with organizational structure & policies that promote more transparency in the recruiting and hiring practices. Also, cultural and environmental factors training in unconscious bias at all levels of leadership development, access to representation on committees and in training programs. Having women represented at all levels while being supported by leadership will create space for them to shine.
What advice would you give to young people, both women and men, who are starting out in the industrial asset management industry?
I would advise seeking out opportunities to connect with other professionals in the industry. These connections provide excellent chances for networking, establishing mentorship relationships, and continuing your education to enhance your knowledge and skills. I would highly recommend joining WIRAM.
