David is deeply involved in lighting design through professional and personal pursuits, as well as his work with associations. He attributes his passion and approach to his mentor, Candy Kling, with whom he worked directly for 14 years and succeeded as President of CM KLING + ASSOCIATES. His architectural lighting design portfolio includes national and international projects in hospitality, corporate, residential, government, religious, convention centers, and mixed-use. The 2U Headquarters in Lanham, MD and American Greetings Headquarters in Cleveland, OH received lighting design awards in 2018. David served as the IALD President from 2018 to 2019, and he has held various positions in the organization, including President Elect, Treasurer, and Director-at-Large. He is also involved in the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), serving on its Hospitality Committee. Presently, he serves as the treasurer/secretary on the board of directors for Business of Light. The newly established Certification of Lighting Designers is the first internationally-recognized, evidenced-based certification for professional lighting designers and, in 2017, David was the 29th professional to receive CLD Certification. David continues to design scenery and lighting for local productions. He’s a company member with the Rorschach Theatre, where his work has been nominated for a Helen Hayes Award.

As a leader in the architectural lighting industry, Angelica Santana has served as one of the youngest District Chairs for IES District III, and past DC Section President. She has led award winning lighting projects including 7th Street Pier in DC, Javits NYC Convention Center, Las Vegas Convention Center, and more, as Senior Associate at CM KLING.

In 2020 she founded Union Yoga Wellness for Lighting – to provide a way to blend the health benefits of light and mindfulness. Angelica enjoys teaching and speaking on the principals of lighting and illumination engineering, and has been featured on podcasts, industry conference panels, and print publications. She is a Pennsylvania State University graduate and continuing contributor to the student community.

Angelica is a registered Certified Lighting Designer (CLD) and a professional IALD member of the International Association of Lighting Designers.  In 2014, LD+A magazine featured her as a leaders in the lighting design emerging professional community. Angelica's lighting design and project management portfolio includes hospitality, sports, government, civic and residential projects. After graduation from Penn State, Angelica moved to New York City where she worked with Cline Bettridge Bernstein Lighting Design on a variety of international projects. Angelica joined CM KLING + ASSOCIATES in 2013 and leads the in-house mindfulness and wellness through light + yoga initiative.

Ashley joined CM KLING + ASSOCIATES after graduating from The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelors in Architectural Engineering, focus in lighting and electrical design. Ashley is involved in organizations and industry associations, including the current Secretary for the IES DC Chapter. While a student, she was the IES Penn State Chapter Vice President, the SSAE House Head & Secretary, and member of the G.R.E.A.T. Program (Growing Regional Engineering through Academics & Training). Her volunteerism supported social networking, professional networking, and mentoring programs for engineering students at Penn State. Ashley lives in Northern Virginia and spends her time between the local kickball league, exploring Washington DC, and Penn State football games.

Brian's expertise is in lighting controls and systems programming with a background in theater, dance, opera, museum exhibitions, hospitality, and convention centers. His architectural lighting design portfolio includes Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, AZ; Memphis Convention Center in Memphis, TN; Element Skysong Hotel in Scottsdale, AZ; and M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD (home of the NFL Baltimore Ravens). His theatre lighting design portfolio includes award-nominated lighting designs took stage at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Theater, New Victory Theater, Ailey Citigroup Theater, and the CityDance Center at Strathmore. And his museum and exhibit lighting design portfolio includes over 100 exhibits for private and national museums.

Ben has a strong background in the theatrical and event production industries. Prior to his recent venture into architectural design, Ben held a variety of roles ranging from lighting and projection design to audio and video tech. His focus shifted toward architectural design as a freelance technician with CMK's sister company, Pixelumen Lab, before joining the team at CM KLING.

In his theatrical work, Ben focuses on the integration of lighting with physical and auditory environments to enhance a production’s narrative. This interest in the mesh of artistic and technical elements drives him to explore how the coordination of lighting and other systems in the architectural world can curate user experience.

Daniel Velez joined CM KLING + ASSOCIATES in 2015 as a consultant to assist David in refining the accounting system. As the firm expanded, the need for a finance director arose, leading to Daniel's appointment.
With a background spanning accounting, modeling, database development, and reporting, Daniel brings diverse finance expertise to the team. Originally from the Dominican Republic, he was raised in NW DC and currently resides in Lincoln, NE.

Jeff is a designer with 13+ years of experience and a knack for sustainable design building practices utilizing new technologies. His lighting design and project management portfolio includes commercial high-rise offices, residential, hospitality, educational facilities, and other specialized spaces.

While in New York City, he worked for Cline Bettridge Bernstein Lighting Design where he managed multiple high-priority projects. He is also an educator at the New York School for Interior Design where he has taught courses in studio-based lighting design for the BFA, MFA, and MPS programs. Before designing architectural lighting and spaces, Jeff began his career in theatrical lighting where the experience has greatly informed his design process.

He has served on the Board of Managers for the NYC section of the Illuminating Engineering Society, as well as the section’s co-chair for the Education Committee. In 2018 Jeff was featured twice in Lighting Design Magazine’s 40under40 on the international and North American list.

Ketryna Fares is a Lebanese designer with extensive experience in New York and Florida, dedicated to transforming spaces through light. Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA) in Beirut and an MFA in Lighting Design from Parsons The New School in New York. Her academic background enriches her ability to create impactful environments that balance form, function, and experience. This dual expertise allows her to approach projects with both creative insight and technical precision, ensuring thoughtful design solutions that align with client goals.

Ketryna’s portfolio includes luxury hospitality, residential, cultural, corporate, and aviation projects, with a focus on enhancing aesthetics and functionality. Her work has been recognized with AIA, IALD, IES, and NYC PDC awards, reflecting her commitment to design excellence.

Passionate about collaboration, Ketryna fosters open communication and shared vision, encouraging teamwork to achieve successful project outcomes. She actively contributes to the lighting community, having volunteered with the IALD and IES, and currently supports the Business of Light by developing marketing strategies that promote industry education.

Driven by curiosity, Ketryna continues to explore the relationship between light, movement, scale, and social behavior, using these insights to create spaces that connect with people and elevate their experiences.

Saskia's journey with lighting began in high school theater and progressed through Marlboro College, where she earned a degree in Design and Production for Theater and Film. With 12 years of experience as a lighting designer and production stage manager, she pursued her MA in Exhibition Design at George Washington University, completing it in May 2022. Now part of CM KLING + ASSOCIATES, Saskia aims to prioritize accessibility in her designs, striving to create spaces that are comfortable and usable for everyone.

Veronica is a Senior Lighting Designer with over eight years of experience, bringing a strong foundation in architecture and advanced training in lighting design. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Lima and a Master’s degree in Lighting Design from the New York School of Interior Design. Her academic background informs a thoughtful approach that balances creative exploration with technical precision, resulting in lighting solutions that enhance both form and function.

During her graduate studies, Veronica received multiple honors, including the IESNYC Student Competition for a dining table luminaire designed to mitigate glare from phone flash in low-light restaurant environments. She was also awarded the IESNYC Thesis Award for Playful Layers: Children’s Home, a project exploring multi-sensory environments that blend functionality with playful engagement.

Veronica began her career in Lima, Peru, where she worked across retail, religious, healthcare, and commercial projects, developing a versatile and well-rounded design perspective. In 2023, she expanded her practice to the United States, further broadening her experience across project types and markets. She joined CM KLING + ASSOCIATES in early 2026.

She approaches lighting as an integral element of architecture, using it to shape human-centered environments that support visual comfort, clarity, and meaningful user experiences.

Tyler brings a sharp eye for design and a strategic approach to storytelling in his role as Marketing Manager at CM KLING + ASSOCIATES. With a background in fashion and visual arts and a deep understanding of the AEC industry, he leads the firm’s marketing and communications efforts, including proposals, branding, digital content, and industry outreach. Known for his clarity, adaptability, and collaborative spirit, Tyler helps position the firm’s work with intention and impact, ensuring each message reflects the creativity and precision that define CM KLING’s lighting design.
Looking to collaborate with CMK on your next project? Get in touch with Tyler here.
 
 

Aronda Martell holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico and a Master’s degree in Lighting Design from the New York School of Interior Design, with a focus on architectural lighting. Her background informs a strong understanding of space, materiality, and user experience, shaping her approach to lighting design.

She received an Honorable Mention in the IESNYC Student Lighting Competition for her project Glare Guard, which explored solutions to reduce visual discomfort while maintaining performance and safety. Aronda contributes to projects across retail, hospitality, and immersive environments, supporting the development of layered lighting strategies that enhance both function and atmosphere, with a growing interest in lighting for dynamic and marine environments.

As a lighting designer, she believes in the ability to enhance everyday life, create intentional environments, and leave a lasting impact on people. To her, lighting is a form of magic—and she is dedicated to bringing that magic to life.

Meg earned her Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Design from James Madison University and began her career as an interior designer in the commercial architecture industry. Over seven years in interiors, she worked across federal government, workplace, and higher education sectors, developing a strong foundation in space planning, material selection, and the coordination of built projects.

In 2025, Meg joined CM KLING + ASSOCIATES, where she transitioned into lighting design. She brings a practical understanding of how spaces are detailed, constructed, and experienced, informing lighting decisions that respond to materials, finishes, and real-world project constraints.
Meg is passionate about creating accessible environments that support how people move, interact, and use space. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog, reading, playing video games, crafting, and exploring new restaurants.

Formally trained as an Architect, Maria has 20 years of experience in Lighting Design. She graduated with a BFA in Architecture from Catholic University of America and attended the MFA Lighting Program at Parsons. Born in Puerto Rico, she spent a decade in the United States, working with renowned Lighting Design firms such as HLB Lighting Design and Brandston Partnership. In 2010, Maria relocated to Mexico, collaborating with notable local design firms like Avant-Garde Lighting Design, Artec3, and Ideas en Luz.

Enthusiastic and natural leader, Maria has been actively involved in the lighting community, serving as the IALD Regional Coordinator for three years and participating in the Enlighten Americas Membership Committee. Her passion for light stems from its unique ability to transform the perception of space and influence user behavior. Maria has worked on a diverse array of projects, from high-end residential and hospitality to corporate interiors. Notably, she spent three years as the Regional Lighting Manager for WeWork, where she designed and oversaw over 2 million square feet of office space across 178 projects in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico.

Maria joined the CM Kling + Associates team in 2021, bringing her expertise and local insights to expand operations in Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Since founding the local CDMX office a little over three years ago, she has emphasized community, support, and local expertise as the core values of her growing team. This focus has fostered a collaborative environment where team members can thrive and deliver outstanding service to both local and foreign clients. 

Jessica is a devoted, detail-oriented, and experienced designer whose passion resonates throughout her projects, from the overall ambiance to the smallest detail. She earned her Architecture Degree from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City and further honed her skills by obtaining a Master’s in Lighting Design from IED Istituto Europeo di Design, Madrid Campus, where her enthusiasm for Lighting Design flourished. In her quest for knowledge, she also holds several associate Degrees in Lighting and Interior Design. Jessica has collaborated with local firms such as L+F, Ideas en Luz, Zinser Studio, and Mantenimiento Arquitectónico Integral, before establishing her own firm, CC Blank.

In 2022, she joined CM Kling + Associates as a Design Manager. Her diverse portfolio includes residential, corporate, exterior / landscape, and hospitality projects, with a particular passion for hospitality and high-end residential design. Jessica is committed to revealing the unique essence of each project, ensuring that light is the core element that brightens and enlivens every space through meticulous attention to detail.

Isabel is an Architect with 10 years of experience in lighting design. Her thirst for knowledge led her to pursue a Master's Degree in Interior Design from Universidad Anáhuac in Mexico City, in addition to holding an Architecture Degree and Associate's Degrees in Color and Lighting Design from Universidad Anáhuac and attending the International Architecture Workshop in Cartagena at Andes University. Her professional career includes Project Management and Design roles at Grupo MAI, Construlita, and Ideas en Luz, as well as her entrepreneurial venture of opening a natural products store.

With over a decade as a Lighting Design manager, Isabel has worked on a diverse range of projects, including residential, commercial, hospitality, and exteriors. Upon joining CM Kling + Associates she brings along her expertise that encompasses design, specification, project execution management, sourcing and procuring installation, and construction supervision. Isabel is passionate about transforming spaces through indirect light, skillfully emphasizing and integrating lighting with architecture to create harmonious environments.  Her enthusiasm and attention to detail are further enhanced by her extensive experience in Construction Administration and Controls, ensuring the seamless execution of concepts throughout the process.

Daniela brings over 15 years of professional experience to architectural lighting design, grounded in a formal education in architecture. Raised between Mexico City and Chihuahua, she earned her degree in Architecture from the Tecnológico de Chihuahua, where her studies emphasized sustainable, regionally responsive design. Her path into lighting design emerged through hands-on work in film set environments, which shaped her understanding of light as both a technical and experiential element within the built environment.

She holds a Master’s degree in Architectural Lighting Design from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. Daniela’s professional experience includes the design and coordination of interior and exterior architectural lighting systems across a wide range of applications, including hospitality, workplace, educational, industrial, and entertainment environments. Her work spans façade and site lighting, public and amenity spaces, performance and feature lighting, and integrated lighting control strategies, contributing to projects of varied scale, complexity, and technical demands. Her design approach focuses on the integration of performance, advanced technologies, and contemporary design strategies, applied with consideration for both client objectives and environmental responsibility. Through collaborative, interdisciplinary processes, Daniela develops lighting solutions that are refined, technically sound, and aligned with the overall architectural intent.