ARE YOU WILD? taboo in the business world, but it is impossible to separate your life at home from your life in the office. There is an intersection between leveraging conversations that are more personal to help create a supportive ecosystem where women can thrive professionally.
Visions for the Future AJ and Kaylene harbor ambitious dreams for the future of both their local communities and the lighting industry at large. Their shared vision revolves around prioritizing inclusivity and openness to counteract the competitive and exclusionary tendencies that often plague other professional organizations. For Kaylene, she envisions WILD becoming the new standard for women in lighting, where membership is not just encouraged but essential for professional growth and networking opportunities.
SEATTLE GROUP Originally, Portland and Seattle were combined under the Pacific Northwest Chapter, but the success of WILD in their respective areas led to a geographical split. Despite the physical distance separating them, Seattle and Portland remain united in their shared mission, co-hosting virtual events for both sets of members. Their developing Spotlight Series, featuring interviews with lighting powerhouses such as Naomi Miller of PNNL and Jill Cody of Dark Light Design, is a chance to highlight professionals from diverse backgrounds and career stages. By amplifying women's voices and highlighting their contributions to the field, they are challenging stereotypes and breaking down barriers that have historically hindered women's advancement in male-dominated industries.
Holding Space As chapter leaders, AJ and Kaylene spearhead efforts to create diverse and engaging events that cater to the broad interests and needs of their members. Non-lighting related conversations play a crucial role within the WILD community, offering opportunities to connect on a deeper level beyond professional interests. By addressing topics like menopause, work-life balance and career-family dynamics, they are creating a safe space where women can share their struggles, insights, and advice with one another. These conversations not only validate individual experiences but also highlight common challenges – they dismantle the isolation often experienced in male-dominated fields and provide a platform for mutual understanding and solidarity. As AJ and Kaylene emphasize, these conversations are essential for empowering women to navigate the complexities of modern life. Many of the topics discussed are considered
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Similarly, AJ envisions a future where WILD serves as a catalyst for change, inspiring greater engagement and participation from younger generations and marginalized communities. She emphasizes the importance of reaching out to high schools and colleges to raise awareness about career opportunities in lighting and design, particularly among women and people of color. By championing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, AJ aims to dismantle barriers and create a more equitable playing field for aspiring lighting professionals. Both AJ and Kaylene are committed to leveraging WILD's platform to spark meaningful conversations, drive industrywide transformation, and ultimately shape a future where everyone, regardless of background or identity, feels empowered to pursue a career in lighting and design. Through their unwavering dedication and forward-thinking leadership, AJ and Kaylene are paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for women in the lighting industry.