IALD ELECTION 2022 DIRECTORS AT LARGE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBER - International Association of Lighting ...

IALD ELECTION 2022
               DIRECTORS AT LARGE
     MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR
    MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBER

31 August 2021

Dear Voting Member:

On behalf of the IALD Nominations & Elections Committee, I am proud to introduce you to the
candidates for the 2022 Elections. I encourage you to review each of the candidate’s credentials and
submit your electronic ballot via the instructions below by 1 November 2021. The candidates represent our
broad cross section of members worldwide to complement existing committee and board members. The
global pandemic presented unique challenges for IALD; however, it has also presented opportunities for IALD
to explore new methods of promoting the profession and increasing its reach across the globe. In selecting
these candidates, the Nominations + Elections Committee carefully considered the challenges IALD will face, as
well as, the insight and guidance each of these candidates offer to help drive the IALD into the future.

I encourage all IALD voters to make the 2022 election cycle the highest participation turnout yet. This year you
are asked to submit your ballot for four Director At Large candidates, one Membership Committee
Chair candidate, and two Membership Committee candidates. The election site will be open to you until
11:59 P.M. (US Central Standard Time) on Monday, 1 November 2021. Please vote as soon as possible to
ensure you exercise this unique opportunity to direct the future of your association.

This brochure provides each candidate’s biographical information and personal statement of candidacy. The
names listed within the electronic ballot include those who, in the interest of continuity, are prepared to
extend their current terms of service and/or take on another leadership role. A write-in option is available
for every position on the ballot.

If you have questions about the elections process, please feel free to contact the IALD office by email at
elections@iald.org. Thank you for your participation.

Sincerely,

David Ghatan, FIALD, CLD
IALD Nominations & Elections Committee Chair

VOTING PROCEDURES
Online voting should take less than ten minutes. The online ballot can be accessed from any computer,
smartphone, tablet or device that has full browser capabilities.

You will receive an email from the eBallot service with a personal username and password that you can use
to access the voting site. This username and password are specific to you—DO NOT SHARE IT.

Complete the electronic ballot to vote for the candidates of your choice. The IALD bylaws allow for write-in
candidates. Please ensure that you vote only for the number of candidates allowed for each position.

All selections you make on your ballot are held by eBallot in a secure database; no one at IALD has access to
the choices you made. The eBallot system will give you a confirmation number at the completion of voting.
This number is proof to you that your vote has been successfully transmitted to eBallot’s secure database.

Ballots must be placed via eBallot NO LATER THAN 11:59 P.M. (US CENTRAL STANDARD TIME) ON
MONDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 2021.

Election results will be announced via email and on iald.org in December 2021.

If you have any questions about the elections process, please contact us at elections@iald.org.

2021 IALD BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Douglas Leonard, IALD
Santiago, Chile

PRESIDENT-ELECT
Monica Lobo, IALD, CLD
Alexandria, VA USA

TREASURER
Christopher Knowlton, IALD
London, UK

DIRECTORS
Susanna Antico, IALD
Milan, Italy

Anne Bureau, IALD*
Bordeaux, France

Rachel Fitzgerald, IALD, CLD*
Denver, CO USA

Mariel Fuentes, IALD*
Barcelona, Spain

Andrea Hartranft, FIALD
Charlotte, NC USA

Jered Widmer, IALD
Philadelphia, PA USA

Ana Spina, IALD*
Sydney, Australia

PRESIDENT’S SELECTED DIRECTOR
Uno Lai, IALD, CLD
Shanghai, China

2021 MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Aram Ebben, IALD, CLD*
Orlando, FL USA

COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Teal Brogden, IALD
Culver City, CA USA

Julia Hartmann, IALD, CLD*
Zurich, Switzerland

Ron Kurtz, IALD
St. Louis, MO USA

Eli Sirlin, IALD*
Buenos Aires, Argentina

*Term expires in 2021

ELECTION 2022: CANDIDATES
DIRECTOR AT LARGE
FOUR POSITIONS AVAILABLE
Anne Bureau, IALD
Rachel Fitzgerald, IALD, CLD
Mariel Fuentes, IALD
Ana Spina, IALD
Jackson Stigwood, Associate IALD
Brandon Thrasher, Associate IALD

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR
ONE POSITION AVAILABLE
Aram Ebben, IALD, CLD

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
TWO POSITIONS AVAILABLE
Qini Huang, IALD, CLD
Archit Jain, IALD
Eli Sirlin, IALD

A WRITE-IN OPTION IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL POSITIONS.

OFFICER’S DUTIES

DIRECTOR AT LARGE
A Director at Large will be elected for a two-year term (2022 + 2023) and may be either a non-voting or
voting member of the association. The Board of Directors is charged with governing the affairs of the
association and setting IALD's strategic direction. The Board makes high-level, strategic decisions that serve
the needs of the global membership of the IALD. Directors at Large must be able to collaborate with and
work effectively in a diverse group of peers. Directors are expected to participate in at least four virtual
meetings each year and attend general meetings of the membership, such as the Enlighten conferences and
IALD Region + Chapter meetings.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR
The Membership Chair leads the work of the Membership Committee. The Membership Chair must be a
Fellow or Professional member of the Association.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
The Membership Committee consists of five members: four members and the Membership Chair. The
Membership Committee recommends acceptance or rejection of any applicant to voting and non-voting
grades of membership. The Membership Committee can also make recommendations to the Board of
Directors to assess or revise the membership requirements for voting and non-voting membership. The
Membership Committee meets virtually monthly. A member of the Membership Committee must be a
Fellow or Professional member of the association.

IALD DIRECTOR AT LARGE CANDIDATE

ANNE BUREAU, IALD
Wonderfulight
Bordeaux, France

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Anne Bureau opened her lighting design studio in 1995. In 2011, she founded the lighting design office
WONDERFULIGHT in Bordeaux (France). Anne has worked on numerous projects such as: Hotel Cheval Blanc
in Paris / Chapelle Corneille in Rouen (concert hall for Normandy Region) / Cathar castles of Puilaurens and
Quéribus / Foundation Vincent Van Gogh in Arles / Orangerie’s museum in Paris.

Since the beginning of her career, Anne has been involved in the lighting design community. Since 1996,
she has been a member and past president of ACE (French lighting designer’s association). Anne has been a
professional member of IALD since 2014 and a member of its Board of Directors since 2020. Anne is also a
member of the organization board of EILD (Encuentro Ibero-américano de Lighting design). Anne lectures at
the international level (Enlighten, PLDC, EILD…) and has led numerous workshops all around the world.

Anne’s passion about light as always be much wider that her interest in lighting: as an example, she
graduated in industrial design in 1993 from ENSCI (Paris) with a final thesis about the Night, including a
chapter about circadian rhythms. Anne is interested in artistical, cultural, medical, scientific, and sociological
aspects of light with a never-ending curiosity.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT
I’m very honored to be on this year’s ballot for the Board of Directors. I believe in IALD and if elected, I will
do my best to help the association, using my specific skills.

I started my position as member of the Board of Directors (BOD) of IALD in January 2020. A few weeks later,
the world entered a historical sanatory crisis, with severe consequences on the life of our association. Since
this time, the staff of the association and the Board I am proud to be part of, have faced the situation and
have tried to find the best solutions to keep IALD as strong and relevant as possible in the adversity of the
Covid 19 crisis. We are still in the middle of the bridge, and I would like to continue to be part of the BOD
during this challenging time to contribute to the evolution of IALD.

I started my freelance Lighting Designer activity in 1995 and at the same time my volunteer work in a
professional lighting association. I have been a member of ACE (Association des Concepteurs Lumières et
Eclairagistes) since 1996 and its president in 2005-2006 (first woman at this position). I followed and
participated in ELDA / PLDA activities from its beginnings to its end in 2014. Since 2014, I have been a
professional member of IALD. I know the lighting design community well in France and Europe, as well as in
Latin America (member of EILD committee). I have the capacity to bring strong networking experience and a
multinational vision to the BOD and to provide insight from other associations’ strategies and operations.

Thank you for considering my candidature. Every day, I value the privilege to live my passion and it is always
a pleasure to meet and work with other “Light lovers”.

IALD DIRECTOR AT LARGE CANDIDATE

RACHEL FITZGERALD, IALD, CLD
Stantec
Denver, CO USA

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Rachel Fitzgerald, IALD, CLD, IES, LC, LEED AP BD+C is the discipline lead for lighting design and a Senior
Associate with global design firm Stantec. A graduate of the University of Colorado’s lighting program, she
has more than 19 years of experience in lighting design. Rachel provides significant expertise to Stantec’s
buildings and master plans globally. Her talent and commitment to the design of highly-sustainable and
human-centric spaces has been recognized with more than three dozen design awards.

Rachel’s drive to create a world where lighting plays a more impactful role manifests itself through her
industry involvement. She’s passionate about mentoring junior staff to further best practices and is an in-
demand speaker who shares knowledge and passion about lighting. She teaches a senior design class at the
University of Colorado and is excited about fostering the next generation of lighting designers. She’s
involved with technical committees with the IES and serves on the WELL light concept advisory. Rachel
became an Associate Member of the IALD in 2006 and a Professional Member in 2012. She has served the
IALD as co-coordinator for the Rocky Mountain chapter since 2014 and is currently serving a term on the
IALD Board of Directors.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT
As the world (hopefully) begins to emerge from a global pandemic, we are at a critical juncture within our
industry and the IALD plays a critical part in our path forward as lighting designers. In serving my current
term on the Board of Directors, I’ve come to learn a great deal about the depth, complexities, and impact
that the IALD has. I would like to take all that I’ve learned over the past two-years and continue contributing
to the Board and serving the IALD to help us all emerge stronger following this pandemic.

When I think about why I’m a lighting designer and why I’m so passionate about my job, I am driven by the
fundamental belief that everyone deserves good lighting. From transit workers on the night shift, kids in the
classroom, or employees at a corporation, everyone deserves lighting that supports and enhances our
experience of the built environment.

I believe that the IALD is a great mechanism to elevate the voice of lighting designers. We need to continue
to support credentialing and recognition while advocating for the value of lighting design and the
importance of using educated and skilled lighting designers on projects of all scales. We need to support
advancing standards that can positively impact our industry. We face growth challenges with the talent
pipeline, the IALD has an impactful voice for education and advocacy. As the IALD, our supporters, and our
industry at large face impacts from the pandemic, it’s critical that we come together and rebuild for a strong
future.

Thank you for considering me as a director who will bring a collaborative and engaging voice to the Board. I
feel fortunate to do something I love every day and look forward to working with all of you to keep
advancing our industry forward.

IALD DIRECTOR AT LARGE CANDIDATE

MARIEL FUENTES, IALD
LDLuz Lighting Design
Barcelona, Spain

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Mariel Fuentes is Chilean, the founder and Creative director of LDLuz - Lighting Design in Barcelona, Spain.
She holds a master’s degree in Interior Design from the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain, and completed
her architectural studies at the Universidad de Chile. Prior to establishing LDLuz in 2016, she worked nearly
11 years for renowned studios in Spain specializing in architectural lighting design.

Dedicated to promoting lighting design as a recognized discipline, Mariel is deeply involved in the lighting
community, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Lighting
Design (IALD) since 2018, and the Board of Directors of the Professional Association of Lighting Designers in
Spain (APDI) since 2012. A huge contributor to lighting education, she is a professor of the Lighting Design
Master’s Program at the Polytechnic University of Barcelona (UPC) and teaches at the BAU- Centre
Universitari de Disseny de Barcelona and at IED Escola superior de Disseny, in both Barcelona and Madrid.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT
I have a strong commitment in the development, strengthening and growth of the profession, taking into
account the constant changes throughout the world and their role in different countries and societies.

I’m a faithfully convinced that cultivating and strengthening intercultural relationships at a professional level
in lighting design is one of the factors that can make the profession grow and establish worldwide. That is
why I work to promote the culture of light through my professional and personal links mainly between
America and Europe, but also worldwide.

It has been an honor to be invited to join the Board of Directors since 2018, and now I feel doubly honored
to have been nominated again by the Committee to continue this work as a candidate as Director At Large,
on the IALD Board of Directors.

It is a very important and great responsibility to continue serving, contributing and supporting. I will
enthusiastically take on every new challenge that can help our professional recognition. I believe that IALD is
an association that can improve our place in the professional world and society and give the best support to
all its members.

Thank you very much for considering me in this group of great people and very talented professionals.

IALD DIRECTOR AT LARGE CANDIDATE

ANA SPINA, IALD
FPOV
Sydney, Australia

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Ana Spina is the Studio Leader for FPOV Sydney. Architecture has always been Ana’s passion. She has
always wanted to work with something that could promote different experiences and sensations, which
makes her believe in the power that ‘LIGHT’ has on people’s life.

Ana has been working in the lighting design industry for 20 years, and in that time, she has developed
lighting for hospitality, residential and commercial projects in Brazil. Living in Australia since 2016, when she
joined FPOV, Ana is developing her skills in the Australian market and supporting the Sydney team projects
and clients.

Ana was elected to serve as an IALD Director at Large for 2020-2021, where she is a professional member
and she is a member of the Brazilian Association of Lighting Designers (AsBAI). Ana volunteered for 4 years
assisting the social group organising events and attending the Brazilian construction compliance/standards
organisation meetings to discuss the future of lighting design in the Country.

Ana has participated in various meetings and seminars around other disciplines, making her comfortable in
sharing her experiences, listening to people in the industry and promoting the Lighting Design practice.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT
It’s being a great privilege and a pleasure to collaborate on the IALD Board of Directors during the past 2
years, facing uncertain times in the beginning of the global pandemic in 2020.

Embracing this fundamental reframing – widely described as the “new normal” – means confronting
uncertainty head-on and building it into a different perspective. Connecting our community in the service of
bringing new lighting designers to IALD through the association's mission and purpose.

IALD has held a special place in my life. I had established myself as a recognised lighting designer in Brazil,
and I then decided to move to Australia with my family in 2016. Through the IALD community, I was
welcomed to join FPOV.

I am honoured to be invited for this election. If elected, I would ensure that I will bring a positive energy and
enthusiasm to this role, by promoting the growth of the association and significantly support and amplify
the connection with lighting designers around the world.

IALD DIRECTOR AT LARGE CANDIDATE

JACKSON STIGWOOD, ASSOCIATE IALD
A Billion Suns
Melbourne, Australia

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Jackson is the founding director of A Billion Suns, an Australia based lighting design consultancy. He has
worked in lighting architecture and design since 2008, on a broad range of projects throughout Australia,
Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Since 2015 Jackson has been an active member and coordinator for the Victorian chapter of the IALD. He
sits on the technical committee for the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance (ADSA) and in 2019 he began the
podcast series Light; Cities and Architecture, as a platform to provide lighting education to the community
whilst raising awareness of the lighting design profession. In 2020 he launched the CRI Awards, a publicly
funded initiative which seeks to highlight, design and implement positive community change to awfully lit
environments within our cities. He firmly believes that whilst we push the design boundaries at the top of
the lighting industry, we must also be consciously aware and make improvements to the bottom line within
our cities.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT
Thank you for considering me to be elected to the Board of Directors. Currently, we are moving through a
unique period of time, where people and organisations are observing, understanding and determining which
direction to proceed in next. The time in which this process takes from conception to implementation is
more critical than ever, and due to this limitation, we must accept that in finding new directions we need to
consider and try new options dynamically. Mistakes will be made through this process, however with
collaboration and support within the Board, it has the ability to experiment and implement the required
change successfully. I strongly believe that as an organisation and profession we will emerge from this
process more defined, with greater resources and with a new form of optimism and excitement for the times
ahead.

    •   Develop ways that define what we all do so passionately every day and why our profession is
        imperative in the creation of a better world.

    •   Engage and find places within the profession for all of the talented people that can provide benefit
        to our industry in the future.

    •   Continue to be the leader in providing events and opportunities to the profession which inspire,
        create community and instill pride in our members.

If elected to the Board of Directors I will encourage that we formulate and test new ideas in a collaborative
environment and will respect and support all other Board and Committee members throughout our
collective endeavors. I'm also a bit of an old soul, so all encouragement for change will come with
consideration and respect to what past IALD members have established and created for our profession.

IALD DIRECTOR AT LARGE CANDIDATE

BRANDON THRASHER, ASSOCIATE IALD
HLB Lighting Design
San Francisco, CA USA

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Brandon Thrasher is HLB Lighting Design’s San Francisco design studio Principal, and with over 16 years of
experience in the lighting industry his work has gifted him experience across the spectrum of lighting design.
His career began in theatrical lighting design, and through that experience he became captivated by the
confluence between lighting and architecture. Leveraging the skills acquired in theatre, Brandon has brought
a fresh, distinct design perspective to numerous projects for several architectural lighting design firms across
North America. Along with his role leading HLB’s San Francisco studio, Brandon holds a governance role as
HLB’s Treasurer, providing general financial oversight and budgeting for the firm.

Brandon has been a member of the IALD since 2006 and has served as the New England Chapter co-
coordinator and participating on the Education Trust Strategic Fundraising Committee. In addition to his
involvement with the IALD, Brandon is also an active member of the Illuminating Engineering Society and is a
LEED Accredited Professional.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT
Like many of you, the lighting design profession is part of my identity and nourishes my livelihood. I am a
lighting designer who has a passion for our craft and serves as a leader of a design studio within a larger
firm. I’m a business owner and a friend to many in the lighting industry. I have been fortunate enough to
work at design firms in various markets throughout the United States, and my unique experience makes me
a great candidate for this position. As a long-standing member of the IALD, this organization helps connect
me to our past, our present, and our future.

My work at design firms of all sizes throughout the USA has given me an understanding of the values that
are important to IALD members in different regions. My work as a previous IALD Chapter co-coordinator and
on committees shows a proven track record of collaboratively working with our members to build a better
and stronger organization. For the past 14 years, I have been an active member of the IALD serving in a
variety of roles. In filling the position of a Director, I bring my ability to take a broad, long-range approach to
problem solving and decision making that involves objective analysis and planning – considering what has to
happen now and in the long-term to achieve our vision and how it impacts various elements of the
organization.

The future of the IALD and the lighting design profession has the potential to face significant challenges. In
my service, I will work to ensure the sustainability of our organization and workforce as well as to inspire
more to join our industry. I will provide guidance and build a legacy for the IALD sustaining us through the
next 50 years as the next generation of leaders.

IALD MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR CANDIDATE

ARAM EBBEN, IALD
EXP
Maitland, FL USA

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
As Director and Managing Principal of the Lighting Design group within EXP, Aram Ebben, along with the
team of designers at EXP, combines illumination artistry with technical expertise to create award winning
lighting designs worldwide. Aram’s interest in the visual arts coalesced with his education in scenography.
Focusing on lighting for experience design, his project designs have taken him literally around the world
working on a variety of diverse projects that have ranged from major theme parks and aquariums, to high
end destination resorts and conference centers.

Aram a Certified Lighting Designer (CLD), is LEED AP accredited and is passionately committed to promoting
responsible design, lighting education and mentorship. He firmly believes that our future rests in the hands
of our young designers and that we all owe it to them to leave this planet better off than when we found it.
Aram has sat on the International Board of the Themed Entertainment Association and is currently an
Adjunct Professor at the University of Central Florida.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT
Having served the IALD in a number of different capacities over the past several years, I have had the
privilege to meet many of you and have come to realize that the brilliant diversity that we have within our
membership is unique and truly awe inspiring. I believe that it is this diversity that makes our collective voice
as strong as it is. Maintaining this diversity across geographies and cultures around the world is one of the
key challenges we face as we continue to grow as an association. As the Chair of the IALD Membership
Committee I will continue to encourage this diversity and growth.

I also feel that we as an industry continue to face a shortage, not only of adequately trained lighting design
professionals but also the educational institutions who produce them. As an association, we need to not
only actively support lighting design education, but also continue to partner with educational institutions to
ensure that what they are teaching is relevant and supporting the needs of the community. Through my
continued service on the Membership Committee, I will continue to foster ties with institutions that teach
lighting education and their students promoting the benefits of membership in the IALD.

I am honored by the opportunity to continue to serve the IALD Board and thank you for your consideration
of my candidacy.

IALD MEMBERHSHIP COMMITTEE CANDIDATE

QINI HUANG, IALD, CLD
VieLux Design International Inc.
Montreal, Canada

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Qini (Méko) Huang is a lighting designer with over 13 years of experience in lighting design and project
management for projects across Canada and internationally. The projects she worked on range from
architectural, transportation, hospitality, commercial, entertainment, landscape and public spaces and so on.

With work experience in lighting technologies and a background in computer science, Qini (Méko) brings
innovative, practical and economically viable lighting solutions combined with an aesthetic mindset. The
principles of her design are to provide a pleasing experience to users foremost, while illuminating spaces and
places.

Qini (Méko) is a professional member of the IALD, as well as a Certified Lighting Designer (CLD). She
understands the role of lighting in architectural and interior design. She aims to utilize her extensive
experience and knowledge of lighting equipment and systems to enhance and strengthen the end design.
She also uses her understanding of sustainability concepts in her design with the help of LEED and WELL
design principles.

CANDIATE STATEMENT
As the lighting industry evolved, lighting professionals have a large demand in the market. IALD creates a
well-established platform to advance the global profession of lighting design and serve members by
promoting education, community and engagement.

By being involved in the IALD events, activities, and helping to create the IALD Eastern chapter from zero in
the past few years, I am grateful to connect with talents and professionals who broaden my horizon in
lighting design because of the diverse and global platform of IALD. Also serving on the IALD Energy &
Sustainability Committee, has increased my lighting knowledge and understanding of how the environment
and regulations can be impacted by lighting.

With my great passion in lighting design, my advocacy of recognition of professional lighting designers is an
affirmation to the clients, users and designers from other disciplines. Lighting design is still a young industry
in some countries. I would like to dedicate my knowledge and effort to educate and promote lighting
design, as well as fulfilling the IALD’s mission. Lighting should not have a boundary. Together, we can go
further.

It is a great honor and pleasure to submit my name to obtain the opportunity to serving the IALD
Membership Committee. It would be a treasured opportunity to connect with the active members, as well as
welcoming the future members to join the IALD family.

IALD MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CANDIDATE

ARCHIT JAIN, IALD
Oculus Light Studio LLC
Culver City, CA USA

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
As co-founder and principal of Oculus Light Studio, Archit Jain brings extensive expertise and a cross-cultural
sensibility to his lighting design projects. Born and raised in New Delhi, India, where he studied architecture
at the School of Planning and Architecture, Archit worked as an architect and then moved to Los Angeles,
USA on a scholarship, for a Masters in Building Science at the University of Southern California.

Archit has practiced as a professional lighting designer for over 22 years. He started his own Los Angeles-
based studio in 2012, leading the firm’s varied range of projects, from commercial buildings, museums, and
landscapes, to retail environments, hotels, restaurants, and residences. For every project, the firm’s
exemplary service provides leading edge design along with a healthy dose of pragmatism to the process and
the final product. This has led to growth every year, and to date the firm has won over 70 design awards,
including 2 IALD awards.

Archit plays an active role in the local lighting community, along with lectures and critiques at area colleges
and national and international lighting forums. He bridges cultures, has traveled widely, and appreciates
both the differences and common threads that distinguish and connect people around the globe.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT
I have been a member of the IALD since 1998. It’s been a while, and I have progressed in my professional
career as a respected designer and team member, and a business owner with many years of experience in
the industry. It is now time to use this knowledge and assist other lighting designers to become a part of
the global lighting design community.

Over the years, I have enjoyed educating students on lighting design and the possibilities of a lighting design
career. Professionally, being a mentor to designers entering the profession and then seeing them succeed as
designers and become an important part of the lighting design industry has also been immensely satisfying.

With my upbringing in India, my professional career in the United States, and with projects in 5 continents I
can understand and translate between conventions and practices. I will be able to provide a multi-cultural
outlook to the membership committee.

As an owner of one of the very few minority design firms in the US, I bring a unique perspective. My
background as a person of color may encourage a diverse group of designers into the lighting design
profession and as members of the IALD. Perhaps they can avoid the same hesitancy in speaking up that I felt
in the earlier part of my career.

Great architectural projects are being designed in all corners of the planet and I look forward to help create
to a strong global community that we can all lean on as peers and friends, rather than as competitors.

IALD MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CANDIDATE

ELI SIRLIN, IALD
Eli Sirlin LD
Buenos Aires, Argentina

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Architect and Professor of Fine Arts, Eli Sirlin has projected architectural, show and art light designs,
developing an extensive number of ephemeral and permanent artistic installations during the last 30 years.
In 2006 she was appointed Head of the Lighting Design Department at the National University of Arts. She is
also Professor of Lighting Design in Architecture Studies at the University of Buenos Aires.

Eli Sirlin has published several articles about light in specialized journals and two books on theatrical lighting,
“The scenic lighting”, published by the University of Buenos Aires, and “The light in the theater, lighting
manual”, winner of the Theater Award World 2005 in the essay heading, published by the Instituto Nacional
del Teatro, with an updated version this year edited by Libros.UNA. (National University of Arts editions).

She has given many presentations and conferences internationally and has been part of numerous juries and
evaluating committees of lighting design projects, undergraduate thesis, and educational contests, in her
home country and abroad. She also has active participation in the international voluntary committee of
EILD.

In 2019 she was elected as IALD member in the Membership Committee, participating in the Fellowship and
the Nominations Elections committees in 2020.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT
I am very pleased to resubmit my application to continue serving as a member of the IALD Membership
Committee. I was elected in 2019 and I had an enriching experience with my membership colleagues
interchanging opinions and contributing to improve application forms and evaluation considerations.

In my country, I have directed a wide variety of lighting design projects in all areas, which allows me to
detect quality conditions related to lighting design. I have also participated in numerous meetings related to
the condition of professional work in lighting design and its ethics. My involvement in promoting respectable
ethical and professional standards for lighting design has earned the respect of my colleagues.

I also observe an increasing demand for the inclusion of new members into the lighting design community. I
believe we need to discuss what it means to be an IALD member in the face of a globalized world in a
process of continuous day-to-day change and seek to integrate professionals with a diverse cultural,
technical and artistic background, thus contributing to the association’s growth worldwide.

As a professional lighting designer, I understand the responsibility that being an IALD member entails, and to
uphold the association's standards regarding the good practice of the profession. For this reason, I fully
support the association’s commitment to promote greater awareness of the benefits of lighting and lighting
designers, something I have tried to achieve during my entire career.

I have been part of numerous juries and evaluating committees of lighting design projects. If re-elected, I
would continue offering my professional viewpoint in the evaluation of the submitted applications, taking
into account local contexts as well as universal values of experience and skills. Besides my background I had
experienced the committee job, and I think I am capable of continuing working in it.

BALLOTS MUST BE SUBMITTED ON THE VOTENET SUBMISSION SITE BY 1 NOVEMBER 2021.
ELECTION RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED VIA EMAIL AND ON IALD.ORG IN DECEMBER 2021.

                                                                EMAIL: ELECTIONS@IALD.ORG
                                                                        TEL: +1 312 527 3677
                                                                       FAX: +1 312 527 3680
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