At its core, the 25 Most Influential People in Lighting 2025 is not an awards list. Instead, it is a reflection of real influence. That distinction mattered from the start.
According to Paul Pompeo, of Pompeo Group, who conceived the idea, the lighting industry already has strong programs that honor projects and products. However, influence is different. Influence shapes decisions, direction, and momentum. It affects people, not just outcomes.
Paul explained, “Choosing the right number was an early decision. Ten felt too small. One hundred felt unmanageable. Ultimately, 25 struck the right balance—large enough to be inclusive, yet focused enough to be meaningful.”
Equally important was the process. Instead of a single editor or organization making the decisions, a three-person committee guided the selections. The committee reflected key segments of the industry: Charles Stone from the design community, Nancy Stathes representing manufacturers, and Jean Jacques bringing the perspective of manufacturers’ representatives. Each committee member built an independent list before any names were compared.
From there, the list evolved. Conversations followed. Adjustments were made. In some cases, passionate debate sharpened the outcome. As a result, the final list became stronger with every revision.
Importantly, this was never meant to be a U.S.-centric view. Lighting is global. Therefore, the 25 Most Influential People in Lighting 2025 reflects voices and leadership from multiple regions around the world. Some names may be familiar. Others may not. That is intentional.
So what comes next?
On Monday, EdisonReport will publish the complete list, including deeper context around each honoree and why their influence stood out in 2025. If the early reaction is any indication, the conversation is just getting started.
Stay tuned.
