Green Minds by FCLT-E

The future of facility management won't be defined by how buildings are constructed—but by how they're operated over the decades that follow. As infrastructure becomes more intelligent and expectations continue to rise, the conversation is shifting beyond maintenance toward long-term asset performance, operational resilience, and sustainable value creation. In this episode of Green Minds...

What if one of the biggest lessons in sustainability wasn’t about technology — but about standards, leadership, and the small details we overlook every day? In this episode of Green Minds by FCLT-E, Walewein Lichtenauer sits down with Andrea Yoko, housekeeping and facility management leader, to unpack the hidden systems behind quality, operational excellence, sustainability, and people-first leade...

In a world rapidly shaped by AI, automation, and evolving customer expectations, one question remains: Can technology ever replace genuine human connection? In this episode of Green Minds by FCLT-E, host Walewein Lichtenauer sits down with Pamini Hemaprabha —International hospitality and retail leader, to explore why the future of hospitality, retail, and facility experiences will always depend on...

Sustainability is often discussed as an environmental responsibility, but the reality is far broader. From business resilience and economic growth to consumer behaviour and policy frameworks, the transition to net zero requires action across every level of society. In this episode of Green Minds, sustainability advocate and founder of Mushed Talks, Majd Fayyad, joins host Walewein Lichtenauer to e...

Facilities Management has long been framed as a cost conversation. In this episode of Green Minds, Fahad Mohamed challenges that thinking, unpacking how FM directly shapes trust, risk, asset value, and organisational resilience. From governing multi-billion-dirham assets to leading thousands of personnel across complex operations, this discussion explores why governance, data, leadership clarity,...

Technology promises a major shift in FM across the GCC, but the real story is what happens on the ground. This episode breaks down why adoption remains slow, where the gaps come from, and what clients, service providers, and tech companies must do to move forward. In this episode of Green Minds, Tarek Nizameddin, General Manager of Elegancia Group, joins host Walewein Lichtenauer to share a ground...

Technology promises a major shift in FM across the GCC, but the real story is what happens on the ground. This episode breaks down why adoption remains slow, where the gaps come from, and what clients, service providers, and tech companies must do to move forward. In this episode of Green Minds, Tarek Nizameddin, General Manager of Elegancia Group, joins host Walewein Lichtenauer to share a ground...

Highlights from this episode *  Certifications that matter: How LEED and other standards shape FM priorities and keep long-term performance on track. * Proven results: ~20% energy reduction since 2019, 418 kWp solar capacity installed, and sites exporting up to 40% power back to the grid. * Smart tech: Upgrading BMS with IoT sensors, predictive maintenance, and AI to cut costs and extend asset lif...

In this episode, Walewein Lichtenauer, founder of FCLT-E, speaks with Fadi Alshakhshir, one of the region’s leading voices in facilities management and energy strategy. He’s the author of the “AI-Driven Energy Centered Maintenance” book, and a lecturer shaping the next generation of engineers. Fadi breaks down how AI, machine learning, and IoT are changing the way buildings are managed—from routin...

In this episode of Green Minds, we sit down with Tatjana Ahmed, Director of Housekeeping at Grand Hyatt Dubai, to explore how innovation, strategy, and leadership are transforming the way hospitality works—behind the scenes. With over 700 rooms under her care, Tatjana shares how she’s helping lead the industry shift toward healthier, greener operations—without compromising quality or luxury. 🎯 Wh...

What if your building could boost your health instead of harming it? In this episode of Green Minds, Tekha Selim, Executive Vice President at Delos and Head of MENA for the International WELL Building Institute, explains the real impact of buildings on human health and what it takes to design for wellbeing from the inside out. Here’s what we cover: Why air quality kills 7 million people every year...

Robots on the concourse, AI in the control room and IoT sensors on every asset: this week Walewein sits down with Tarek Al Assil, Chief Executive of Integrated Facilities Management (IFM), to explore how one of the UAE’s largest FM engines keeps 5,500 properties running around the clock. With 1,400 staff on the payroll, Tarek is turning decades of in-house know-how into a tech-first, sustainabilit...

In this episode of the Green Minds Podcast, Walewein Lichtenauer welcomes Abdullatif Albitawi (BSc, MSc, MEI, SFIIRSM, PA-CEMP), CEO of the Emirates Green Building Council and one of Jordan’s first qualified energy engineers. With over 22 years’ leadership in pharmaceuticals, chemical manufacturing and sustainability, Abdullatif shares how an organic, stakeholder-led approach—beyond mere regulatio...

Can hospitals put patients, profits and the planet on the same prescription? Dr Talal Muhammad explains why sustainable procurement is no longer optional and why 2050 is the point of no return. OUR GUEST Dr Talal Ali Muhammad is an award-winning strategy and supply-chain executive who has transformed healthcare operations across the UAE. A visiting professor at leading universities, he researches...

In the 7th episode of Green Minds Podcast, we meet Jake Robinson, a driving force behind Task+ by ADNH Catering, which serves nearly 30% of the UAE’s hospitals. Discover how he’s revolutionizing patient care through innovation, sustainability, and a committed multicultural workforce. Key Discussion Points • Cleanliness & Patient Outcomes – How stringent hygiene protocols boost hospital ratings...

In this episode of The Green Minds Podcast, Walewein Lichtenauer sits down with Julian Khalil, Managing Director at Farnek. Discover how he’s managing massive, multi-million-dirham contracts—from Expo City to The Dubai Mall—while pushing the boundaries of sustainability in Facilities Management. Highlights: 🔹Waste Management Shockers: Surprising stats about the real cost of waste. 🔹Tech & Au...

Buildings account for nearly 28% of global CO₂ emissions—so why aren’t we seeing faster progress? In this episode of The Green Minds Podcast, Walewein Lichtenauer sits down with Mazen Nasr, Head of Sustainability at Enova by Veolia. Drawing on more than 14 years of experience in the U.S. and the Middle East, Mazen breaks down the real, data-driven strategies that can slash energy waste, cut costs,...

Facilities management is no longer just about maintaining buildings—it’s about shaping the future of how we live, work, and thrive in sustainable environments. In Episode 4 of the Green Minds Podcast, Stuart Harrison, CEO of Emrill Services, brings over 27 years of experience to unpack: The New Role of FM: Why facilities management has evolved into a proactive discipline, influencing building desi...

In this episode of the Green Minds Podcast, host Walewein Lichtenauer engages with Ali AlSuwaidi, a trailblazer in the facilities management (FM) sector and the current Vice Chairman of Global FM. Known for his influential role in transforming facility management in the Middle East, including his position as the first operations head at the iconic Burj Khalifa, AlSuwaidi shares his vision for a te...

In this episode of the Green Minds Podcast, we sit down with Mohamad Abou Laban, Managing Director of OCS, to dive into his 23 years of experience in the Facilities Management industry. Mohamad shares the story of how he transitioned from mechanical engineering to becoming a leader in FM, with insights on driving business growth, fostering innovation, and managing complex projects across the Gulf...

In this first episode of the Green Minds Podcast, host Walewein Lichtenauer talks with Ahmed Elkiki, Senior VP of Technical Services at Tetra Hospitality and Millennium Hotels MEA. With over 20 years in hospitality, Ahmed shares his journey in sustainability, tackling environmental challenges, and shifting mindsets towards personal responsibility. They discuss hotels' role in environmental im...