ENGAGING IN h it w n o ti a s r e v n Co ARE YOU WILD?
KAYLENE CAMPBELL
AJ GORMAN
By KELLY ROBERTS
In the dynamic world of lighting design, AJ Gorman and Kaylene Campbell stand out as catalysts for inclusivity and empowerment in the Pacific Northwest. Their inspiring journeys reflect the diverse paths that women can take in the traditionally male-dominated realm of lighting and design.
event she met Maggie Golden, another active WILD member in Boston, and with Maggie’s prompting during this serendipitous moment, AJ shifted her focus. AJ found a passion for the field, leading to her current career as a lighting designer at Windward Lighting Studio.
Now serving as Chapter leaders for Women in Lighting + Design (WILD) Seattle and Portland, respectively, AJ and Kaylene are advocates for gender diversity and professional development in the industry, using WILD as a catalyst for conversation to support women navigating the complexities of modern life.
In contrast, Kaylene embarked on her lighting odyssey after a successful career in tax accounting. Looking for a more artistic endeavor, she first pursued interior design, managing to earn her degree while working full time as a single mom with 3 daughters. Her shift to lighting came towards the end of her studies when, during a routine grocery trip, her 5-year-old asked about the lighting of the store.
Initially drawn to architectural engineering, AJ's journey took a decisive turn when she attended a Society of Women Engineers event the weekend before classes began at Penn State. At the
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designing lighting
Kaylene realized that she had been speaking about lighting and focusing on it in her studies so much that her daughters had