October 10, 2025
Designers are honored for decades of impact, leadership and mentorship
TUCSON, Ariz — At the base of the Catalina Foothills, beneath the subtle hues of an October sky, five lighting designers were inducted into the school College of Fellows of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD). – one of the highest honors in the profession.
This year's ceremony opened the Enlighten Americas 2025 conference, with IALD President Andrea Hartranft somewhat sheepishly declaring the inductees “dear friends.” For an industry often viewed through the cold standards of footcandles and fixtures, the moment was distinctly human. The new fellows:
- Teal Brogden
- Jill Cody
- Aram there
- Ron Kurtz
- Monica Luz Lobo
A profession, illuminated
A fellowship at IALD is more than just professional success. It signals a designer who has left his mark on the global lighting community – not just through his construction work, but also through mentorship, leadership and institutional change.
(L to R): Aram Ebben, Jill Cody, Ron Kurtz, IALD President Andrea Hartranft, Mônica Luz Lobo and Teal Brogden
Teal BrogdenPresident of HLB lighting designhas spent over 40 years facilitating design conversations in both boardrooms and classrooms. Her resume includes iconic projects—Griffith Observatory, Hayward Field—and institutions from California to Hong Kong. But colleagues describe their influence less as a matter of scope and more as a calibration: the quiet correction that brings a project or person into focus.
Jill CodyFounder of Dark light designhas illuminated civic spaces across the Pacific Northwest with language that values human experience over technical bravery. Her projects – such as the Seattle Ferry Terminal and the Pike Place Market Expansion – emphasize the narrative function of light. Cody’s work doesn’t just illuminate; it articulates space, mood and memory. Behind the scenes, she chaired committees, led mentorship programs and shaped the IALD Education Trust as current president.
For Aram thereDirector at EXPLighting is inextricably linked to storytelling. A trained theater designer, Ebben's portfolio ranges from hospitals to themed entertainment, with an unmistakable scenographic flair. A vocal advocate of education and LEARNING, he sees design not just as an outcome but as a process of public engagement.
Ron Kurtzalso from Dark light designbrings a meticulous hand to the complex civic infrastructure. From the Gateway Arch in St. Louis to the I-35 Bridge in Minneapolis, his projects encompass utility and symbolism. Kurtz's long tenure at IALD includes leadership positions on finance, membership and liaison committees – areas where influence is less visible but often more impactful.
Monica Luz Lobothe most internationally recognized of this year's class, was the first South American designer to achieve the Certified Lighting Designer (CLD) qualification. As a former IALD president, she led the association through the volatility of the pandemic. your company, LD Studiohas completed more than 1,700 projects throughout Brazil and beyond. Still, colleagues describe their leadership not by the numbers, but by its grace – “playful and practical,” “progressive but down-to-earth.”
The ceremony in Tucson provided a thoughtful pause for a profession that focuses more on designing experiences than claiming recognition. For the five new Fellows, the award was both a culmination and a continuation – honoring decades of work while reaffirming their commitment to the next generation of designers.