ARE YOU WILD?
Lauren with USC Architecture students and volunteers at the 2022 exterior lighting demo at the University Park Campus.
Lauren and Dean Patrick E. Johnson of the Northwestern School of Communication at an alumni event at the Getty Villa.
Many of her role models were men whose time was not divided in the same way, leading her to wish there were more women entrepreneurs with similar family dynamics that she could seek advice from. The societal expectations placed on women to manage household responsibilities, care for children, maintain personal health, and still excel professionally add layers of stress and complexity to her role. Lauren’s partnership with Nick required open conversations about these inequalities, ensuring he understood that her contributions might look different but were equally valuable. This acknowledgment and adjustment have been crucial in navigating the intersection of professional aspirations and personal responsibilities.
Sharing Her Love of Lighting Despite these challenges, Lauren has made significant strides in her career. Over the past twelve years, Lauren has used her role as an adjunct faculty member in the architectural design program at the University of Southern California (USC) to reach many generations of students and increase knowledge of the lighting design profession. In her classes, Lauren emphasizes the significance of lighting as a critical component of architectural design, aiming to instill a deep appreciation for the discipline. She describes her role as twofold: introducing students to the existence and importance of lighting design and encouraging them to consider it as a valuable consultancy service. Her pedagogy involves not only theoretical knowledge but also
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designing lighting