On Tuesday, I joined the inaugural Women in Lighting + Design (WILD) Fireside Chat—a refreshing, off-the-cuff conversation featuring WILD Programs Chair Lois Hutcherson and President Alessa Aguayo. While the format was casual, the dialogue delivered meaningful insights and a clear reminder of the crucial role WILD plays in shaping our industry.
Lois Hutcherson: From Bartender to Mentor-in-Chief
Lois Hutcherson’s journey with WILD began at the heart of a networking event—behind the bar. “If you ever get the opportunity to be behind the bar at one of these networking events, absolutely take advantage of it,” she laughed. “You meet everybody.”
Today, Hutcherson serves as National Programs Chair and has been instrumental in developing WILD’s mentorship program. What began informally has grown into a structured, cross-city initiative supporting nearly 80 participants. Her passion for education and connection is evident, rooted in a lifelong love of learning that she now shares with her own children—one studying classical trumpet, the other pursuing music business at UCLA.
Hutcherson’s dedication to bridging geographic and experiential gaps within the industry is at the core of her work. She champions peer-to-peer support and takes pride in helping others navigate their careers. “I helped someone out, and I came out of that call dancing around my kitchen,” she recalled, illustrating how giving back is its own reward.
Alessa Aguayo: Lighting a Path Through Advocacy
In a conversation led by Sara Schonour, WILD President Alessa Aguayo shared her inspiring and nontraditional path into the lighting world. With nearly 15 years in both distribution and manufacturing, Alessa now leads as Director of Sales at Lumenworks in New York City while also serving as President of WILD.
Aguayo’s academic background lies not in lighting or architecture, but in Social Justice and Inquiry—she once dreamed of becoming a forensic pathologist. Her passion for sustainability led her to a role in energy-efficient lighting, and the industry soon became her professional home. Raised in rural Arizona, her commitment to advocacy, community, and equity continues to shape her leadership today.
The discussion highlighted her strengths in public speaking, her love of floristry and the outdoors, and the importance of creating space for underrepresented voices. Aguayo’s story is a testament to how diverse backgrounds can enrich the lighting profession and fuel inclusive, purpose-driven leadership.
A Conversation That Continues
The WILD Fireside Chat wrapped with a Q&A session, where Lois explained how she learned the technical aspects of lighting by editing LD+A—reading each issue multiple times over seven years—and emphasized the importance of making lighting technology approachable while honoring the art of design.
To close, attendees were encouraged to get involved—whether by joining the mentorship committee, serving as a cohort liaison, or applying to participate in the next mentorship round launching this fall. As the event made clear, WILD’s strength lies in its collective energy, and there are many ways to be part of the movement.