Written by : Prince Botwe
When Juliana Kissiwah Somuah left Ghana for the United States, she carried with her a determination to merge engineering expertise with human-centered leadership. Today, she stands as one of the most accomplished young professionals in the field of facility and construction management, with her work resonating across academia, industry, and professional networks like IFMA.
Juliana earned her BSc. in Construction Technology and Management from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) before gaining hands-on experience with the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo). There, she supported major infrastructure projects such as the Tema Station Expansion and the Tema-Takoradi Natural Gas Interconnection, excelling in computerized maintenance management, pipeline assessments, and compliance reporting. These experiences laid the foundation for her transition into advanced studies abroad.
In 2022, Juliana began her MSc. in Construction and Facilities Management at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte), graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA. She quickly distinguished herself not just as a top student but also as a researcher contributing to the global body of knowledge in facility management. Her master’s thesis, An Assessment of Personality Profiles of Facility Managers in the United States, became a published work, underscoring her unique focus on the intersection of technical management and human traits.
Now pursuing her Ph.D. in Infrastructure and Environmental Systems at UNC Charlotte, Juliana continues to lead groundbreaking research. She has authored multiple publications with IFMA and the Simplar Foundation, including Global Trends in Facility Management and Blueprints of Behavior: How Top Facility Managers Lead, Collaborate, and Innovate. Her projects, many tied directly to IFMA’s benchmarking efforts, are shaping how facility professionals worldwide approach leadership, classification, and strategy.
Juliana’s excellence has been recognized repeatedly. She is a three-time IFMA Foundation Scholarship Awardee (2023, 2024, 2025), a winner of the Ignite FM Student Challenge (2024), and a recipient of scholarships from SOPREMA and IIBEC. Her recognition extends beyond awards: she has been featured as a Student Spotlight for IFMA Charlotte, a Ph.D. Student Engineer on UNC Charlotte’s website, and in IIBEC Magazine.
Beyond research, Juliana is a builder of communities. She has served as Treasurer and Student Outreach Chair for the IFMA Charlotte Student Chapter, President of the Ghanaian Students Association, and currently as a Graduate Life Fellow at UNC Charlotte, where she advocates for student success, leads programming, and fosters mentorship connections. Her leadership reflects her belief that technical knowledge must be paired with strong networks and inclusive engagement.
Looking ahead, Juliana is committed to bridging Ghana and the global stage. She envisions using her expertise to establish structured mentorship frameworks, improve facilities leadership, and develop sustainable infrastructure practices back home. Her journey is proof that when Ghanaian talent is given the right platforms, it not only thrives but also influences global practice.
Juliana Somuah’s story is one of resilience, excellence, and purpose. For IFMA Ghana, her achievements represent not just individual success but also a call to invest in the next generation of professionals who can lead with both technical brilliance and human understanding.