PEOPLE

Workplace gender equity

Louisa Kunze, Site Manager, Griffith Uni

Louisa joined ISS eight years ago as Site Supervisor of Nathan Campus, Griffith University. She now oversees both Griffith Nathan and Mt Gravatt campuses as Site Manager. She really enjoys working with such a large and diverse team of people, collaborating to deliver a great service for our customer.

Addressing gender balance onsite in facilities management

We asked Louisa about her workplace experience onsite in facilities management and the importance of gender parity in this context.

What makes you proud to be a female leader working at ISS, and specifically as a frontline Placemaker?

I’m proud to be able to utilise my position to empower others to achieve more than they thought was possible. I’ve been privileged to mentor several Placemakers who have become leaders within our team, which is very personally rewarding. I hope that I can stand as an example to others, as I continue to strive to learn and grow as a person and a leader, to make mistakes and continue to try to be better.

What do you think is today’s biggest challenge for gender equity in the workplace?

Most people have very good intentions around equity in the workplace. The biggest challenge that I see is those unconscious beliefs we all hold that influence our behaviour and decision-making. It’s very difficult to change what you don’t recognise. 

Do you have any advice for women starting out in Facility Management Services?

I believe the best advice I could offer is to show up as yourself – there’s no need to be something that you’re not. I have noticed that I bring the most value and am most impactful when I am doing the things that make me excited and that I enjoy. If there are things that you don’t know be courageous enough to be open and ask for help.

What progress on gender equality have you seen at work?

I have seen a shift in people’s attitudes around what they think women are capable of, including women themselves. I see women successfully using their unique qualities and skills to lead large teams of frontline staff. I see more women operating machinery and tackling tasks that were once completed exclusively by men. I have also witnessed gender discrimination or biased attitudes being called out and no longer deemed socially or professionally acceptable. 

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As a passionate advocate for gender equity, Louisa also loves celebrating all events on the ISS cultural calendar which has led her to double hat in the unofficial role of event coordinator. 
“Anything that recognises and celebrates each person’s individual uniqueness and value is very meaningful for me and I enjoy sharing that with our team. A shout out to all of the superstars of the Nathan Campus and Mt Gravatt Campus teams!” She says. 

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I have seen a shift in people’s attitudes around what they think women are capable of, including women themselves.

Louisa Kunze, Site Manager, Griffith University