As the cleaning and hygiene industry enters a period of heightened expectation, complexity and change, ISSA Oceania & Asia Pacific is proud to introduce its inaugural Emerging Leaders Class of 2025.
The 2025 ISSA Emerging Leaders represent the first cohort of a program designed to recognise and support professionals whose leadership is not only emerging but already in motion. Drawn from diverse roles, disciplines and countries across Australasia, everyone brings a grounded understanding of today’s industry realities, paired with a clear vision for progress.
“To be recognised among such a strong and diverse group of peers is no small achievement,” says Lauren Micallef, ISSA Oceania manager. “It speaks to the impact these leaders are already having on the future of our sector.”
This program plays an important role in elevating the cleaning and facilities sector as a dynamic, purpose‑driven industry offering meaningful, long‑term career opportunities. By recognising talented professionals early in their leadership journey, ISSA aims to raise the profile of the industry and inspire the next generation to see cleaning and facility solutions as a career of choice – not chance.
Selection into the Emerging Leaders Class reflects the qualities championed by ISSA Oceania & Asia Pacific, demonstrating commitment to excellence, collaboration, innovation and the advancement of our industry and broader business community.
As ISSA account manager Alicia Morgan explains, “Being named an ISSA Emerging Leader is a prestigious milestone, one that recognises impact today and potential for tomorrow. ISSA membership ensures these leaders are supported, connected and positioned to drive the industry forward.”
Looking ahead
The individuals featured in this year’s program represent a pipeline of leadership that is already active, already shaping outcomes and already influencing direction. Their impact is visible today, and their trajectory suggests far more to come.
On the following pages, meet the 2025 ISSA Emerging Leaders Class, a group defined by capability, curiosity and a readiness to lead the industry through its next phase.
ALISSA SHIDA
Regional Manager, Kikkoman Biochemifa Company
Drawing on a foundation in microbiology and forensic science, Alissa Shida has built a career that brings scientific rigour into the everyday realities of cleaning, shaping a leadership approach grounded in clarity, education and measurable impact. As regional manager at Kikkoman Biochemifa Company, she works across healthcare, food production and public environments, helping organisations redefine what ‘clean’ means in practical terms.
Her work centres on translating complex hygiene science into tools and systems that frontline teams can actually use. Through hands-on training, workshops and ongoing support, Shida equips cleaning professionals with the knowledge to move beyond visual assessment and toward validated outcomes. By introducing quantifiable hygiene monitoring methods, she enables teams to see the results of their work in real time, strengthening both accountability and confidence.
This focus on bridging science and practice has become a defining element of her leadership. Working across regions and cultures, she adapts her approach to suit local conditions while maintaining a consistent commitment to evidence-based standards. Whether supporting a hospital team, guiding food safety programs, or collaborating with distributors, her goal remains the same – to create a shared understanding of cleanliness that is both achievable and measurable.
Shida’s influence extends beyond individual sites into broader industry conversations around data, standardisation, and public health. She advocates for a future where cleaning is recognised as a critical, accountable function, supported by clear benchmarks and reliable data.
Alissa Shida represents a new generation of professionals who are reshaping how the industry defines success, ensuring that cleaning is understood, valued and measured for the essential role it plays in protecting people and environments.
AYMAN GIRGIS
NSW Cleaning Manager, City FM
Shaped by years on the frontline and strengthened through steady progression into leadership, Ayman Girgis brings a grounded and disciplined approach to managing complex cleaning operations across New South Wales. As NSW cleaning manager at City FM, he leads with a clear focus on consistency, accountability and the people who deliver services every day.
His career began in hands-on roles where he developed a deep understanding of service delivery, compliance and the pressures faced by operational teams. That early experience continues to inform his leadership style, ensuring decisions remain practical and connected to the realities of the job. As his responsibilities have grown, Girgis has maintained a strong presence across sites, building trust with teams while driving improvements in safety, performance, and efficiency.
A defining strength lies in his ability to create alignment across stakeholders. Through clear communication and collaborative planning, he brings together clients, contractors and frontline staff around shared expectations. This approach has lifted operational standards while strengthening engagement, reflected in improved outcomes and a sustained focus on safety across the workforce.
Colleagues point to his calm, consistent leadership and willingness to take ownership in challenging situations as key factors in his impact. He sets high expectations while remaining approachable, creating an environment where teams feel supported and accountable in equal measure.
With the sector moving toward more technology enabled and performance driven models, Girgis continues to build capability in data, systems and strategic planning while staying closely connected to day-to-day operations. Girgis represents a new wave of leadership that balances innovation with a strong commitment to people, helping shape a more resilient and professional cleaning industry.
JAMES FERDINANDS
National Sales Manager, Essity Australasia
Operating at the intersection of commercial strategy and industry change, James Ferdinands is helping shape the direction of professional hygiene across Australia through a leadership style defined by action, adaptability and clear intent. As national sales manager for Essity Australasia’s Tork business, he leads key accounts and national teams while navigating a market shaped by disruption, cost pressure and shifting expectations.
His rise through the organisation reflects both performance and potential, with successive promotions and inclusion in Essity’s leadership development program signalling his trajectory. In his current role, Ferdinands manages complex customer relationships while contributing to broader strategic initiatives, particularly across innovation and sustainability. His work extends beyond delivering results in market, playing a role in developing the next wave of solutions that will influence how cleaning is delivered and measured.
A consistent thread through his leadership is a commitment to leading through action. By embedding values such as honesty, reliability and accountability into daily decisions, he builds credibility with teams, customers and industry partners. This approach creates alignment and momentum, enabling strategies to move from concept to execution with clarity and purpose.
Colleagues describe a leader who brings energy, collaboration and commercial insight into every interaction, while remaining open to learning and growth. That mindset continues to drive his development as he seeks broader strategic challenges and opportunities to influence industry direction.
Ferdinands is focused on how new technologies and smarter systems can help organisations do more with the time and resources available. Ferdinands represents a forward-looking generation committed to translating innovation into practical outcomes that lift performance across the industry.
LUC TUNBRIDGE
National Cleaning Manager, ANZ – ISS Facility Services
Operating within a complex facilities management environment across Australia, Tunbridge has built a leadership approach grounded in authenticity, adaptability and a clear focus on outcomes, guiding large scale cleaning operations with consistency and intent. In his role as National Cleaning Manager ANZ and Suncorp Bank at ISS Facility Services, he manages diverse stakeholder expectations while delivering strong performance across multifaceted contracts.
His career progression reflects a willingness to step forward and take ownership, developing capability through experience and a commitment to continuous learning. Managing major contracts has strengthened his ability to navigate complexity and align competing priorities, delivering results that extend beyond cleaning into broader facilities outcomes. This holistic perspective has helped position cleaning as a valuable contributor to overall organisational performance.
Tunbridge leads from the front, fostering a culture built on integrity, accountability and respect. He invests in people through mentoring and support, creating high performing teams that are engaged and aligned. His collaborative style enables clients, suppliers and internal teams to identify opportunities that improve service delivery and generate value.
Recognised for his adaptability and solutions focused mindset, he responds quickly to evolving client needs while maintaining a clear direction. As the sector continues to shift toward a more strategic role, Tunbridge remains focused on strengthening cleaning’s position within the broader facilities landscape, representing a new generation of leadership committed to raising standards and delivering meaningful outcomes.
MICHAEL GREEN
National Sales Manager, Sabco Professional
Stepping into the ISSA Emerging Leaders Class of 2025 marks a defining point in Michael Green’s career, reflecting a progression built on consistent performance, strong relationships and a willingness to evolve alongside a rapidly changing industry. As national sales manager at Sabco Professional, he has developed a leadership style shaped by collaboration, curiosity and a steady focus on outcomes.
His career has been influenced by close work with industry peers and customers, drawing insight from a wide network of experienced professionals. That exposure has helped shape a mindset centred on continuous improvement and practical problem solving. Recognition through the Emerging Leaders program reinforces a trajectory defined by effort and engagement, while signalling a broader contribution to the industry’s future direction.
Green’s leadership is anchored in reliability and approachability, supported by a strong work ethic and a clear commitment to learning from others. He places value on building genuine relationships, fostering trust across teams, customers and internal stakeholders. This approach has strengthened collaboration and supported sustained business growth while maintaining a focus on service and quality.
Colleagues highlight his ability to combine commercial awareness with a forward thinking outlook, particularly in areas of sustainability, innovation and customer education. He plays an active role in guiding teams through change, ensuring new ideas are translated into practical outcomes that deliver value across the supply chain.
As the cleaning and facilities sector continues to shift toward more sustainable and knowledge driven models, Green remains focused on supporting that evolution through innovation, education and leadership grounded in people. Named to the ISSA Emerging Leaders program, he represents a new wave of professionals committed to strengthening both performance and purpose across the industry.
DANIEL FARHART
Head of Operations, Clean Plus
Carrying forward a family legacy while reshaping its future direction, Daniel Farhart brings intensity and a strong sense of purpose to his role as head of operations at Clean Plus, driving a period of rapid growth and renewed ambition within the Australian manufacturing landscape. His journey through the business has been deeply participatory, spanning formulation, production and commercial strategy, shaping a leadership approach grounded in execution and accountability.
Over the past year, Farhart has led a significant expansion of the company’s capabilities, tripling manufacturing capacity, strengthening infrastructure and building a larger, more specialised team. This investment reflects a clear belief in the strength of local manufacturing and a commitment to delivering high performance solutions that meet rising expectations across the industry.
At the core of his leadership is a focus on consistency, trust and value creation. Influenced by the foundations laid by his father, he emphasises the importance of reliability and strong relationships, ensuring that product performance and service delivery remain aligned. He pairs this with a focus on culture by building teams that are engaged, empowered and encouraged to contribute ideas that drive better outcomes.
Farhart also brings a broader perspective to industry development, advocating for greater recognition of Australian capability while pushing for higher standards across sustainability, compliance and innovation. Through initiatives that support young talent and community programs focused on education and reforestation, his impact extends beyond the business itself.
Named to the ISSA Emerging Leaders program, Daniel Farhart represents a new generation of operators who combine technical expertise with commercial drive, helping position the industry for long term growth and relevance.
FULORI KAWAU
Supervisor, Eagle Cleaning Services
Forged through frontline experience in some of the most demanding environments, Fulori Kawau’s empathetic resilience and unwavering commitment to her role adds to her calm strength that reflects both lived experience and deep respect for the work. Her journey in the industry has been shaped by practical roles across healthcare, commercial and community settings, building pragmatic understanding of service delivery.
A defining chapter came during the COVID-19 pandemic, where Kawau worked as part of the WASH team at Fiji’s second largest hospital, operating in high-pressure conditions that demanded precision, adaptability and courage. Supporting infection control efforts across hospital wards and isolation centres, she played a critical role in maintaining safety during a period of intense uncertainty. That experience sharpened her ability to respond under pressure while reinforcing the importance of teamwork and trust.
Her leadership is grounded in empathy and awareness, shaped by environments where communication and support were essential. She fosters a culture where team members feel heard and valued, strengthening both morale and performance. Her adaptability allows her to respond quickly to changing priorities, ensuring service standards are maintained even in complex conditions.
Colleagues recognise her as a leader who steps forward when it matters most, consistently supporting both her team and the wider community. Beyond the workplace, she contributes to grassroots initiatives that provide meals to those in need, reflecting a strong sense of responsibility and care.
Fulori Kawau represents a generation of leaders grounded in experience, driven by purpose and committed to elevating the role of cleaning in protecting people and communities.
HUGO WIFFEN
Operations Consultant, Re Vera Group
Driven by curiosity and a constant push for improvement, Hugo Wiffen has carved out a distinctive path into leadership, bringing an analytical mindset and a strong sense of ownership to his role as operations consultant at Re Vera Group. His progression reflects an instinct to identify gaps and step forward to address them, shaping both his influence within the business and his broader perspective on the industry.
Raised in an environment that valued long-term thinking and adaptability, Wiffen developed an early appreciation for structure, discipline and the role that well managed spaces play in decision making and performance. That foundation continues to inform his approach, where attention to detail and a focus on continuous refinement guide his work across operational systems and service delivery.
A defining characteristic of his leadership is an immersive style that combines deep focus with a willingness to challenge existing approaches. This drive has contributed to meaningful improvements within the business, while also prompting a conscious effort to refine how ideas are communicated and implemented. Developing greater balance between conviction and collaboration remains central to his growth as a leader.
Wiffen is particularly attuned to the role of technology in shaping the future of cleaning and facilities management. With rising labour costs and increasing regulatory demands, he sees innovation as essential to maintaining sustainable service models. At the same time, he maintains a clear focus on the human element of the industry, recognising that outcomes ultimately depend on the wellbeing and engagement of frontline teams.
Named to this year’s program, Wiffen represents a thoughtful and evolving leader, one who combines curiosity with accountability while working to balance innovation with the realities of service delivery.
MOHAMMED ZAKARIAH
Executive Director, Hygiene & Sanitization Services (Fiji) Ltd
Guided by a disciplined, values driven approach to leadership, Mohammed Zakariah has built a reputation for consistency, integrity and long term thinking, shaping both organisational performance and broader industry standards through his role as executive director at Flick Hygiene. His journey reflects a commitment to service, accountability, and the belief that sustainable success is built through people, process, and purpose.
Operating in a highly regulated and people focused environment, Zakariah has prioritised strong governance, workforce development and operational discipline. His leadership remains closely connected to frontline realities, ensuring decisions are grounded in practical experience while aligned with clear standards. This approach has strengthened performance across safety, quality and customer outcomes, supporting long term relationships built on trust and reliability.
A defining element of his impact lies in his focus on capability. By investing in structured training, clear systems and leadership development, he has built teams that deliver consistent results while maintaining high professional standards. His emphasis on ethical decision making and transparency has also shaped a culture where accountability is embedded and reputation is carefully protected.
Colleagues point to his ability to balance innovation with discipline, introducing new technologies and sustainable practices while maintaining operational consistency. His work extends beyond the organisation through community engagement, industry advocacy and initiatives that promote higher standards and awareness of hygiene and public health.
As the sector continues to evolve toward a more strategic and technology enabled model, Zakariah remains focused on strengthening professionalism and building resilience within the workforce. Named to the ISSA Emerging Leaders program, he represents a generation of leaders committed to elevating the industry through integrity, innovation, and sustained impact.
WILLIAM SPIERS
Director, Cleantech
Standing at the intersection of tradition and transformation, William Spiers brings a grounded and forward-looking perspective to the cleaning industry, combining operational understanding with a strong belief in accountability, consistency and people-first leadership. As director at Cleantech, he represents a new generation stepping into leadership while carrying forward decades of industry knowledge and experience.
Having grown up around the business, Spiers developed an early understanding of both the technical and commercial realities of the sector. His decision to qualify as an accountant added a deeper financial lens to that foundation, while hands-on involvement in manufacturing and product development sharpened his appreciation for process, detail and innovation. Regular engagement with overseas production facilities has further strengthened his understanding of how quality and efficiency are built from the ground up.
Spiers believes the industry is entering a period of major transition, where technology and automation will increasingly reshape administration and operational systems. At the same time, he maintains that leadership qualities such as empathy, honesty, courage and accountability will become even more important as organisations adapt to rapid change. For him, maintaining humanity alongside technological progress remains essential.
His work has included a strong focus on emerging cleaning technologies, particularly battery powered equipment and efficiency driven product development. Colleagues describe a leader motivated as much by helping others as commercial success, investing time into training and guidance across the industry.
Beyond business, Spiers contributed to humanitarian relief efforts in Beirut following the 2020 explosion, helping coordinate food, water, and rebuilding support for affected communities.
Named to the ISSA Emerging Leaders program, William Spiers represents a thoughtful and values driven leader focused on balancing innovation with integrity as the industry evolves.
What’s Next
The winners of the Emerging Leaders Class of 2025 will be announced in the next issue of INCLEAN.
Do you know an individual with outstanding potential, a drive for success, and a passion for the industry? Then it’s time to nominate your rising stars for the ISSA Emerging Leaders Program 2026.
Elevate their career and contribute to the industry’s growth by putting forth your brightest talents for consideration. Submit your nomination today and help shape the next generation of industry pioneers!
Submissions are due by August 2026. Submissions will be reviewed by our committee, and those selected will be notified by September 2026. The honourees will be highlighted across our media channels and recognised at ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo 2026. Learn more here: https://www.issa.com/oceania/emerging-leaders/
This article first appeared in the 2026 winter edition of INCLEAN Magazine
