The University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies recently presented Marcia O’Connor, president of AM FM Consulting Group, with an Excellence in Teaching Award – Business and Professional Studies for the classes she leads in the Facility Management Certificate Program. O’Connor is also the chair of membership and education for IFMA’s Greater Toronto and South Central Ontario.
As a facility management leader with more than 20-plus years experience in corporate real estate, asset management, and integrated facilities management, she has a passion for mentoring young professionals and helping people, teams, and organizations see their potential.
“Receiving this award from the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies is incredibly meaningful to me, not just as a recognition of my work but as a celebration of the transformative power of education,” she says. “Teaching in facility management has given me the privilege to witness students from all walks of life grow into confident, capable leaders. Watching them embrace change, challenge assumptions, and build community reinforces my deep belief that education can be a catalyst for real, lasting impact.”
Learners say that her teaching has a profound impact on both their personal and professional growth. According to the university’s website. “while sharing her vast experience in Facilities Management, she takes a kind, caring, and humour-filled approach to teaching, and instills in learners the importance of perseverance, curiosity, and integrity.”
O’Connor highlights how facility management plays a vital role in shaping healthy, sustainable, and inclusive environments.
“This work fuels me because I know I’m helping shape the next generation of thoughtful, resilient professionals who will reimagine what’s possible,” she adds. “This award is more than a personal honour; it’s a reflection of how far the facility management profession has come and where it’s heading. It highlights the growing recognition of FM as a dynamic, essential field that contributes directly to the health, performance, and sustainability of our built environments.
“I’m proud to be part of a community of professionals and educators who are not only advancing the discipline but also raising awareness of its value, making a real impact, and demonstrating how facility management adds measurable worth to every organization and community it touches.”
As she reflects on the future of facility management, she envisions a profession on the rise—one that is finally being recognized for the value it brings far beyond day-to-day operations.
“We are more than boots on the ground; we are strategic partners who align our work with an organization’s mission, values, and long-term goals,” she says. “Among my students, there’s a growing drive not just to manage buildings but to elevate the impact of FM across entire enterprises.
“They want to lead, to innovate, and to demonstrate how their work supports performance, sustainability, and people. The FM program supports this evolution by encouraging critical thinking, real-world collaboration, and an understanding of how to contribute at the strategic level. That’s where the future lies—and it’s exciting to help shape it.”
