The New Normal of Lighting in Interior Spaces
Whether it’s implementing UV germicidal lighting or disinfecting air flow, lighting will play a significant role as commercial buildings reopen during and after the pandemic.
Learn more from industry experts Tanya Hernandez and Cheryl English from Acuity Brands about how to capitalize on these innovative solutions as well as take advantage of strategic tax credits to help fund these upgrades.
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Meet our guests:
Tanya Hernandez, Director of Government & Industry Relations
Tanya has worked in diverse areas of lighting, including serving as ICF International’s technical lead on specification development for the EPA ENERGY STAR Lighting Program. She has also designed architectural and public art lighting design projects utilizing energy-efficient sources and lighting control technologies in her role as an electrical engineer and lighting designer at Colorlume and HART Design Group. In addition, she has certified countless lighting products and authored construction and performance specifications for LED luminaires in her role as a certification engineer at Underwriters Laboratories.
Tanya’s passion for lighting is demonstrated in her presentations at various venues including the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Annual Conference, Lightfair International, and the World Energy Engineering Congress. Tanya is an active member of the IES, has served three terms as President of the Raleigh Section, and several years as a member of the Testing Procedures Committee.
Cheryl English, VP of Government and Industry Relations, Acuity Brands
Cheryl currently serves as Past President for the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and has been active in the Society for over 37 years. She is a Fellow in the IES as well as a recipient of their Distinguished Service Award. Cheryl serves on the Board of Managers for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association and received the NEMA Kite and Key Award recognizing her contributions to advancing interests of the electrical industry. She is a past board member of the National Institute for Building Sciences.
Cheryl completed her Masters of Business Administration degree in the Georgia State University Executive MBA program. She earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Architectural Engineering with an option in Illumination and Electrical Systems at the University of Colorado.
About the Author
Robert Nieminen
Chief Content Director
Chief Content Director, Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources
Robert Nieminen is the Chief Content Director of three leading B2B publications serving the commercial architecture and design industries: Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources. With a career rooted in editorial excellence and a passion for storytelling, Robert oversees a diverse content portfolio that spans award-winning feature articles, strategic podcast programming, and digital media initiatives aimed at empowering design professionals, facility managers, and commercial building stakeholders.
He is the host of the I Hear Design podcast and curates the Smart Buildings Technology Report, bringing thought leadership to the forefront of innovation in built environments. Robert leads editorial and creative direction for multiple industry award programs—including the Elev8 Design Awards and Product Innovation Awards—and is a recognized voice in sustainability, smart technology integration, and forward-thinking design.
Known for his sharp editorial vision and data-informed strategies, Robert focuses on audience growth, engagement, and content monetization, leveraging AI tools and SEO-driven insights to future-proof B2B publishing.