Member of the Month

March 2022

Dorothy Underwood
LC, Associate IALD, LEED AP BD+C, MIES
Senior Associate
KGM Architectural Lighting

Q: How did you first get started in the lighting industry?
I went to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and graduated in 2014 with a B.Arch and an M.S. in Architectural Sciences with a concentration in Lighting. RPI has two different lighting groups – the Lighting Research Center (LRC), and the Lighting Enabled Systems and Applications Center (LESA). I started working with LESA on retrofitting a main lecture hall with LEDs as part of a sustainability effort for the campus and convinced them to not only focus on energy savings, but aesthetics as well. It was while working on this project that I first realized the power of light to shape the way one sees a space. We were able to turn the creepy lower levels of the lecture building into a much more pleasant environment just by looking at the properties of the LED lamps we retrofitted the building with. After that I started taking lighting classes at the LRC and fell in love with the lighting industry.

Q: How did you first get involved in the IESNYC?
I had been going to events and lectures for years before I officially joined. I think the first event I went to shortly after I graduated RPI and moved to New York City was when one of my friends, Kassandra Gonzales (RPI) was one of the 2015 IESNYC Thesis Award winners, so I went to her presentation, and after that attended more and more events. At a certain point I just realized, why on earth am I not a member?

Q: How do you see your role as a member of the IESNYC?
I think it is two-fold. At first it was to be a sponge and soak up all the information and great resources that I could. While I will never stop doing that, I am now more entrenched in the second aspect, which is to help with the evolution of the industry. Participating in lectures and panels, collaborating with researchers, and giving feedback to manufacturers all help push the boundaries of where we currently are, and drives the industry to a healthier and more sustainable future. In addition to my work at KGM, I am also a professor at the School of Visual Arts (SVA), where I challenge the students to think about these things for their future practice. I’m also a member of WILD, and the IALD Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Research (DEIR) exploratory task group, which are great and inspiring groups trying to move us forward as well.

Q: In your opinion, what are the best assets of the IESNYC?
All of the great events! Between the fun things like Moonlighting and the Student Lighting Competition, and the educational and thoughtful seminars, there are so many things to choose from.