A Profile of Laura Berrio-Sanchez

From the vibrant landscapes of Colombia to the skyscrapers of Manhattan, Laura Berrio-Sanchez, a New York-based Facilities Director, has grown and innovated in the facility management industry through hard work, persistence, and creativity.

She made her way to the Big Apple after studying International Business, determined to carve out a meaningful career.

Without a concrete plan for her future at the time, Laura remembers thinking "I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to make this work. But here we are. And that's the most important thing," she reflects. "I look at the positive in everything."

Starting as a facility coordinator, Laura quickly gained recognition for her dedication and excitement about learning from mentors at many levels.

Her career primarily revolved around financial institutions, where her ability to blend operational expertise with a focus on hospitality and employee wellness has set her apart.

"I really enjoy building operations and this whole transition into hospitality and employee wellness. It's given me opportunities to grow in leadership roles by combining both and providing better service for our clients," she said.

In her most recent role, Laura managed 11 properties and impacting over 17,000 employees—a city within a city. She has spearheaded a hospitality program for a financial institution client, hosting several events each month. From repairs and escalations to celebrations and employee well-being, Laura's focus is on creating a seamless, enriching workplace experience.

"Facilities management is no longer just about fixing things," she said. "It's about how you make employees feel. I love creating a great experience for the occupants. By building relationships and fostering a sense of community, we've reduced escalations and made employees comfortable coming to us directly. That's something I'm incredibly proud of."

Her approach is rooted in being the "eyes and ears" of the buildings she manages. Surveys, strategic conversations, and on-site presence help her identify and implement solutions that enhance the workplace. From offering services like on-site passport renewal assistance to car cleaning, Laura ensures employees don't have to disrupt their personal lives for everyday errands.

When returning to work policies and procedures are ongoing, Laura believes that from the minute employees and guests walk through the lobby to the moment they get to their desk or their conferences it's important to understand and show appreciation for how employees feel nowadays.

"We want to make sure that employees feel comfortable coming back to the office," she said.

"It has been very interesting to see the transition of just being behind a computer, looking at work orders, to actually being out and about, meeting and connecting with the occupants of these buildings," she added.

A bilingual leader, Laura's ability to connect with vendors and cleaners strengthens relationships and ensures mutual respect. Her passion for employee well-being extends to trends like AI for predictive maintenance and designing spaces with lighting that energizes and rejuvenates.

As a woman in facilities management, Laura has faced her share of challenges. Early in her career, she was told she wouldn't advance without understanding operations and engineering. She embraced the challenge and proved that leadership requires more than technical knowledge -- it's about creating value and fostering confidence.

Being in the physical work environment is important for Laura, too, from a leadership and visibility perspective – especially for women in facilities.

"Considering that it's such a male-dominated industry, you have to start thinking about how to make your presence known while you're in the office." she said.

Connecting with mentors and senior leadership has been helpful to Laura, citing one person in particular. "He has become my go-to person for everything when I need to talk about a strategic way of looking at things like career or a business plan or just any advice."

When Laura isn't making waves in facilities management, she unwinds by exploring her love for interior design, often helping friends and family transform their spaces. She balances her career with her roles as a mother and wife, finding joy in the support of her family.

Laura Berrio-Sanchez is redefining what it means to lead in facilities management. Through her commitment to hospitality, innovation, and inclusiveness, she's not just managing buildings -- she's building community.

Regarding career advice, Laura said, "Don't hesitate to take that big step. Always ask for more. We as women can accomplish so many things because we can be tough, we can be soft, and we are so smart. And sometimes, we just need to embrace it and embrace the power of confidence. The power of being confident really takes you to a different place in life in general, not just in your professional career."