IESNYC President Shoshanna Segal Wraps an Inspiring Term

When I spoke at the Lumen Awards in June, I mused about the saying, “May you live in interesting times.” No one seems to know who actually said it, and it’s widely considered either a curse or a back-handed blessing. Regardless, after two and a half years as IESNYC President, I can confidently say: mission thoroughly accomplished.

As I wrap up my term, I find myself reflecting on how grateful I am that we’ve all had the privilege (and occasionally the chaos) of navigating these interesting times together. As lighting professionals, we’ve faced these challenges armed with drawings, schedules, submittals, cut sheets, and in my personal case, an extremely questionable reliance on caffeine. Uncertainty has been a constant character in our story: in the economy, in the climate, in politics, and in just about every project kickoff meeting. Yet through it all, this community has shown resilience, creativity, and an abiding commitment to supporting one another.

As January approaches and I prepare to step down, I know I won’t be stepping away. I intend to keep reaching out, mentoring, nudging (gently… mostly), and championing our work.

I think if we’re honest with ourselves and each other, we know that the future of our profession doesn’t rest solely with those of us already at the table, the seasoned pros and industry veterans. It also depends on students, career-changers, and wildly creative people who don’t yet know that architectural lighting is a real and meaningful industry. As members of this community we are privileged to have the opportunity and the responsibility to shape how the world sees the built environment; where they live, work, learn, shop, eat, and where they pray. That comes with an obligation to promote ourselves and our professions.

Our seat at the table

That means showing up beyond our usual circles. In places where folks have no idea what TM-30 is, what a dark sky does, or why vertical illuminance matters. It means demonstrating how lighting can transform a space, elevate an experience, and influence how people feel. We know that lighting is not a footnote or an afterthought. We need to show the world that light shapes how we see literally everything: the spaces we enter, the people we meet, and the way we experience our cities and our lives.

It also means being a more vocal participant in wider design conversations. If we are not at the table when architecture and design decisions are being made, we will continue to be late to the party. Every time we’re asked to “just make it glow,” we need to push back, to fight to make meaningful, collaborative contributions. Lighting is no longer an emerging discipline. We’re a mature industry and we need to start behaving that way.

The IESNYC has been bringing this community together for 120 years. That’s no small feat. We have shared knowledge, supported one another’s growth, illuminated our city, and, yes, thrown some banging parties along the way. Serving as the 95th Section President has been one of the great honors of my professional life. The IESNYC thrives because its members show up, volunteer, collaborate, and care deeply about the quality of our shared work.

And don’t worry. I’ll still be around, asking annoying questions, championing transparency and access, and occasionally offering unsolicited advice. I care deeply about this community, and I will continue to advocate on our collective behalf. I can’t thank you enough for your trust, support, and good humor along this wonderful and interesting journey. My title may be changing, but my passion for light, the people who make it, and the city where we work remains. I’m passing the gavel, not turning out the lights.

Shoshanna Segal, CLD, IALD, IES

IESNYC President 2023-2025