Read more: Trusting the Path…A Second Act, Illuminated

by Kaylene Campbell, Senior Associate , DLR Group  | WILD President, Portland Chapter

My path into the lighting industry was gradual, until it became my Plan A, B, and C. As a young adult, I chose tax accounting as my career, and while it served me and my family well for over 20 years, I eventually realized that creativity had to define my second half of life. So at 38, as a single mom of three young kids, I moved to Portland, Oregon, and went back to school for an interiors degree.

Because it took me eight years to finish, I had plenty of time to consider where my career might lead. Then one day, leaving the grocery store, my youngest daughter said, “Mom! Did you see what color they lit the meat with?” I stood there dumbfounded, realizing that in every design studio, I always began by imagining the lighting. Even my kids knew before I fully did, that lighting was my path.

When I graduated ten years ago, I spent several formative years at a local MEP firm, where I built my foundation in lighting design. It was an ideal beginning because I had zero electrical experience, but I was surrounded by patient, thorough engineers and colleagues willing to teach me. At one point, I didn’t even realize “grounding” meant something literal in the ground.

With three daughters and many close female friendships, my path to WILD felt equally natural. Supporting, mentoring, and showing up for women has always been central to who I am. I believe women often need to build our own table in the workplace, and then invite others to join, expand it, and create spaces of their own. Waiting for corporate structures alone to champion women in meaningful, compassionate ways has too often felt like a fool’s errand, so creating support and opportunity wherever I can simply makes sense.

The older I get, the more I value encouraging younger professionals to find their passion, understanding that passion can evolve over time. I care deeply about helping people listen to themselves, trust their instincts, and have the courage to pursue the life and work they truly want.

Read more: Taking the long way around to lighting…

by Brooke Williams, Senior Designer, HLB

Hi! I’m Brooke Williams, a senior lighting designer at HLB in San Francisco. I took the long way around to lighting — starting in architectural engineering at CU Boulder, switching to Environmental Design, and ultimately finding lighting through the certificate program. It turned out to be the perfect overlap of my engineering brain and my design heart, and I’ve been in it ever since.

View Brooke’s Story at CU Bolder

I’ve been fortunate to work at a range of firms and to learn from mentors at every step. I’ve had opportunities to work on projects from trash enclosures to high-end residential — and I’ve found joy in all of it.

Everything needs light. It always matters. And at the end of the day, it’s always for people.

I joined my first Women in Lighting + Design (WILD) call in my second week in the industry. I’d never been part of a professional organization before, but I kept showing up, slowly came out of my shell, and started building real connections. Nearly eight years later, the women I’ve met through WILD are some of the best people I know across all ages, experiences, and roles in the industry. It’s a community that grows quietly over time, until one day you realize it feels almost like family.

I’m also a recent co‑coordinator for the International Association of Lighting Designers San Francisco (IALD SF), and I absolutely love being part of that broader global community.

For anyone newer to the industry: keep showing up, say hi, and ask all the questions.

by Kathleen Ameera Rivero, Brand Manager – MEIA & ASEAN, Tridonic Middle East FZE

I am writing this to you all from Dubai, where I’ve spent the last decade-plus immersed in the world of lighting. I  recently woke up to the incredible news that my concept was selected as the winner of the first-ever WILD T shirt design competition. Honestly, it was the perfect reprieve and a much-needed dose of positive energy  amidst the heavy news cycles we’ve all been seeing lately. 

My journey in this industry began over 13 years ago. I started in sales for the Middle East branch of Mackwell,  an emergency lighting manufacturer based in the UK while at the same time, working for Archilum, a lighting  specialist based in Dubai. I was hired directly from the Philippines. I then continued my career as the Marketing  Communications Specialist for MEIAT (Middle East, India, Africa, and Turkey) for Tridonic and have grown  alongside the brand, eventually moving into Brand Management for the MEIA-ASEAN regions. From  conceptualizing marketing campaigns from start to finish and to managing regional budgets, my career has  always sat at the intersection of technical lighting and creative storytelling. 

Recently, I’ve been able to apply that technical rigor to a prestigious global recognition in the industry. I am  proud to have been instrumental for Tridonic’s last five DALI Lighting Awards wins dating back to 2022 — maintaining a 100% hit rate, with two of those five prestigious awards secured just this year in the DALI Awards  2026. 

The Inspiration for the design: Classy, Eclectic, and Purposeful 

When I sat down to conceptualize this design for WILD, I wanted to step away from the “dated” aesthetics often  found in corporate apparel and move toward something classy, eclectic, and purposeful all at the same time. 

The design is rooted in the theme of International Women’s Day, whose main colors is a palette of purple,  green, and white.  

Purple signifies justice and dignity, and being loyal to the cause. 

Green symbolizes hope. 

White represents purity, albeit a controversial concept. Yet, the wearing of white is a symbol of sisterhood and  solidarity, respecting and representing the progress made by those who have fought for women’s suffrage. 

To deepen the narrative of this piece, I incorporated the powerful symbol of The Lotus Flower: A symbol of growth and beauty blooming from murky waters. For me, it represents beauty, absolute purity, honesty, rebirth, self-regeneration, and enlightenment — a reminder that  even in heavy times, we can create something vibrant and purposeful. 

The graphic elements — the stylized spotlights and circuit lines and tools — reflect our daily technical reality.  It’s a tribute to the “WILD” spirit we all share: the courage to be different, the drive to innovate, and the  commitment to lighting up the world in our own way. 

I am so honored to officially join the WILD community as a member and to see this design worn by such a  talented group of women. Thank you for this opportunity! I look forward to growing more in this industry with  all of you.

by Nancy Stathes, President, Specialty Lighting Industries

WILD has blossomed from the conversations on the floor at Lightfair in NYC many years ago and it has grown into an incredible resource for all in the lighting community.  We learn, exchange, respect, grow and make new friends!  I enjoy so many of the programs in different cities across the country. I have had the privilege of being an active participant in discussions and spreading the word. We are one community.  

I have been surrounded by a community that has always been welcoming and gives. I have a debt of gratitude to my mentors, colleagues and friends who have been my guiding light. As a proud member of several associations for decades, I have and continue to volunteer in hopes of giving back a small piece in return for what I have received. 

My lighting journey began 37 years ago in the Spring of this year, at 21, fresh out of school, bit by the lighting bug-and it has been an incredible journey. There is still so much to learn and even more to give.

For 35 years, I’ve shared my life with an amazing husband. We love cooking, enjoying good wine, connecting with friends and sporting events. I love to read. We are so proud of our two incredible grown children. Sunday family dinners, with their partners, remain one of my greatest joys as our family continues to grow.  

As a proud member of several associations for decades, I have and continue to volunteer in hopes of giving back a small piece in return for what I have received. 

A few things I have learned along the way:

Remember, there are more of us in your corner than you think, don’t be afraid to reach out!

– Take a breath first. 

– Be the best version of yourself-not who your audience wants to see. 

– Embrace change and then effect change. 

Remember, there are more of us in your corner than you think, don’t be afraid to reach out!