Meet the Speakers

Mariel Acevedo

Specifications

ALR

Mariel studied Theater and Anthropology at the University of Puerto Rico, where she started her theatrical lighting design career. She worked as a tech in theater and as a grip and set builder in film. In 2006 she joined the Glenn International team as a sales rep where she got her LC and with some friends re-started the San Juan IES Section, which led to her participation in Leadership Forum and her dedication to IES for the past 13 years. After a stint with her baby in the hospital, she became very invested in Healthcare Lighting and the experience of patients and their caretakers and worked on making it one of her specialties. After re-doing the lighting in her father's office, she realized the importance of lighting for the Visually Impaired and joined the RP-28 Committee of which she was a member and contributing writer from 2013-2024.

In 2013 she moved to Portland, Oregon to work for a local rep and in 2023 joined the ALR OR team doing Specification Sales. She is currently the Chair of the IES DEIR Committee of which she was a founding member and is the Vice Chair of the IES25 Lighting Conference Committee. She is an educator and an organizer – herding cats is her specialty - and has pushed to diversify all the boards and organizations she work with from DBIA to her kids schools. Through her education work and focus on Healthcare and DEI she has worked on several Trauma Informed designs in the past year.

Carson Alsop

Manager

Lutron Electronics

Carson Alsop, WELL Faculty, is originally from rural South Texas and has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Texas A&M University – Kingsville. Starting in Lutron’s Sales Leadership Development Program in 2016, Carson worked in Lutron's South-Central sales organization before moving to New York to join the commercial A&D specification team in 2021. Today, Carson manages Lutron’s two New York City Experience Centers with a focus on business development for Lutron’s Global Experience Center Program. Throughout her tenure at Lutron, Carson has held a passion for fostering collaboration and creativity within the realm of design and technology, especially in promoting lighting's role in occupant well-being and environmental sustainability.

Additionally, Carson actively participates in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) New York chapter, where she engages with fellow industry leaders and contribute to meaningful discussions about architectural design and innovation. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys reading, hairstyling, and spending time with her dog, Doc Holliday.

Tyler Andrews

CEO

PoE Texas

Tyler is an influencer for Intelligent Buildings and Power Over Ethernet. He currently leads PoE Texas making technology accessible to facility owners with his unique mix of technical expertise, construction experience, and project management knowledge. Having been a Project Manager and VP of Construction for more than fifteen years with ExxonMobil and iFLY, Tyler speaks and trains live and on YouTube about his project management experience and the importance of Power Over Ethernet in the new Intelligent Building.

Francesca Bastianini

Founding Principal

Sighte Studio

As a co-founder and principal of the Brooklyn based architectural lighting design practice, Sighte Studio, Francesca is committed to a practice that folds education, research, and community engagement into design. Drawing on her background in theatre and psychology, Francesca’s design work is attentive to people’s interaction with space, considering both an individual’s well-being and their aesthetic experience.

Her wide-ranging practice covers projects of all scales, from boutique retail spaces to private residential estate, to large scale academic and institutional buildings. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Francesca moved to the United States to attend Smith College, where she received her BA in Theatre and Psychology, followed by a Masters in Psychology from Lesley University in Boston.

In 2010 Francesca graduated from Parsons the New School for Design with an MFA in Lighting Design. Her thesis work focused on lighting solutions for underserved populations and earned her the Richard Kelly Grant. Francesca was named one of Lighting Magazines 40 under 40 in 2016 and once again as a member of the North American class in 2018. She is the USA Ambassador for WIL.

Outside of the studio Francesca is a co-founder of Equity in Lighting, the Past-President of the Designers Lighting Forum of New York (DLFNY), was formerly a Van Alen Institute Neighborhood Design Fellow, and an active member in the New York Lighting industry. She is an adjunct faculty member teaching Lighting Design in the School of Constructed Environments at Parsons the New School for Design.

JP Bedell

Director of Business Development

SDA Lighting and Controls

JP Bedell brings eleven years of experience at SDA, supported by a rich background in both architectural and theatrical lighting. Prior to joining SDA, he designed lighting for Abercrombie & Fitch and Tirschwell Architectural Lighting. Earlier in his career he worked as a theatrical lighting designer,

Stacey Bello

Senior Associate

KGM

Renee Borg

Principal

sixteen5hundred

Renee Borg is Principal at sixteen5hundred, where she leads innovative projects in sustainable energy, microgrids, and advanced electrical systems. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, she brings expertise in integrating cutting-edge technologies with practical design solutions. Renee earned her degree from the University of Colorado Boulder and has built a reputation for guiding complex projects from concept through implementation while fostering collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

Friedrich Wilhelm Bremecker

President

DIAL

Friedrich Bremecker is an experienced engineer and sales executive with over 30 years of expertise in sales, software development and lighting technology. Since 2015, he has served as the Head of Sales and Executive Manager at DIAL GmbH, as well as President of DIAL America Inc., where he is responsible for the strategic development of sales and products. As the head of the lighting technology lab, he organized and implemented accreditation and quality management in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025.

He has delivered numerous lectures in many countries and has conducted seminars for the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) at Lightfair on multiple occasions.

Friedrich also works in numerous standardization and normative committees in various national and international organizations, including IESNA and ZVEI. He was member of the developing group of the Global Lighting Data Format (GLDF) and Member of the IES BIM committee.

He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering (Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing.) and Electrical Engineering (Dipl.-Ing.) from the University of Applied Science in Hagen. He speaks German, English and French, and has continuously developed his skills in leadership, communication, and self-management.

In his free time, he enjoys mountain biking, traveling, and scuba diving.

Beth Brenner

Communications

Signify

Beth Brenner is responsible for corporate communications in North America for Signify. She has been with the company and worked in the lighting industry since 2016.

Joe Briscoe

Technical Sales Specialist, Northeast

Leviton Manufacturing

Joe Briscoe brings a wealth of lighting control knowledge and industry experience.
Beginning his career with GE, where he had product responsibility leading up to product line management. Joe then successfully managed the commercial business for PLC Multipoint prior to joining Leviton. Joe has also been active with NEMA and IES and chaired the Energy Management Committee. Joe earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Joe and his family reside in Plantsville, Connecticut.

Xander Cadisch

Founder

Light Tribe by Phos Ltd

Xander is the founder of Light Tribe by Phos, a visionary organization that collaborates with neuroscientists, designers, and leading research outlets to redefine the role of design in human health and wellbeing. As the Sustainability Director and Chief Technical Officer at Phos Light, he drives the development of groundbreaking biophilic lighting solutions, including some of the world’s most advanced LED luminaires. These innovative products are transforming human performance, health, and wellbeing in the built environment and are integral to many of the globe’s most prestigious health, wellness, and luxury spaces.

Xander also hosts the popular podcast In Light Of It All, which explores the invisible forces that shape our wellbeing, delving into topics such as surface, color, texture, neuroaesthetics, and the neuroscience behind enriching and positive design.

A highly sought-after public speaker and panelist, Xander regularly shares his expertise at international events, speaking alongside the world’s foremost thought leaders. His ability to passionately and clearly articulate complex ideas has established him as a leading voice in the field. He educates master’s students, early-career professionals, government institutes, and the general public through his monthly column in the Journal of Biophilic Design. He aims to inspire a new generation to harness the transformative power of light and organic design.

Xander’s pioneering work has been recognized with prestigious accolades, including the King’s Award for Enterprise and the Forty Under 40 Award. His acclaimed book, The Light Within Us, delves into the neuroscience of light and biophilic design, cementing his reputation as a thought leader and innovator. He has also been featured twice in House & Garden magazine for his contributions to human-centred lighting and design.

As part of the Government and Public Affairs Committee of the Lighting Industry Association (LIA), Xander advises on legislation to ensure UK buildings meet the highest standards of health and sustainability. Through his work, he transforms indoor environments—where humans spend 90% of their time—into spaces that foster wellbeing, productivity, and enhance performance across sectors including healthcare, residential, commercial, hospitality, and office environments.

He has been a panelist at renowned events including the Surface Design Show, Design Soiree, Design Forum, and Recolight panels, and a speaker at events like Light 24 and the One Mind Symposium in Barcelona. Xander also delivers lectures at prestigious institutions including the Oslo Masters University and KLC (Brighton and Sussex).

Stephen Cannella

Managing Partner

Synapse Audio Visual Designs, LLC

Mr. Cannella started his career at the age of 15 working in the entertainment lighting business, running a company that by his 18th birthday had executed lighting designs for concert tours across the country.

With this early springboard into the entertainment market, Mr. Cannella became a full-time member of the motion picture industry, where he was employed as a chief lighting technician on commercials, TV shows and major motion pictures. Working in film gave Mr. Cannella a unique view on lighting design and documentation which is the hallmark of his design portfolio.

In 2012 Mr. Cannella partnered with longtime friend and mentor Christopher Obssuth to start Synapse Audio Visual Designs, LLC, a multidisciplinary firm specializing in technically demanding audio visual and lighting design integrations that blur the line between traditional lighting design, entertainment lighting design and multimedia integration.

During the years Mr. Cannella was involved in the entertainment industry he acquired many industry credentials and certifications. He is proud to be a former member of the industry’s leading union, the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE). Mr. Cannella continues to take part in continuing education opportunities and is proud to have obtained the NCQLP’s Lighting Certified (LC) credential as well as holding the audio visual industries' highest credential, the CTS-D. Mr. Cannella has lectured extensively including visits to Columbia University, NYU, and The Art Institute of Philadelphia, as well as an annual invite to his high school alma mater to share his unique views on technology and lighting design.

Megan Carroll

Principal

Carroll Consulting

Megan brings more than 30 years of marketing, sales, and management expertise within the lighting industry. She is the principal and owner of Carroll Consulting, following a distinguished career that includes serving as Strategic Marketing and Regional Sales Manager at LSI, as well as holding key leadership roles at Acuity Brands, Xicato, and Philips Lighting. Megan is also an accomplished speaker, having presented seminars and lectures at industry events such as LightFair, WILD, the IES Annual Conference, and Boston Lights.

She is a past president of the Illuminating Engineering Society New York City (IESNYC) and has served on numerous committees at the section and national level. Megan received the IESNYC Section Service Award in 2014, The Brilliance Award in 2024, and the Society's Distinguished Service Award in 2021.

Her leadership in the IES includes serving as IES Illumination Awards Chair, IES Annual Conference Committee Member, Marks Committee Member, and Chaired the 2018 and 2019 IES Annual Conference.

Megan is also a Founding Member of the New York Chapter of WILD (Women in Lighting Design) since it was established in the 1990’s.

Hyesoo Chun

Lighting Designer

The Lighting Practice

Hyesoo Chun joined The Lighting Practice in 2025 as a Lighting Designer I after receiving her Master of Fine Arts in Lighting Design from Parsons - The New School, where she received an Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) award for her thesis. Prior to attending Parsons, Hyesoo worked as an interior designer, where she became more aware of how light shapes the way a spaces is experienced. She became fascinated by how light renders everyday life and wanted to contribute to the moments that light makes special. As a Lighting Designer I, she coordinates with allied team members, performs documentation of design and construction administration tasks. When she’s not adding to the magic of lighting design, Hyesoo is an ambitious tea practitioner and enjoys ballet.

Migda Colón-Dieppa

Design and Compliance Manager | Planning and Capital Project Management

Columbia University Facilities and Operations

Migda Colon-Dieppa is a Design and Compliance Manager within the Planning & Capital Project Management group at Columbia University, where she supports sustainability initiatives and reviews capital projects documentation to ensure compliance with building codes, regulations, and university standards. This includes the development and continuous updating of design requirements and technical guidelines.

In past roles, she has worked as an architect and project manager, overseeing large to small scale interior designs within budget and deadlines.

Migda received her bachelor’s degree in both Fine Arts and in Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design and Bachelor in Environmental Design from the Universidad de Puerto Rico.

Xiaoxiao Cui

Lighting Designer

Bard, Rao + Athanas Consulting Engineers

Xiaoxiao Cui is a Lighting Designer at Borealis Lighting Design Studio, BR+A Consulting Engineers in New York City. Her experience centers on healthcare and education projects. She holds an MFA in Lighting Design from Parsons School of Design, where she received the IES 2024 Thesis Award for her research “Lighting Psychology in Virtual Reality: Revisiting John Flynn’s Lighting Modes Theory.” Xiaoxiao is passionate about how emerging technologies can integrate with lighting to enhance human well-being.

Julie Donovan

Associate Director

HLB

Julie's strategic design approach fuses detailed technical requirements with the artistry of design in her passion for illuminating the built environment. With a background in architecture, Julie's industry experience includes collaborating from both the architectural and engineering disciplines. Julie relishes in sharing her favorite part of the design process - the moment where the endless possibilities to transform a project through lighting are revealed. With over 30 years of lighting design experience, Julie's extensive expertise covers a wide variety of project types and scale, including aviation, healthcare, hospitality, corporate, sports and fitness, higher education and justice.

As a part of HLB's Daylighting and Sustainable Design Studio, Julie is a full committee member for the ASHRAE 90.1 energy standard for buildings as well as being LEED BD+C certified and a registered architect. She also participates in the IALD Energy & Sustainability committee and on the IES RP-29 Healthcare Lighting committee.

Jeffrey Dross

Principal

Lighting by Jeffrey

Jeffrey is an internationally known lighting expert whose in-depth knowledge and capabilities allow him to translate design concepts into functional products that optimize lighting in residential projects. He has helped the design community understand the complexity of new and emerging technologies, providing relatable, easy-to-comprehend explanations. His long career and expertise have made him a “go-to” resource for trade, design and consumer trends journalists, who rely on him for quotes, design knowledge and articles. He is also a creator of fine art and writing for personal enjoyment. Jeff was honored with the American Lighting Association’s 2015 Pillar of the Industry Award.

Paul Farris

Regional Sales Manager, Northeast

Leviton Manufacturing

Paul has been the Northeast Regional Sales Manager in Leviton Company for ten years. Paul brings thirty years of experience in various sales roles in the electrical industry. He worked at General Electric as sales manager for switchgear in the Industrial Sales and National Accounts space. From there, he became a Lighting Controls Sales Manager for a manufacturer’s representative firm in Boston before joining Leviton. Paul holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Northeastern University and an MBA from Babson College. Paul and his family reside in the Boston area.

Mariana Figueiro

Professor | Director

Light and Health Research | Light and Health Research Center at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Dr. Figueiro is among the world’s leading experts in the area of light and health, with a focus on bridging science to practical applications aimed at improving human quality of life. She has made a significant impact on this developing field and continues to actively expand her influence through translational research and teaching. She is the Director of the Light and Health Research Center and serves as Principal Investigator of various research projects at the Center. She regularly collaborates with lighting designers and manufacturers, through her work with the Center’s Light and Health Partners program. Dr. Figueiro previously served as the Director of the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Nick Gonsman

Product Manager - Entertainment Controls

ETC, Inc.

Nick Gonsman is a Product Manager for Entertainment Controls, based out of ETC’s New York City office. In his role, he guides development for the Eos Family of control systems, which are deployed on Broadway, in the West End, and in theaters, opera houses, television studios, film sets, theme parks, museums, and universities all around the world. Previous to product management, Nick spent 13 years at ETC as a control systems designer, where he facilitated lighting and data infrastructure for some of the most notable venues globally. In his free time, Nick likes to make his own wine.

Mary Beth Gotti

Technical Consultant

American Lighting Association

Mary Beth Gotti is the technical consultant for the American Lighting Association, Chair of the National Lighting Bureau, faculty member for The Lighting Agora, and Board Member for the Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education. She worked for GE Lighting for almost 40 years in a number of technical and marketing roles including 18 years as the Manager of the GE Lighting Institute in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mary Beth has never lost her passion for lighting education, and the promotion and implementation of lighting quality. In 2018, she received Edison Report’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She has BS and MS degrees in Physics and MBA from John Carroll University.

Laurie Gross

President

Gross Electric

Laurie is President of Gross Electric, a 115-year-old lighting showroom and electrical distributor with locations in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. Laurie is an American Lighting Association (ALA) Certified Lighting Designer with over 50 years experience in commercial and residential lighting design. She works with builders, designers, electrical contractors and homeowners on lighting projects. Her time on the ALA board of directors and as interim President of the Association has given her a unique perspective on the industry, including the challenges facing showrooms, manufacturers and manufacturer representatives.

Katie Hawk

Specification Sales

FSA Lighting

Katie Hawk is a specification sales rep at FSA Lighting, with a prior career in Architecture and Interior Design.

After 10+ years designing and managing projects ranging from permanent exhibits to U.S. Embassies, schools, and high-end residential projects, she transitioned into lighting.

Katie collaborates with Architects, Lighting Designers, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers to assist in lighting specifications and coordination.

With a deep-rooted background that parallels her clients', Katie often emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap between the vernacular of Architecture and Lighting.

Katie’s work has been featured in publications such as Luxe Magazine and Arch Digest, numerous travel guides, and PBS.

Scott Hay

Partner

Reveal Design Group

Scott draws upon an extensive background in lighting for dance and theatre to inform his work in architectural lighting design. His theatrical experience includes a Broadway national tour, various regional theatre productions, and a particular passion for found space theatre. In that, Scott found ways to establish the building itself as the storyteller. This ultimately inspired his move to architectural lighting, where he specializes in residential and hospitality design. Scott is passionate about the way lighting impacts lived moments and memories and how our architectural environment shapes human experiences. Scott exercises his knowledge in the business of design and his creative problem-solving skills to facilitate the successful execution of designs with a high value to the client. Scott holds an MFA in Lighting Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

Brian Healey

Senior Director, Strategic Accounts

Pearl Street Systems

Brian Healey is the Senior Director of Strategic Accounts at Pearl Street Systems, bringing 20 years of experience in the lighting and energy efficiency industry. Throughout his career, he has helped create, develop, and implement hundreds of successful lighting retrofit projects that have delivered substantial energy and operational savings for his customers.

In recent years, Brian has focused on supporting New York City clients meet stringent energy code requirements while advancing their organizational sustainability goals.

Brian has been a Lighting Certified (LC) professional for more than 10 years, emphasizing his experience within the industry.

Michael Hennes

Associate Principal

Cline Bettridge Bernstein Lighting Design

Michael Hennes, IES, LEED AP BD+C is an Associate Principal and Project Director at Cline Bettridge Bernstein (CBB), a New York City-based lighting design firm that celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2025. With over 35 years of experience in architectural lighting design, Michael brings a thoughtful, design-integrated approach to every project. He joined CBB in 1987 after graduating with high honors in Architecture from the University of Florida, and his architectural training continues to inform his work.

Michael has led lighting design and project management for more than 90 projects at CBB, including the tower exterior and lobby lighting for 7 World Trade Center and the Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park—one of the first commercial towers to achieve LEED Platinum certification. As a LEED Accredited Professional, he is committed to sustainable, energy-efficient lighting strategies and the integration of emerging technologies.

His contributions extend beyond project work. Michael served on the U.S. Department of Energy’s CALiPER guidance committee, supporting the advancement of solid-state lighting. He has lectured at LEDucation and presented for organizations including the Designers Lighting Forum of New York (DLFNY), the Illuminating Engineering Society New York City Section (IESNYC), and the Center for Architecture. His writing has appeared in LD+A Magazine, and he has led tours for Open House New York, AIA Archtober, and NYCxDesign.

Michael has also served as a juror for lighting design reviews at Parsons School of Design, NYSID, the IES Illumination Awards, and the IESNYC Lumen Awards. In 2023, he was honored with the IESNYC Brilliance Award for his outstanding service to the lighting design community.

Joe Herbst

CTO

PoE Texas

Joe has worked in several rapidly evolving markets over his career. His accomplishments include the creation of the world’s first power management laptop chipsets, design of semiconductors that were the engine in Cisco’s switches, the growth of digital video technology from CRT’s to flat screen TVs, and recently the development of a PoE lighting control platform. Joe has founded 4 startups with 3 successful exits. Joe holds 16 patents, has a BSEE from the University of Delaware, MSEE from Purdue University and an MBA from Santa Clara University.

Kate Hickcox

Energy + Environment Research Scientist

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Kate Hickcox brings over 20 years of experience in business development, research, project and team management, and design. Her work emphasizes the triple bottom line, balancing aesthetic and technical needs alongside economic, societal, and ecological considerations. At Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Kate focuses on advancing research in energy, buildings, industry, manufacturing, and communities, blending creative and practical approaches to uncover effective design solutions and strategies.

Passionate about collaboration, she aims to inspire and guide teams effectively. By aligning goals with government priorities, she fosters growth and impactful results. Her approach cultivates a culture of innovation and ethical conduct, with skills in task management, mentoring, and communication. Committed to creating a supportive, inclusive environment, she builds strong relationships with managers and stakeholders, leveraging multidisciplinary capabilities to tackle ecological and energy challenges.

Todd Judd

Renewable Energy Specialist

sixteen5hundred

Todd Judd combines hands-on expertise in construction and electrical contracting with a passion for innovation and lifelong learning. After earning his degree from UC Santa Cruz, he founded Green Lantern Electric LLC, specializing in residential and small-scale projects. During the pandemic, he pivoted to teaching pickleball before returning to the energy field. Today, as part of sixteen5hundred, Todd focuses on renewable energy and microgrid solutions, bringing together his entrepreneurial experience and technical knowledge to advance sustainable energy practices.

Doug Kafka

North American Commercial Director of Specification

Lutron

Doug Kafka has been with Lutron Electronics for 18 years and is currently the North American Commercial Director of Specification. Lutron’s direct and rep specification teams are focused on assisting the design community in implementing cutting edge lighting and shading technology as well code compliant solutions, depending on the client’s needs. Previously, Doug led Lutron’s national government sales efforts, working with government agencies to demonstrate the value of lighting controls, as well as supporting funded and financed projects at the federal and state level. Prior to that, he held positions as Territory Manager for New England and Commercial Sales Manager for the Northeast. Doug Kafka has an Electrical Engineering degree from Texas A&M University and an MBA from the University of Connecticut.

Paul Kennedy

VP of Product and Markets

U.S. Outdoor Lighting

Paul Kennedy serves as the VP of Product and Markets at U.S. Outdoor Lighting, responsible for driving US Outdoor’s growth through Market Execution, Product Innovations, and Customer Support. Paul has 20+ years’ experience in Lighting with leadership roles in Business, Operations, and Product at LED industry pioneers including Color Kinetics, Signify, and Ecosense Lighting. Paul holds an MBA from Kellogg at Northwestern University, and a bachelor’s in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.

Michael Kulkarni

Owner

Sintel Power Systems (Division of Sintel Inc.)

A Combat Veteran of the 82nd Airborne, Michael brings more than twenty years of engineering and business leadership across electronics, lighting, and controls—from Cooper Lighting to Kelvix. Today, he is the owner of a manufacturing and power electronics company dedicated to advancing next-generation GaN power solutions. With his unique understanding of both lighting and non-lighting markets, as well as close collaboration with OEM partners, he offers insight into the future of LED drivers and the evolving landscape of lighting systems.

Tal Lazar

Filmmaker and Educator

Latent Images

With over 20 years as a filmmaker and 15 years teaching at the American Film Institute, Columbia University, and the Sundance Institute, Tal Lazar has guided leaders, creators, and students alike in transforming abstract ideas into stories that resonate. As a business leader at MiLa Media and founder of the EdTech startup Quonder, he turned vision into results across industries. Today, he brings that unique blend of film, education, and business experience to help leaders and teams communicate with cinematic impact: sparking emotion, inspiring action, and building lasting connection.

Andy Letwin

Director of Lighting

EN-POWER GROUP

Andy is the Director and originator of EN-POWER GROUP’s Lighting Department, where he has overseen the completion of 150+ projects, resulting in an annual reduction of over 15 million kWh and 11,000 metric tons of CO2. Andy’s passion for quality, energy efficient lighting has pushed him to create a team that has successfully executed hundreds of lighting upgrade projects. Under his leadership, the Lighting Department has continued to expand into a variety of facilities including multifamily, commercial, hospitality, and industrial. These projects span from initial feasibility study and project design to rebate facilitation, on-site installation, and compliance with New York City’s Local Law 88 lighting upgrade and sub-metering requirements.

Previously an Energy Analyst with EN-POWER GROUP, Andy has experience performing energy audits, conducting energy analyses, and generating energy reduction plans under New York Local Laws 87 and 84. Andy also has a background in working with non-profits and government agencies, serving in the U.S. Green Building Council’s New York City office as well as for a U.S. Senator’s energy and environment team.

Jason Livingston

Principal

Studio T+L, LLC

Jason is the principal of Studio T+L, a lighting design and theatre consulting firm in Brooklyn, New York. His lighting design work ranges from hospitality to houses of worship, and from commercial offices to performing arts centers and experiential spaces. He is also the Co-Chair of the IES Color Committee and a frequent speaker on lighting design, color, and TM-30.

Jason is the author of two books on lighting design: Designing with Light: The Art, Science, and Practice of Architectural Lighting Design and Fundamentals of Energy Efficient Lighting and Controls. He also teaches lighting design at New York School of Interior Design, Fashion Institute of Technology, and New York University.

Maurice Loosschilder

Global Head of Sustainability

Signify

Maurice Loosschilder is the Global Head of Sustainability at Signify. He is responsible for the creation and execution of Signify’s ‘Brighter Lives, Better World’ sustainability program, with ambitious commitments to improve Signify’s positive impact on the environment and society.

Maurice has more than 23 years of experience in the lighting industry with Philips and now Signify. Prior to his current role, he held the positions of Head of Sustainability Strategy and Reporting and Director, Collection and Recycling. Maurice has served on the Supervisory Boards of four e-waste collection and recycling organizations across Europe. In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Maurice serves on the board of the United Nations Global Compact Network Netherlands.

Maurice graduated Cum Laude from the Technical University of Eindhoven and holds a MSc degree in Industrial Engineering and Management Science and a BSc degree in Electrical Engineering. He completed the Executive Leadership and Transformation Program at Harvard Business School Executive Education and the Board Certificate training for supervisory board members at Board Company.

Judy Luo

Research Project Manager

Aleddra LED Lighting

Dr. Li-Jyuan (Judy) Luo earned her Ph.D. in Chemical and Materials Engineering from Chang Gung University, Taiwan. With 34 publications and numerous international research awards, she is now Project Manager at Aleddra Inc., driving the development of innovative wellness lighting technologies and products. Her work bridges materials science and LED technology to create health-focused, high-performance lighting solutions for modern environments.

Matthew Maa

CEO

Aleddra LED Lighting

Dr. Matthew Maa received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at Michigan State University and has been awarded over 25 patents in general LED lighting technologies as well as in circadian lighting, germicidal lighting, and wellness lighting. He has given many technical presentations at professional conferences and has been offering frequent webinars on emergency lighting and germicidal lighting for distribution partners and the public. His recent research expands the wellness lighting boundary beyond circadian lighting and brings the benefits into everyday life.

Bart Maeyens

3D Business Leader

Signify NV

Bart Maeyens is a passionate individual with a love for people, light, and sustainability. He is driven by his ambition to learn and find balance between impact and activity.

As a leader in 3D printing for Signify, he is dedicated to creating circular lighting solutions to solve professional and consumer needs. His work with Modular L.I. as General Manager, R&D Manager, Data Manager, Export Manager, and Key Account Manager demonstrates his commitment to delivering high-quality lighting solutions that marry design, application, and technology. Bart is dedicated to ensuring that customers remain at the center of the company's focus and strategy, while also respecting the environment and all people. His work in research and development supports the creation of custom-made products to meet the esthetical wishes of architects and end customers.

Overall, Bart is a leader in the lighting industry who is committed to making the world a brighter, better place.

Brian Maite

Vice President and General Manager

ALW (Architectural Lighting Works), an LMPG Brand

Brian Maite is the Vice President and General Manager of ALW, bringing a well-rounded strategic perspective shaped by his experience as a specifier, distributor, agent, and manufacturer. Since joining ALW in 2024 as Vice President of Sales, he has drawn on a diverse leadership background, including roles as Director of Sales for Leviton Lighting Brands and Director of Pricing and Strategy at PG Enlighten. At MJ Electrical Supply, he served as Vice President, overseeing all business operations and launching both a Lighting and Gear Department and a national accounts program.

Brian began his career in lighting as an architect in the specification department at VDTA, an award-winning design firm in Chicago, where he led lighting design and project management. This deep, multi-channel expertise allows him to approach leadership with a comprehensive understanding of the market. He holds an MBA from Loyola University Chicago with concentrations in Economics, Finance, and Product Development, as well as a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Cincinnati's College of DAAP.

Amer Maleh

President

DeltaLight Group

Amer Maleh is a seasoned executive in the architectural lighting industry with more than 20 years of experience spanning design, manufacturing, sales, sourcing, supply chain, and distribution. He is currently President of Delta Light Group North America, where he leads the integration and growth of multiple high-end lighting brands. Amer began his career as a lighting designer at L’Observatoire International, collaborating on projects with world-renowned architects, before moving into sales roles at rep agencies, distributors, and manufacturers serving both commercial and national accounts. Prior to joining Delta Light in 2022, he oversaw global lighting sourcing and supply chain at WeWork. With an electrical engineering foundation and master’s degrees from Pratt Institute and Parsons School of Design, Amer also taught in Parsons’ graduate lighting program.

Michael Mehl

Director | Lighting Designer

JB&B

With over 25 years’ experience, Michael has functioned as the creative, sustainability and administrative leader of the LightBox team, collaborating on numerous private, public, interior, exterior and art projects both within the United States and abroad. His experience as a lighting designer for numerous commercial, institutional, educational and healthcare projects ranges from corporate interiors, façade illumination and trading floors to surgical suites, lab design and art projects. Michael serves on the ASHRAE 90.1 subcommittee, is a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and is an adjunct professor at New York School of Interior Design. He has been a guest speaker for the AIA, IESNA, DLFNY and USGBC

Ryan Merluza

Associate Director | Business Unit Leader / Project Director

M Moser Associates

Ryan brings a diverse and holistic perspective on the built environment. Ryan’s career path has been unorthodox, first serving in the U.S. Navy, running the mechanical systems of a nuclear-powered submarine; to design and commissioning MEP systems; to collaborating closely with design and build teams at Powered by We / WeWork; and now playing a dual role as Business Unit Leader and Project director with M Moser. He attributes his passion for beautiful design, daylight, and air quality from his days spent under the sea on a submarine. With a mechanical engineering background and a broad experience in the commercial interiors sector, Ryan brings a deep understanding of how teamwork and coordination can deliver a project that doesn’t compromise on aesthetics or performance.

Samuel Mikhail

Educator

4 Ideal Design

Over the past decade, Sam has worked with more than 50 architecture, interior and lighting design firms, as well as construction companies, to implement BIM technologies. Sam began his career as an architect, and transitioned to the BIM consulting during the early days of architecture firms converting to Revit. At that time, the industry standard was day-long training sessions that had little to do with the specific requirements of a firm. This inefficiency in a business that should be all about efficiency frustrated him. He began to envision a more nimble model of BIM consultancy and co-founded 4 Ideal Design (4iD) in 2016.

Instead of offering clients a list of services, Sam tailored each engagement to the client, developing tools to assess firms’ processes and benchmark the proficiency of employees. “Creating customized proposals is what transformed us from BIM consultants to Digital Practice Managers,” says Sam. “We don’t just create standards, do training and get out. We also mentor, evaluate, refine, and update the systems as the technology and team evolve. We help you invest in the longevity of what you have created.”

He is a passionate educator with 12 years of teaching experience. He has developed courses for undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs that revolve around software implementation for architects, interior and lighting designers. He’s a seasoned faculty member of The New York School of Interior Design and the winner of NYSID’s Distinguished Faculty Award (2024). He is the Program Director of NYSID’s Master of Professional Studies in Digital Practice Management, the first program of its kind, which prepares professionals to lead digital practice in firms. He is also a lighting designer who understands the profound value of lighting, and the challenges lighting design firms face.

Naomi Miller

PNNL Research Scientist Emerita

Naomi Miller Lighting Design

Naomi Miller, PNNL, FIES, FIALD survived a very long career, first as an architectural lighting designer in San Francisco and Upstate New York, and then as a Senior Lighting Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. She has Emerita status now, and seems to be failing retirement because she is driven to eradicate flicker and glare from LED lighting systems before her obituary is written. In 2023 she received the CIE Waldram Gold Pin for Outstanding Contributions in Applied Illuminating Engineering, and in 2024 received the IES Medal Award, their top technical award. She is both a Fellow of the Illuminating Engineering Society and the International Association of Lighting Designers.

Rebecca Mintz

Founder/Graduate Student

Peak Wavelength Strategies/George Mason University

Rebecca Mintz is a graduate student in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at George Mason University and former Associate at The Lighting Practice. She brings over 13 years of experience as a lighting designer to her research on workplace culture, organizational change, team collaboration, and employee engagement.

As founder of Peak Wavelength Strategies, Rebecca blends evidence-based approaches with design-industry expertise to improve the work experience of lighting professionals. She previously led The Lighting Practice’s Work Process Improvement task force and served as vice-chair of the IES BIM Committee.

Her passion lies in addressing workforce challenges in the AEC industry and sharing the value of lighting design with new audiences.

Paul Mitchell

Paul Mitchell is an expert in the field of outdoor lighting, particularly site lighting and roadways. Paul supports a ‘best practices’ approach to lighting design, focusing on education that includes lighting agents, specifiers, and end users. He served for 5 years on the IES Roadway Lighting Committee, and over 12 years on the Planning Group of the IES Street and Area Lighting Conference. Over the past 25+ yrs he has spoken at multiple lighting conferences, and written articles published in multiple trade journals, including LD+A. He has helped design and specify lighting standards for municipalities, utilities, DOTs, universities, theme parks, resorts, and residential developments. Paul lives just outside of San Antonio, TX.

Amy Nelson

Lighting Design Director

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Amy Nelson is the Design Manager of Lighting at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she has worked for the past 13 years. Currently, she oversees the design, installation, and maintenance of lighting across the institution. At the Met, she leads projects that balance innovation, sustainability, and conservation, most notably directing a museum-wide LED lighting upgrade, replacing legacy sources to reduce energy consumption while enhancing the visitor experience. Amy is an IES Member and Leed Green Certified. She holds a bachelors of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute and a Masters in Interior Lighting from the New York School of Interior Design.

Ezequiel Nobili

Lighting Designer / Multidisciplinary Artist

Don Lucero

Ezequiel Nobili is an Italian-Argentine lighting designer and multidisciplinary artist with a degree in Image and Sound Design from the Panamerican School of Art in Buenos Aires. He is a member of Spain’s Association of Lighting and Video Authors (AAI) and has extensive experience in the performing and audiovisual arts. His work spans lighting, video, and scenic design across Europe and Latin America. He teaches in various institutions, exploring light as a storytelling tool and examining the emotional and sensory impact of color in space, performance, and interactive environments. His artistic practice bridges technology, perception, and inclusive spatial experiences.

Gabrielle Peace

Director

Lux Botanica

With over two decades of lighting industry experience, Gabrielle Peace has built a career spanning residential, commercial, and architectural outdoor lighting across Australasia and beyond. Starting at 18, she began in high-end residential lighting in Australia before returning to New Zealand to join leading outdoor lighting manufacturer Hunza. Over the next 15+ years, she worked across all Hunza distributors before acquiring the NZ distributorship, eventually becoming CEO following Hunza’s acquisition of the business (2020–2023). Gabrielle now works with FOS Lighting, focusing on healthcare, education, and retail environments, while developing the latest venture: Lux Botanica—a luxury range of outdoor luminaires blending design, durability, and ecological sensitivity. Her career has provided deep insight into the Australian and New Zealand markets, along with hands-on experience in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the USA.

Matt Pollard

CEO

Leadsun, Inc.

Matt Pollard is a recognized leader in solar street lighting innovation and the CEO of Leadsun's Australian and USA's operations. Under his leadership, Leadsun has helped redefine public space lighting by combining solar panels, LED lights, lithium batteries, and SMART wireless controls into a seamless and professional-grade solar lighting system.

In 2021, Matt was honored with the top award for Public and Street Lighting at Lighting Council Australia’s National Awards for Excellence in Lighting, acknowledging his pioneering role in advancing sustainable lighting solutions.

Starting from humble beginnings convincing early Australian councils to embrace solar lighting for public spaces instead of traditional electric lighting, Matt’s vision and persistence have since powered the deployment of nearly 500,000 systems globally. Today, he is leading the rapid adoption of SMART solar lighting across U.S. municipalities and residential developments.

At LEDucation 2026, Matt will share how next-generation solar lighting is reshaping America’s public infrastructure-delivering smarter, greener, and more resilient communities.

John Rimbos

VP - Sales and Marketing

Myers Emergency Power Systems

John Rimbos is a seasoned lighting industry expert with over 30 years of experience spanning product development, compliance, and strategic leadership. He has held key roles at major manufacturers including GE Lighting and Cree, where he helped shape innovative lighting solutions that balance performance, design, and code compliance. John’s deep understanding of emergency lighting systems and NFPA standards makes him a trusted voice in the field. His current focus is on helping designers and engineers implement centralized inverter strategies that meet safety codes while preserving architectural integrity and reducing costs.

Shengliang “Daniel” Rong

Director of Building Science

Delos Living LLC

Shengliang Rong serves as the Director of Building Science at Delos Living LLC, a leader in global wellness and the founder of the WELL Building Standard. With over a decade of expertise in healthy building, he specializes in lighting and computational design as a WELL Accredited Professional and has consulted on numerous WELL-certified projects. He is a prolific contributor to the field, with publications in peer-reviewed journals and major trade magazines on circadian lighting design and application. Mr. Rong is also a recognized speaker at industry conferences, where he shares his knowledge and innovations in healthy building technologies.

Cana Sarnes

Counselor

The Neurodiversity Collective

Cana Sarnes is a motivated neurodivergent counselor committed to fostering inclusive, anti-oppressive environments. She is experienced in delivering personalized, evidence-based support to enhance executive functioning, academic success, and emotional well-being. Cana is passionate about empowering neurodiverse individuals by creating safe spaces where their unique strengths are recognized and nurtured. She is currently a certified school counselor and is pursuing LPC licensure to deepen therapeutic skills and continue promoting long-term, equitable outcomes for neurodiverse clients.

Amanda Schaneman

Director of Marketing

Kirlin

Amanda Schaneman is the Director of Marketing at Kirlin Lighting, where she collaborates with the sales, marketing, and engineering teams to position Kirlin as a leader in lighting, particularly in healthcare. With over 15 years of experience spanning engineering, sales, and marketing, Amanda brings a well-rounded perspective to the lighting industry.

Her recent work focuses on healthcare lighting, exploring trends, market needs, and the stringent requirements of healthcare environments. Amanda plays a key role in helping Kirlin develop innovative solutions that elevate the design of healthcare spaces, blending architectural and hospitality aesthetics into traditional sterile settings.

As an active member of the IES and WILD, Amanda is passionate about advancing the lighting industry through education and advocacy. A seasoned presenter, she leads healthcare-specific courses at Kirlin headquarters and regularly delivers virtual presentations, making complex lighting concepts accessible to diverse audiences.

In her free time, Amanda enjoys renovating her home, baking, and spending time with her dog and nieces.

Amanda’s commitment to creating functional, beautiful, and inclusive spaces drives her work, as she advocates for lighting solutions that prioritize both form and function.

David Seok

Associate, NY Studio Director

The Lighting Practice

David Seok is a Studio Leader at The Lighting Practice’s New York office, where he oversees projects ranging from corporate interiors, healthcare, hospitality, façades and more. A certified lighting designer and past president of the IALD’s NYC chapter, he co-founded the Asian Lighting Community and serves on TLP’s taskforce for culture, belonging, and inclusion.

Born and raised in NYC, David has had the privilege of growing up surrounded by a wide variety of peoples and cultures. However, as he entered the workforce, he found that AEC offices were much more homogenous. Though initially believing that he needed to fit in, he has spent the past few years recognizing the strengths in peoples’ differences and how they can improve the workplace. Committed to cultivating a healthy workplace environment, he strongly believes that in the importance for everyone to feel comfortable enough to bring their full selves to work.

C. Brooke Silber

Principal - Director of Lighting

Borealis Studio - BR+A

C. Brooke Silber is BR+A’s Lighting Studio Director housed in the New York City Office. Brooke has over 25 years of experience as an architectural and landscape lighting designer with a passion for large scale public and private projects. Her award winning portfolio features a diversity of project types including; historic preservation, corporate interiors, civic buildings, academic institutions, security command centers, transportation facilities, museums, retail, hospitality, religious, and residential.

Brooke received her Master of Science in Lighting from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lighting Research Center and her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Syracuse University in Interior Design. She is a Lighting Certified Professional and a LEED Accredited Professional. In addition to chairing the joint IES/Avixa ANSI standard committee for Lighting for Videoconferencing and Multi-media Spaces; she is a part-time faculty at Parsons The New School of Constructed Environments for their Master’s program in Lighting. Brooke is an active member of IES and is a frequent speaker at many industry events such as LEDucation and Lightfair.

Mark Simpson

Director of Lighting Design

Celano Designs

Mark Simpson, Associate, Director of Lighting Design, has been working in architectural lighting for 22 years and has led the lighting studio at Celano Design Studio for 11 years, designing lighting for over 50 restaurants, 4 food halls, 5 nightclubs, 12 hotels, the tallest residential tower on Florida’s west coast, a Times Square flagship bakery, and select residences, clubs, retail, and offices. His work can be seen in Las Vegas, Florida, Vancouver, Puerto Rico, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, Washington DC, New Jersey, New York, California, Ohio, and soon in Perth, Australia, some have won International Muse Design Award for Gold Key and Platinum Key Awards. Clients have included celebrity chefs like Buddy Valastro, Michael White, and Jeremy Ford.

Mark received a Master’s of Fine Arts from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts in 1999 and began to work on Broadway for the next 13 years. He was the associate lighting designer for 12 Broadway shows and many national tours, including The Full Monty, Les Miserable, In the Heights, The Color Purple, Memphis the Musical, and Minelli on Minelli, where Liza sat next to him to sing "The Trolley Song" during rehearsal.

Simon Slupik

CTO

Silvair, Chair of the Bluetooth Mesh Working Group / Bluetooth SIG

Simon has been with the lighting industry for 15 years. He has designed the architectures for the next generation wireless lighting control systems, known today as Bluetooth Networked Lighting Controls (Bluetooth NLC).

Simon is a strong contributor to open standards. He has been involved with Bluetooth since 2012 (chairing the Bluetooth Mesh Working Group since 2015) and with DALI Alliance since 2016 (and leading the design of the unified architecture of DALI/D4i + Bluetooth NLC). Simon's recent work includes the Bluetooth NLC HVAC Integration Profile which is in the final development stage.

Alex Souza

CEO

Celera LLC

Alex Chaves is the Founder and CEO of Celera Thermal, a global leader in thermally conductive materials serving the LED lighting, electronics, and advanced manufacturing industries. Under his leadership, Celera has expanded internationally and contributed to landmark projects such as the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas. With extensive experience in strategic planning, international business development, and innovation management, Alex has held senior leadership roles across multiple sectors and markets, and holds executive education credentials from Oxford Saïd Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management.

Brian Stacy

Director | Global and Americas Lighting Design Leader

Arup

Brian Stacy is a leading international daylighting, architectural lighting, projection and lighting controls designer. His core responsibilities include best in class design and skill development for Arup globally, as well as serving as Design and Project Director on multi-disciplinary projects bringing together international teams from across the firm. His has wide ranging and vast experience in concept design development through variable execution models for a range of exterior and interior environments in the arts, cultural, retail, hospitality, and entertainment industries.

Kirk Starks

Product Manager - Networking and Mobile Apps

ETC, Inc.

Kirk is the Networking and Mobile Apps Product Manager for ETC. He joined ETC in 2008 and beginning in March of 2009 he would spend the next 14 years in ETC’s legendary Technical Services department, originating the role of Senior Technical Support Specialist, helping to support the many products ETC has made to date. Prior to his time at ETC, Kirk worked as a freelance lighting and sound designer. He also previously served as the Vice Commissioner for Lighting Technology for USITT. In his spare time, he enjoys supporting local volleyball and roller derby teams.

Jianchuan Tan

System Engineer / Lighting Scientist

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Jianchuan Tan (JT) joined PNNL as a Systems Engineer and Lighting Scientist in 2021 and works in the Building Science Group. He is a Ph.D. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, with areas of expertise in Lighting and Architectural Science. He is a PMP, LC, WELL AP, and Microsoft Power BI data analyst. Before joining PNNL, he worked on R&D, product management, and applications engineering for LED lighting products.

His current works are mainly on lighting research, human factor studies, building energy upgrades, online tool developments, and geospatial data modeling and analytics. In 2024, he proposed a new metric for Phantom Array Effect in Temporal Light Modulation (TLM), which was published on Lighting Research and Technology. He also has solid experience in implementations of energy-efficient systems on the IoT platforms.

Sima Tawakoli

Application Engineer and Educator

sixteen5hundred

Sima Tawakoli, architect, Application Engineer, designer, and educator, and a former President of the Illuminating Engineering Society San Francisco. Her work focuses on integration of technology and aesthetics, and lighting retrofits for variety of applications. She has taught across multiple design disciplines and has chaired the jury for the SF-LUX Award since 2018. Sima holds master’s degrees in Architecture and Urbanism and in Design and Industry. A consultant on international architectural and urban projects, her research and designs have been published in IASTE 2024 and 2025, LightFair New York 2023, Lightshow 2018, and LD+A 2017.

Junrui Wang

Lighting Designer

Spark Studio Lighting Design

Junrui Wang is a lighting designer engaged in all phases of the design process, from initial client consultation to project administration. He leads the development of design concepts and aesthetic direction, translating client requirements into creative, functional lighting solutions. By collaborating closely with design teams and stakeholders, Junrui ensures that each project’s lighting design supports and elevates the client’s vision. His work reflects a balance of technical precision, aesthetic sensitivity, and user-focused outcomes, contributing to high-quality, impactful environments.

Beatrice Witzgall

Principal

In3Design (Siemens)

Beatrice is a German-trained architect and award-winning lighting designer with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of design, technology, and innovation. She brings deep expertise in how technology transforms spaces, blending architectural insight with advanced smart building solutions. Beatrice is the founder of the design consultancy In3Design and the wireless lighting startup LumiFi. She has also held senior leadership roles, including Head of Product Marketing & Strategy at Enlighted and Head of Software at Siemens Buildings US. Her work spans smart building technology, IoT, and lighting, where she continues to shape the future of intelligent environments.