Manuela D'Agata joins ISSA's international team.
Her appointment reflects ISSA’s efforts to further build education and certification services such as the CIMS programme (Cleaning Industry Management Standard) across the globe. Based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, D’Agata will be responsible for establishing the CIMS programme in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania, and Asia-Pacific regions, as well as developing a group of local trainers and auditors.
Commenting on her ambitions for the new role, D’Agata stated, “I’m looking forward to enhancing and promoting professionalism, industry standards, and best practices across the industry through CIMS accreditation, training courses, and blended educational initiatives.”
She is quick to point out that her scope includes more than technical training: “We also want to provide forums offline and online for members and industry peers to come together and to learn in either formal or informal environments.”
Manuela D’Agata continues: “I’m so thrilled about the new challenge and, along the way, I see ISSA becoming the leading provider of standards and education for the cleaning industry worldwide, much like it is in North America.”
D’Agata’s approach stems from her more than 10 years of experience in developing and managing successful educational programmes, most recently for the Association for Investors in Non-Listed Real Estate Vehicles (INREV). She is an Italian native who is fluent in English and proficient in Spanish.
“Manuela is a welcome addition to the global ISSA team,” said Dianna Steinbach, ISSA Vice President of International Services. “We are excited to have her expertise in international education and certification programmes, as well as her holistic approach to engaging ISSA member companies to be a part of the process. Her passion and enthusiasm are infectious and will be a great asset as ISSA continues to change the way the world views cleaning.”
About CIMS and CIMS-Green
Building Administered by ISSA, CIMS is a standard of management excellence designed to help building service contractors and in-house service providers develop quality, customer-focused organisations. The core CIMS framework is built around five principles of effective management: Quality Systems; Service Delivery; Human Resources; Health, Safety, and Environmental Stewardship; and Management Commitment. The optional sixth dimension of the Standard, Green Buildings, sets forth the elements of a comprehensive green cleaning programme and enables cleaning organisations to help their customers achieve points with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (LEED EB: O&M) Green Building Rating System. In fact, the USGBC’s LEED EB: O&M green building rating standard includes CIMS-Green Building as a direct compliance option for its “Green Cleaning Policy” prerequisite. To satisfy the prerequisite, facilities can now either develop and implement a comprehensive green cleaning policy or simply use a CIMS- Green Building certified cleaning service provider.
