7 minute read
Five Years Later
from Aug 2025
HLB Lighting Design Reflects on Growth, Legacy, and What Comes Next
By Randy Reid
Cover Photo: Dynamic lighting reimagines Montreal’s Sun Life Building, honoring its history while transforming the landmark into a contemporary civic beacon. Photo credit: HLB Lighting Design.
Five years ago, in the inaugural issue of designing lighting (dl), I interviewed Carrie Hawley, then co-CEO of HLB Lighting Design, and Barbara Horton for a cover story titled “25 Years in the Making: The HLB Transition Plan.” That article explored their leadership shift and the firm’s commitment to building a legacy. Today, Barbara has fully retired. Carrie now serves as CEO, and Teal Brogden is HLB’s President. Both are Senior Principals.
As we mark our fifth anniversary, I connected with them to reflect on what’s changed since 2020—and much has, both within HLB and across the industry.
“Where do we start?” Carrie replied. And for good reason. From industry evolution to internal milestones, HLB’s journey continues to reflect an unwavering commitment to collaboration, thoughtful leadership, and purpose.
A Changing Industry Landscape
Carrie began by observing the expansion of lighting design itself. New firms and global markets continue to emerge, while others have gone through transitions or acquisitions. The very definition of a lighting designer is evolving, especially as the IALD recently amended its code of ethics to allow for fixture procurement, a major shift in professional standards.
“The number of people who consider themselves lighting designers has grown beyond what we used to define as a traditional IALD designer,” Carrie said. “It’s an exciting time, but it’s also a time of change.”
Teal echoed the sentiment, noting a newfound sense of global connectedness within the design community. “COVID taught us how to work across time zones and build meaningful relationships through screens. Now the industry isn’t just centered around New York. It’s truly global.”
HLB’s Internal Evolution
HLB’s external growth has been matched by its internal expansion. In early 2025, the firm surpassed 150 employees, maintaining its position as one of the largest independent lighting design firms in the world. They’ve launched studios in Miami, Denver, Dubai, Chicago, and Montreal and merged with three independent lighting design firms since 2018: Illumination Arts, 186 Lighting Design Group, and CS Design.
Carrie emphasized that these weren’t acquisitions. “Words matter,” she said. “We merge. We don’t acquire. We’re intentional about building relationships.”
Legacy Structure and Leadership
Carrie and Teal are deeply committed to HLB’s legacy structure, designed to empower the next generation. Today, HLB has a leadership team of 15 Principals and 15 Directors. But beyond titles, the firm encourages ownership and mentorship at every level.
“With our open-book leadership approach, we encourage our entire team to think like owners,” Teal said. “Having a stake means you care more deeply. And it helps people build financial resilience and leadership skills.”
Carrie reflected on her own journey, crediting Barbara Horton and Stephen Lees for creating the roadmap. “We were mentored and trusted. Now it’s our turn to invest in others.”
Cross-Office Collaboration at Scale
Perhaps the most striking transformation over the past five years is how seamlessly HLB has transitioned from a firm with distinct studios into a unified, collaborative global entity.
“Ten years ago, we were one company with individual studios,” Carrie said. “Now, we’re one integrated firm that collaborates daily across studios, countries, and time zones.”
Teal shared a recent example involving a major project with team members from Dubai, Spain, and New York. “It’s like a relay race,” she explained. “We pass the baton across time zones. We have five zones covered on this project, and we meet twice a day to align.”
This model has also benefited from the increased mobility of staff. Team members who began in one office have relocated and brought their experience to new teams, cross-pollinating knowledge and strengthening cohesion.
“In the old days, a team in New York might never interact with a team in Denver,” Teal said. “Now, collaboration is fluid, and it’s made us better.”
The New York Anchor and Marketing Muscle
HLB’s New York studio remains a vital anchor. Located on 32nd Street between Park and Madison, it houses more than 40 team members, many of whom work in-person daily. It’s a deeply physical office that serves as a creative hub, knowledge base, and cultural heartbeat for the broader firm.
“New York City is special,” Carrie said. “It’s where we work, mentor, and build community. Our studio there remains one of our most active.”
Another standout development is HLB’s ten-person marketing team, a rarity for a lighting design firm. Most firms in the industry rely on one or two marketing staff at most, often wearing multiple hats. HLB’s dedicated team handles branding, communication, client engagement, and internal culture-building.
“This team doesn’t just manage proposals,” Carrie noted. “They tell our story, shape our voice, and help connect our people across the globe. It’s a huge investment. And it’s worth it.”
Technology, AI, and the Human Element
As with every design discipline, artificial intelligence is making its way into lighting. While both leaders see potential, they remain cautious.
“AI is a tool that needs governance,” Carrie explained. “Firms have to decide how it’s used, who has access, and how to protect proprietary information. You can’t just go rogue with it.”
Teal emphasized that AI can accelerate workflows, but it can’t replace human insight. “In the end, it’s our job to interpret, contextualize, and bring emotional intelligence to lighting design. AI can help, but it can’t lead.”
Weekly Town Halls
HLB’s weekly all-staff town halls remain a vital part of its culture. The sessions include design crosstalk, cultural holiday spotlights, company updates, and breakout work groups.
“It’s staff-driven,” Teal noted. “Not principals. That makes the programming more meaningful.”
Carrie added that anyone can join a work group, even someone hired last week. “It’s an open door. These gatherings help us stay connected across studios and time zones.”
Procurement Conversations
Given the IALD’s recent bylaw changes, I asked about HLB’s stance on procurement. While they’ve explored the idea, it’s not yet part of their business model.
“We’d be naive not to consider it,” Carrie said. “But our firm is complex, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.”
Teal confirmed, “We might help a client occasionally, but procurement isn’t a core practice.”
Paths to Leadership, Open to All
When I asked about women in leadership, Carrie acknowledged the current reality: the CEO, President, and COO roles are all held by women, as are a majority of principal roles. But this wasn’t planned.
“It’s not by design,” she said. “We’ve had women in leadership here for decades, and that naturally attracted others. But our team includes everyone—men, women, non-binary people, all backgrounds. Leadership isn’t about fitting a mold.”
Planning for the Future
Carrie and Teal, with the whole firm at their back, are leading HLB through a 10-year strategic plan. A recent internal review showed strong progress across key focus areas.
“We’re excited,” Carrie said. “Planning and collaboration have helped us get here. And in-person connection still matters—whether it’s studio work, industry events, or team retreats. We’re designing for human interaction, after all.”
Their commitment to legacy is as strong as ever. Barbara Horton and Stephen Lees, now living part-time in a small village in Tuscany, Italy, continue to serve as inspirations and cheerlead from afar. “They’re living the dream,” Carrie said. “And showing us how to exit gracefully.”
Final Reflections
As the interview wrapped, Teal summed up the spirit of the firm. “We still love what we do. Light is transformative. We work with passionate people, internally and externally, and we feel like we’re making a difference.”
Carrie added, “We’ve fleshed out our why. And that keeps us grounded. It’s about more than design. It’s about impact.”
Five years after our original article, HLB continues to embody what a lighting design firm can be: globally engaged, internally intentional, and driven by purpose. The light they cast reaches far beyond architecture. It’s a reflection of the culture and vision they continue to build.
