2025–26 Guiding Lights Wrapup: More Inclusive with More Events
When the second cycle of the Guiding Lights Circle closed in June 2026, the required meetings ended. The relationships, by all accounts, did not. And the numbers reveal the program’s ongoing momentum. Thirteen mentor-mentee pairs completed the nine-month program, and the participant mix widened beyond lighting designers to include manufacturers and representatives. In a sign of the program's pull, several more-senior designers asked to join as mentees, looking for the same honest conversation and career perspective the program offers emerging professionals.
Completely run by the volunteer committee, Guiding Lights Circle pairs seasoned lighting professionals with those earlier in their careers. For IESNYC Mentorship Committee Chair Jean Jacques, the payoff is simple: "It's watching meaningful relationships develop between people who may not have otherwise crossed paths, and seeing those connections continue to grow long after the program officially ends."
Participants commit to monthly one-on-one meetings, most held in person, and this year the committee added two new supporting events along with check-ins over the course of the program. The premise is simple, the effects are not. "As our discussions progressed, I realized that some of my professional aspirations were different from what I truly wanted to pursue," one mentee reflected, "and that has been incredibly valuable to me.
Supporting programming
The 2025–26 cycle again kicked off with a meet-and-greet that brought all participants together with committee members to walk through the program's structure and expectations. At the same time, they were sizing each other up. Mentees left the event with the chance to submit a wish list of mentors, which the committee weighed during the pairing process. The care shows: "It was clear that a great deal of thought went into the participant experience," one mentor observed, "and I believe the program provides meaningful value to both mentors and mentees."
Once the program was underway, Amy Bonder, Chief Commercial Officer at Luminii, led a professional development session on building and communicating your personal brand. Participants worked through a hands-on exercise: understanding what branding does for a career, drafting an authentic brand statement, and putting it to work.
A second, midwinter panel gathered professionals from across the lighting supply chain to compare career paths and field questions in an open, conversational setting. For mentees, it was a chance to see how the industry's roles intersect and consider where their own paths might lead. One mentee described the cumulative effect of that widened view: "I discovered nuances that I haven't thought about, which have now been shaping me as a designer."
The closing event in June gave the group one last official gathering, anchored by featured speaker Katie O'Malley, founder of (en)Courage Coaching. O'Malley, an executive and leadership coach (who advised the committee during the program's development), led a discussion on communication, leadership, self-awareness, and the power of listening.
The listening runs both ways. Mentors consistently pointed to the relationship itself (beyond any advising or storytelling) as the primary reward. "The most valuable aspect was building a genuine relationship with my mentee and watching their confidence grow over the course of the program," said one. Another described an arc of progress: "At the conclusion of our process, my mentee gained confidence, was proud of the accomplishments gained, and had an outlined path forward."
FOMO?
Word of mouth is already doing the recruiting for the next cycle of the program. "I have been telling my colleagues and other lighting designers how great this mentorship program has been," one mentee remarked, "and they are excited to apply for this year."
The IESNYC credits the program's success to the mentors, mentees, event hosts, and supporters who gave their time, energy, and insights across the cycle. Deep appreciation goes to the Mentorship–Guiding Lights Circle Committee members: Nathalie Faubert, Brigid Hardiman, Francesca Bastianini, Ryan Raica-Scallan, Jessie Frias, and Shoshanna Segal; and Jean Jaques as Chair.
Applications for the 2026–27 cycle are open July 6 through August 21, with the program running from mid-September through early June 2027. Past mentees are welcome to attend any 2026–27 professional growth programming as program alumni, and returning mentors are encouraged to continue participating and building their networks.
Details and applications can be found at iesnyc.org/mentorship
