Five lighting designers inducted into the IALD College of Fellows

The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) welcomed five inductees into the esteemed ranks of the IALD College of Fellows.

During the welcoming session of the IALD Enlighten Americas 2025 lighting design conference in Tucson, Arizona, association president Andrea Hartranft, FIALD, CLD, was overjoyed to welcome five industry veterans to the collegiate ranks:

• Teal Brogden, FIALD, CLD, of HLB Lighting Design
• Jill Cody, FIALD, CLD, of Dark Light Design
• Aram Ebben, FIALD, CLD, of EXP
• Ron Kurtz, FIALD, CLD, of Dark Light Design
• Mônica Luz Lobo, FIALD, CLD, of LD Design

Acceptance into the IALD College of Fellows recognises the achievements of the designer as an individual and honours a model architectural lighting designer who has made a significant contribution to the international design/build community.

Fellowship also acknowledges outstanding contributions to the IALD as an association. Induction into the IALD College of Fellows begins with the nomination of a candidate by at least two IALD voting members.

President Hartranft was touched by this year’s roster of new Fellows: “These are all dear friends,” she shared with the audience. “It means so much to see each of them receive this recognition.”

Teal Brogden, FIALD, CLD

Teal Brogden’s commitment to design excellence has been the hallmark of a uniquely prolific and widely celebrated career. With a background in both the arts and engineering, Teal has been adept at balancing and surpassing the ephemeral and technical challenges inherent in lighting design. As Senior Principal and President at HLB Lighting Design, she is fundamental to the firm’s national and international efforts.

Her extensive portfolio of award-winning work spans four decades and multiple countries, including iconic structures such as the Griffith Observatory, the United States Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles, the Xiqu Centre, Hayward Field, and countless other notable projects. Her holistic approach to design, born from industry leadership and applauded project work, makes her an invaluable mentor who enhances the caliber and capability of her colleagues and team.

She has held a variety of leadership roles to enhance the visibility of the lighting profession, including five decades of elected and volunteer positions with the IALD. She carries the esteemed title of Certified Lighting Designer (CLD) and is a frequent speaker at association events.

Serving as Chairperson of the Board of Directors at HLB Lighting Design for 10 years, Teal embodies a profound enthusiasm for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mentorship, as evident in the current and upcoming classes of design leaders at the firm. She remains committed to and continually active in higher education. She is a founding member of the Rocky Mountain Lighting Academy at her alma mater, the University of Colorado Boulder, and has served as a guest lecturer or professor of short courses at universities throughout California and beyond nearly every year since 1992.

As a renowned subject matter expert in the lighting community and the broader AEC industry, Teal has uplifted the craft of lighting design through an unwavering commitment to her clients, peers, students, and staff.

Jill Cody, FIALD, CLD

Jill Cody is the Founder and Principal of Dark Light Design, an award-winning architectural lighting design practice established in 2008. She has led the lighting design for projects spanning public infrastructure, civic spaces, cultural institutions, higher education, hospitality, and houses of worship. Her work emphasizes the integration of lighting with architecture and landscape to enrich the human experience – enhancing placemaking, wayfinding, and community identity.

Jill’s portfolio includes civic and cultural landmarks, such as the Harley-Davidson Museum, the Pike Place Market Expansion, the Seattle Central Waterfront, and the Seattle Ferry Terminal. Across scales and project types, she champions lighting as a powerful design tool that reveals materials, reinforces brand, shapes mood, and inspires people in the built environment.

Jill’s leadership acumen within the profession extends far beyond her practice. She has served numerous advisory and voluntary roles for the IES, Lightfair, and ACE Mentor Program. Within the IALD, she has participated as an IALD Awards judge, served on the IALD Board of Directors, and has been both a committee member and later chair of the IALD Membership Committee. With profound commitment to the IALD Education Trust, she served first as a director on the Trust Board and later as its Treasurer. She currently serves as President of the IALD Education Trust, advancing initiatives that support emerging professionals and expand access to lighting education.

Jill’s dedication to the lighting design community, her thoughtful approach to mentorship, and her passion for elevating the role of light in the public realm have been the lodestar of her three-decade career.

Aram Ebben, FIALD, CLD

Aram Ebben is the Director of Lighting Design and Principal for EXP, a multinational professional services firm based in North America. There, he leads a team of 18 designers who combine illumination artistry with technical expertise to create award-winning lighting designs worldwide. Aram’s interest in the visual arts coalesced with his university education in scenography and a master’s program in London, where he studied under leading English Theatre Designers. With over 29 years of experience, Aram has worked internationally on a variety of diverse projects ranging from retail, healthcare, corporate, transportation, hospitality, themed, and experiential.

Aram is a Professional Member of the IALD, a Certified Lighting Designer (CLD), LEED AP accredited, and passionately committed to promoting responsible design, lighting education, volunteering, and mentorship. He has been actively involved in the IALD for over 15 years, serving in numerous capacities. He recently concluded his term as Chair of the IALD Membership Committee and currently serves as a Director on the IALD Board.

Ron Kurtz, FIALD, CLD

Ron Kurtz brings over three decades of experience in architectural lighting design, offering creative and technically sound solutions for a wide range of project types across the United States and internationally. His work reflects not only a deep understanding of light as a design tool but also a strong commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and the careful integration of lighting into the built environment.

Ron’s voluntary contributions to the IALD, spanning decades of membership, have been both selfless and steadfast. A leader when needed, a team player when suitable, his professional colleagues know him to be perceptive and forward-thinking, thoughtful and deliberate, and able to frame complex issues in an understandable manner. Ron has served on the IALD Finance Committee, Membership Committee, and the IALD Board of Directors, and currently co-chairs the LIRC Steering Committee.

Throughout his career, Ron has contributed to projects that present both complex visual goals and significant technical challenges. His portfolio includes nationally recognized landmarks such as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Gateway Arch in St. Louis and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., as well as civic icons like the Missouri, Arkansas, and Utah State Capitols.

He has also played a key role in large-scale infrastructure projects, including the I-35 St. Anthony Falls Bridge in Minneapolis and the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which connects Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

Beyond these landmark efforts, Ron’s expertise extends to corporate headquarters, educational institutions, retail destinations, and hospitality environments, where he consistently works to enhance architectural intent while creating memorable experiences for users. His collaborative approach and thoughtful design solutions continue to influence how light shapes architecture and enriches the spaces people inhabit.

Mônica Luz Lobo, FIALD, CLD

Mônica Luz Lobo is an architect and urban planner, having graduated from Universidade Santa Úrsula in Brazil. She has been working in architectural lighting design since 1997, when she founded LD Studio. Over the years, she has developed more than 1,700 projects of varying scales and applications, with special recognition for her work in historical heritage sites and cultural facilities.

She is one of the founders of the Brazilian Association of Lighting Architects and has been an active presence on the international stage as a professional member of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). She also serves on the committee of the Encuentro Iberoamericano de Lighting Design (EILD).

A pioneer in advancing the profession in Brazil, Mônica became the first South American professional to receive the international Certified Lighting Designer (CLD) credential. She served on the IALD Board of Directors and, in 2020, became the association’s President, allowing her to put her profound dedication to work in an executive capacity that guided the IALD safely through the global pandemic. Now a Past President, she continues to volunteer for the organization, including serving on the Membership Model Task Force and other appointments.

Mônica’s work has received industry recognition through multiple awards and publications in Brazil and abroad. She remains deeply engaged in the field’s development, frequently attending lectures, workshops, and international conferences.

Her industry peers regard her as a masterful design professional with an approach that is respectful, playful, and appropriate. Colleagues also praise her as a practical and progressive leader, all while maintaining a grace and humility that inspires those fortunate enough to work with her.

Those interested in learning more about the IALD College of Fellows, including the criteria, nomination and induction process, and the international roster of current Fellow Members, can visit www.iald.org/fellows for details.