Originally launched in 2004, the Architectural Lighting Industry Exchange is meant as a forum between the magazine and its readers. Having spent the better part of 2011 conducting research for AL’s 25th Anniversary issue, of great importance were the numerous opportunities I had in which to speak with lighting designers and lighting industry professionals. That has always been one of the great privileges of this job and the longer I continue my work as editor I am reminded of all the people I have yet to speak with and all the people I’ve never had the opportunity to meet or talk with in depth. So, for the re-launch of the AL Industry Exchange question I ask you: If you could invite five people in lighting-alive or dead-to dinner for a memorable conversation, who would you invite? I know who I’d invite, and I’ll be posting my response to this question shortly. And as always, if there is a question or a topic you’d like to see posted, please let me know.
Elizabeth Donoff is Editor-at-Large of Architectural Lighting (AL). She served as Editor-in-Chief from 2006 to 2017. She joined the editorial team in 2003 and is a leading voice in the lighting community speaking at industry events such as Lightfair and the International Association of Lighting Designers Annual Enlighten Conference, and has twice served as a judge for the Illuminating Engineering Society New York City Section’s (IESNYC) Lumen Award program. In 2009, she received the Brilliance Award from the IESNYC for dedicated service and contribution to the New York City lighting community. Over the past 11 years, under her editorial direction, Architectural Lighting has received a number of prestigious B2B journalism awards. In 2017, Architectural Lighting was a Top Ten Finalist for Magazine of the Year from the American Society of Business Publication Editors' AZBEE Awards. In 2016, Donoff received the Jesse H. Neal Award for her Editor’s Comments in the category of Best Commentary/Blog, and in 2015, AL received a Jesse H. Neal Award for Best Media Brand (Overall Editorial Excellence).Prior to her entry into design journalism, Donoff worked in New York City architectural offices including FXFowle where she was part of the project teams for the Reuters Building at Three Times Square and the New York Times Headquarters. She is a graduate of Bates College in Lewiston, Me., and she earned her Master of Architecture degree from the School of Architecture at Washington University in St. Louis.
