Get to know F&S: Katya Tuñón
For Katya Tuñón, the infrastructure projects her team executes are not only about rejuvenating buildings on campus for those who study and work in them every day, but ensuring they will be there for future generations, too.
At the University of Toronto, Katya Tuñón serves as project manager in Infrastructure, Planning & Implementation, overseeing essential improvement projects across campus facilities. After earning her architecture degree in Colombia and moving to Canada to work at several Canadian architectural firms, she joined U of T in 2023 and applied her design knowledge to address deferred maintenance initiatives.
Deferred maintenance refers to large-scale renewals and upgrades to building infrastructure that have been postponed due to budget or resource constraints. Tuñón’s work plays an important role in ensuring that the university’s facilities meet current building codes while preserving our historic campus and effectively serving the needs of students and faculty. “I am involved in a very wide range of projects, from roofing projects to upgrading obsolete building systems,” Tuñón says. “Our work is somewhat intentionally behind the scenes, but essential nonetheless. It protects and rejuvenates older, beautiful buildings and brings dated systems up to current levels of technology and performance.”
A typical day for Tuñón involves conducting site visits with contractors and consultants and responding to different requests from stakeholders. “On any given day, I might review progress on a project, check in with construction teams and plan logistics for the upcoming week,” she states. Deferred maintenance projects require constant attention and dexterity, with Tuñón and her team working to address both recurring problems, like leaks, and complex improvements to building infrastructure. Research and investigation are essential to the success of Tuñón’s projects, with each case requiring thoughtful consideration, consultation with specialized consultants and hiring. This hands-on approach allows her to stay informed about each project’s individual needs and adjust plans as necessary.
Communication is a key. “Managing these complex projects also means communicating and collaborating effectively with building managers, operation engineers, professors and students alike, as well as the City of Toronto and other levels of government as necessary,” Tuñón says. Internal relationships, with U of T’s finance, planning, sustainability and legal departments, must also be maintained. “Communication sets the groundwork for everything we do,” she says, explaining the importance of keeping all parties informed about project timelines and impacts. For instance, during recent improvements to a historical building, input was sought from adjacent neighbourhoods to ensure that construction operations would not disrupt nearby residents or students’ daily activities.
“We aim to minimize the impact on the well-being of students and the surrounding community,” she states. This can include communicating with students, staff and faculty, as well as nearby residents about potential disturbances and ensuring that everyone is informed about construction timelines and noise levels.
Looking ahead, Tuñón is excited about upcoming projects that promise to continue this work of preserving, enhancing and future-proofing the St. George campus. “We have renovation initiatives in progress focused on updating campus heritage buildings while ensuring that daily operations continue and public safety requirements are met,” she explains. This type of work connects past and present, preserving valuable historical elements while adapting spaces to meet current standards.
Outside of work, Tuñón enjoys playing tennis, experimenting with new recipes and spending time with her family.