Member Feature: CARLOTTA VERDI is a REGIONAL DIRECTOR MIDDLE EAST AT ARTEMIDE. She likes to keep things fun while still staying connected to what inspires her professionally.
Take a look at what activities keep her busy “AFTER HOURS“…
After hours, I like to keep things fun while still staying connected to what inspires me professionally. I enjoy exploring great restaurants and live music, traveling when I can, and spending quality time with family and friends. I’m naturally curious, so I’m always interested in discovering new places, experiences, and ideas that spark creativity and fresh perspective.
I enjoy staying up to date on industry trends, visiting inspiring spaces, and seeing how lighting transforms environments and brings people together.
That curiosity carries over into my passion for lighting and design. I enjoy staying up to date on industry trends, visiting inspiring spaces, and seeing how lighting transforms environments and brings people together. Whether I’m recharging outdoors, networking with peers, or simply appreciating well-designed spaces, I believe great ideas often come from experiences outside the office—and I bring that energy back into my role as Regional Director.
Want to be featured in what inspires you after hours? Please share with us!
Member Feature: KETRYNA FARE is a STUDIO DIRECTOR AT CM KLING + ASSOCIATES. She is an active member of WILD and currently is active in both the NY and Orlando chapters. She believes that experiencing different cultures, different rhythms, and different ways of seeing the world are a driving path in a happy life.
Take a look at what activities keep her busy “AFTER HOURS“…
This week, it’s me on ski slopes in Lebanon. Other weeks, it’s barefoot by the beach in São Paulo. Some winters are spent in snow boots, others in sandals (or both).
In between: Florida, São Paulo, Beirut; and everywhere life and work have taken me.
I’m not one thing. I’m a combination of all of it, and I’m better because of it.
Being interviewed on Podcast
Speaking at IALD Enlighten
Skiing in Beirut
Re energizing my mind, body and soul.
Different cultures, different rhythms, different ways of seeing the world.
Long night calls across time zones. Early mornings that start before most cities wake up. Moments of exploration, recalibration, and returning to my roots.
I don’t live on a plane. I experience. I observe. I calibrate.
This way of living isn’t a distraction from my work, it’s the foundation of it. It sharpens my intuition, deepens my perspective, and keeps me grounded in what actually matters: people, culture, context, and meaning.
Every place leaves a trace. And together, they shape how I think, create, and lead.
📍Somewhere between the mountains, the city, and home.
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Member Feature: BARBARA MARANHAO is an Eastern Regional Sales Manager at Feelux Lighting. She is an active member of the WILD New Jersey chapter. Originally from Brazil , she moved to the USA in 2016. Learning to navigate another culture and language helped her with flexibility and empathy.
Take a look at what activities keep her busy “AFTER HOURS“…
MADE is a craft fair I participate every year.
I always come with something different: photography, watercolor, collage.
Barbara is also very active in dancing and photography! Spreading light where ever she goes.
Want to be featured in what inspires you after hours? Please share with us!
Member Feature: Andrea (Andi) Hunt is a Project Manager at JC Wright Lighting Sales in Spokane, Washington.
Andi is involved in our Spokane chapter. Take a look at what activity keeps her energy burning “AFTER HOURS“…
I am part of a professional belly dance troupe called Wild Alchemy. We dance “Fat Chance” style Belly dance. I also teach this style. I am also learning sword dancing and do some fire dancing and fire eating. I am a huge reader and I love to crochet.
Member Feature: Juliana Ejsmont (LC), is a lighting specialist with Leviton Lighting – Birchwood | Intense | Contech.
Juliana has been a member and involved in our Seattle and Chicago chapters. Take a look at what activity keeps Juliana focused “AFTER HOURS“…
Outside of my day-to-day career, I love incorporating lighting, architecture, and art into nearly everything I do. Photography has been a passion since I was young. I bought my first DSLR at 18, which sparked my interest in Adobe programs and digital art. Over the years I’ve explored so many forms of technological art just for fun, even autoCAD and AGi32. I also played in a concert band up until just a few years ago. I won’t reveal exactly what since guessing what people play is one of my favorite games. Concerts, museums, yoga, massages, cooking, fashion, antiques, flowers, nature, and just general exploring are all my kind of self care.
More recently, I’ve taken up stained glass, a craft I grew up watching my father do, and it’s been meaningful to carry his legacy forwardin both my professional and personal life. My mom would never call herself an artist, but my lifelong love of crafts definitely comes from her.
Growing up in a family business, lighting is heavily intertwined in my life. Despite having a degree in forensic psychology, I feel grateful every day for the path I’m on. Lighting truly touches everything I do.
Member Feature: Syllia Newstead (LC), is a freelance lighting designer with Live Nation Entertainment Inc.,.
Syllia is a new member and joined WILD at her first event during the WILD event at LEDucation in 2025. Take a look at what activity keeps Syllia rolling “AFTER HOURS“…
Syllia has always had an interest in rollerskating. She loved skating and skated with her niece and nephew when they were little. Rollerskating was a great way to express her self and also get some exercise in. It was where she could travel in time and not worry about the world. She also loves taking her beautiful orange skates on her vacations.
After seeing a flyer in town for Roller Derby, she was hooked. She knew it was a thing but it wasn’t real to her yet. Now Roller Derby is a very important part of her life. She has played as a jammer with four different leagues since 2017. Her home league is Free State Roller Derby in Rockville, MD where she was a captain for the Rock Villains during the 2023-2024 seasons. Her first bouts with Black Diaspora Roller Derby was at the Cornfed Tournament in Indiana, where the team won first place! Roller Derby has been able to bring her community and friendships. After a long day of work, it’s nice to not think about anything and just hit your buddies!
Syllia’s family is from Sierra Leone in West Africa. She loves her culture and wants more people to learn about Africa and Sierra Leone. She created a short film about Sierra Leone for its 62nd independence Day, highlighting its culture, music, people, and food.
Member Feature: Laura Green is the Director of Systems & Integration at Kinetic Lighting and the current chapter leader of WILD Los Angeles.
Take a look at what activity inspires and keeps Laura very busy “AFTER HOURS“…
I’ve been at Kinetic Lighting for over 9 years, and currently serve as the the Director of System Sales & Installations. As the chapter lead of WILD Los Angeles, I love connecting people and creating opportunities for others to grow their networks. I’m currently pursuing my MBA with a concentration in Leadership.
” After Hours” I enjoy archery, hiking, and camping with my family. We have a small farm “Green Roots Homestead” where we have a mini Jersey cow, goats, chickens, turkeys, honeybees, gardens, and even an emu—it’s never boring! I’m also a mom to two energetic boys, ages 3 and 5, so we’re outside a lot, exploring, playing, and taking care of the animals.
Life is definitely busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Member Feature: Minnie Kalla (LC), is a Lighting Designer Sales Specialist with Specification Lighting Sales, LLC in New Jersey. As a licensed Lighting Designer, Millie has served in a design capacity as an innovative Designer & a rooted Architect with an excellent ability to implement ideas & concepts. She is now currently serving in a new role of Sales Specialist.
Mille has been active in our WILD Philadelphia and NJ / NY chapters. Take a look at what activity inspires and re-invigorates Minnie “AFTER HOURS“…
After hours, I find joy in dancing and staying active through Zumba workouts. Growing up, my mom enrolled me in Shiamak Davar’s Performing Arts classes, a renowned program led by a world-famous choreographer from India. In addition to learning choreography, we were encouraged to perform on stage, which played a significant role in boosting my confidence. Those formative years shaped my love for dance and instilled a sense of self-assurance that I carry with me in all aspects of life.
Today, I continue to nurture this passion by attending Zumba classes. It’s more than just a workout—it’s a time for me to unwind and reconnect with myself. The combination of movement and music helps me de-stress, stay energized, and maintain a positive outlook. Dancing allows me to express myself freely and recharges both my body and mind, keeping me balanced and inspired.
Member Feature: REMY DANIEL, is a Lighting Designer with Newcomb & Boyd in Atlanta, Ga. With roots in fashion and textiles, Remy pivoted into lighting design in 2015, and since joining Newcomb & Boyd in 2022, she has become known for her thoughtful integration of design, engineering, and visual comfort .
Remy is a co-leader of our WILD Atlanta chapter and in her free time AFTER Hours she finds her solice and freedom in many different ways.
Take a look at what activity inspires and re-invigorates Remy “AFTER HOURS“…
When I am not working or spending time with my family and friends, I am usually engaged in some sort of educational advancement program. I find so much enjoyment in learning and almost as much in making connections with others along the way. I have created networks of friends in a variety of communities that have inspired and contributed to my growth and success. For this I am so grateful!
This year I have been able to re-engage with my in-flight training and ground study for the FAA exam which will put me one step closer to obtaining my pilot’s license. A path I have been on and off for almost 8 years now.
Flying has been a passion and hobby of mine. Something I enjoy sharing with my dad who is a Private Pilot and my teenage boys who have already shown the same interest I did at their age!
Altogether, the consistent thing I experience that provides the most joy with anything I study is the journey to achievement, and the people I meet along the way.
Remy combines technical expertise—including certification as a private pilot—with a passion for mentorship and advocacy. She is committed to uplifting women in lighting, promoting visual comfort, and supporting inclusive growth in the field—a true advocate and innovator in architectural lighting design.
Member Feature: RENÉE LESKOWAT, ASSOCIATE IALD, IES is a Senior Designer with hlstudios. Renee is an active member of our WILD charlotte chapter.and in her free time AFTER Hours she fuels her mind and her body.
Take a look at what activity inspires and re-invigorates Renee “AFTER HOURS“…
I read, a lot, (maybe too much); psychology, anthropology, management, interpersonal communication, mindfulness, romance.
I cook with friends and family, hang out at local breweries and coffee shops, hike a bit, do a lot of hot yoga, and I love a good project, whether that’s art, home improvements or learning to groom my doodle.
