Jeffrey Sladen

Founding Partner | Principal Emeritus

LC, AIA

With an accomplished career that has spanned more than four decades, Jeffrey is one of the firm’s founding partners. Originally trained as an Architect, he learned early on that lighting could be used to not only embrace the design vision, but also dramatically enhance it. “I remember saying of course I’ll help with lighting, but I don’t want to lose my focus on architecture. Six months later I knew that lighting design would be my lifetime career.” Since then, Jeffrey has collaborated with world-renowned architects on both historic spaces and new construction, often tasked with integrating fresh and modern with standard and traditional. His projects have been honored with awards from the American Institute of Architects, the Illuminating Engineering Society, and local preservation organizations; his work has also been featured in industry publications like Architectural Record, Architect Magazine, and LED’s Magazine. Jeffrey is a member of the IES, Designers Lighting Forum of New England, and Boston Society of Architects.

jeffrey@sladenfeinstein.com

Kathy Poirier

Accounting

Kathy joined the firm in 2012 and handles all its bookkeeping. She has more than 20 years of experience and working knowledge of accounting principles and software and is a graduate of Northeastern University.

kathy@sladenfeinstein.com

Katelyn Cotter

Marketing Consultant

Katelyn has provided marketing support for SFIL since 2014, managing social media, photography coordination, advertising, budgeting, and assisting with business development. She has been working in the AEC industry for 20 years, collaborating with designers, architects, contractors, and photographers. Katelyn holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and has been a guest lecturer at Boston University, the Boston Society of Architects and the Society of Marketing Professional Services.

katelyn@sladenfeinstein.com

Ethan Jones

Lighting Designer

Ethan joined SFIL in 2022 as our newest Lighting Designer, bringing nearly a decade of experience in theatrical lighting design for venues across the nation. He has taught at Dean College, Texas State University and at The Company Theatre in Norwell, MA, mentoring students in theatrical design and stage production lighting. Ethan holds a Masters of Professional Studies in Lighting from the New York School of Interior Design and a Master of Fine Arts in Lighting Design from Texas State University. At SFIL, Ethan is an integral team member for various projects and brings a unique and fresh voice to the firm.

ethan@sladenfeinstein.com

Peter Wright

Senior Lighting Designer

LC

Peter joined SFIL in 2021 as a lighting designer and was named Senior Lighting Designer in 2023. His experience includes lighting design and visualization for commercial offices and life science facilities, sports venues and academic institutions among other space types. Peter earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder where he studied lighting and electrical systems. Peter’s educational background and industry experience brings the combination of both the technical and artistic elements of lighting design to the firm.

peter@sladenfeinstein.com

Kranthi Sala

Senior Lighting Designer

LC, WELL AP, LEED Green Associate, IES

As an artist and a dancer, Kranthi believes in expressive design that is both beautiful and functional. She holds two Master Degrees, one in Interior Architecture and one Biotechnology which allows her to design spaces that promote human well-being through light. Kranthi's design experience includes academic buildings, commercial offices, fitness centers, and hospitality spaces. She is also proficient in disinfecting lighting technologies and has led SFIL in disseminating this knowledge to the industry by co-authoring materials for and co-teaching a seminar taught to various architectural firms. Kranthi is a 2016 DLF scholarship recipient to visit Light + Building in Germany and a Faculty Member at New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University.

kranti@sladenfeinstein.com

Melissa Mattes

Senior Lighting Designer | Sustainability Specialist

LC, LFA, Assoc. IALD, LEED Green Assoc.

Melissa divides her time between architectural lighting design and sustainable manufacturing consulting. As the leader of SFIL’s sustainability efforts, Melissa is continually curious about the relationship between architecture, the human experience and what it means to embody space. In addition to lighting design, Melissa consults with manufacturers on sustainable product development and provides internal educational training for staff.  Her design activism for material ingredient reporting of luminaire specifications stems from a personal endeavor to find greater alignment between her practiced values first at home, and now in the workplace. Melissa has taught lighting design for the RISD CE program, was named one of Lighting Magazine’s international 40 under 40 in 2020, and currently co-chairs the IES Sustainable Lighting Committee. She is a frequent speaker at national conferences and her influence can be followed on stage, film, magazine, podcast, and TV.

mel@sladenfeinstein.com

Carol Williams

Associate

LC, IES, LEED Green Associate

Carol joined the firm in 2015 upon receiving her Master’s Degree in Interior Architecture and Design from The New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University and was named Associate in 2023. Prior to joining the firm, she sought a career change, adapting her graphic design background and experience working in the newspaper business to the AEC industry. Carol excels at integrating the technical aspects of lighting design—like controls, installation, and mounting details—with creative solutions for complex projects. Her work on retail, multi-family residences, corporate spaces, academic institutions, and historical buildings has been honored with industry awards and accolades, reconfirming her commitment to helping clients understand the importance of lighting and its enlivening benefits to a space.

carol@sladenfeinstein.com

Jennifer Bean

Senior Lighting Designer | Controls Specialist

LC

Jennifer joined the firm in 2020 after 14 years at a Boston-based engineering firm, where she served as an Electrical Design Engineer, Project Manager, and Associate. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design from Endicott College and has an extensive understanding and experience of electrical engineering theory, electrical/energy codes, lighting, and controls in large commercial, residential and mixed use developments. Jennifer applies her technical knowledge from engineering to each design project, while her interior design background allows her to contribute to the design team’s aesthetic vision. Jennifer enjoys being involved with the lighting community and is on the board of managers of the Illuminating Engineering Society, Boston section.

jennifer@sladenfeinstein.com

Ben Strauss

Principal

LC, Assoc. IALD

Ben joined the firm in 2018 after nearly a decade at a nationally recognized lighting design firm in Michigan. He was named Principal in 2023. Ben views lighting as the final layer of the design process, enhancing the architecture and overall user experience. He brings an educational background in technical theatrical lighting to the SFIL team. This combined with his architectural lighting experience and interest in design, lighting controls and software technologies allows him to transform dated spaces into state-of-the art complexes. Ben brings his perspective on the technical aspects of design to the team and forges successful relationships with his clients. 

ben@sladenfeinstein.com

Reiko Kagawa

Principal

LC, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, WELL Faculty, Fitwel Ambassador

Reiko joined SFIL in the early stages of the company’s establishment and became a Principal in 2017. With an academic background in both architecture and interior design, she cherishes the beauty of architectural form and enjoys bringing life into each space through the use of light. “I love architectural lighting and how it can create a memorable user experience. I look at architecture as a musical score and lighting as the musical expression, such as dynamics or articulation that bring the music to life.” Knowing how powerful lighting can be, Reiko thrives on pushing its boundaries in a project’s vision, sustainable footprint, and occupant’s well-being. Her focus is on the holistic sustainable lighting design between different recommended practices and standards. Reiko is an advocate and educator on LEED and WELL, has presented at multiple conferences and has authored published papers. She has received many national lighting awards and in 2018, was named one of Lighting Magazine’s international class of “Top 40 Under 40” lighting designers.

reiko@sladenfeinstein.com

Julie Rose

Principal | Providence, RI Studio Leader

LC, IALD

Julie joined SFIL in 2002 as the firm’s first official employee and was named Principal in 2013. Over the years, she has led teams to create award-winning lighting designs for academic institutions, hospitality projects, commercial clients, religious organizations, museums, and libraries earning the highly regarded IES Award of Excellence. She also helms many business development efforts and provides both graphic design and marketing support. Julie is continually seeking design inspiration and is particularly passionate about world travel and experiencing other cultural traditions while pushing the boundaries of comfort. “Travel has shaped who I am as a designer, taught me not to fear difference and to take risks. It has had a profound influence on my life and my role as a lighting designer.” Julie holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the College of the Holy Cross, and an Master’s Degree in Interior Design from the New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University, where she served for 12 years as an Adjunct Faculty member for the Interior Design Department.

julie@sladenfeinstein.com

Josh Feinstein

Founding Partner | Principal

LC, IALD

One of the founding partners of the firm, Josh has been practicing lighting design since 1993. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History and an Master of Science in Interior Design, he enjoys drawing inspiration from all aspects of design, the arts and the natural world around us. “We are surrounded by an endlessly vast and spectacular world that we can tap into, challenging us to achieve a deeper connection within our design explorations to the benefit of our clients.” Since early in his career, Josh has had a passion for teaching, having taught the advanced lighting design studio at the New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University, as well as courses at the Boston Architectural College, Mount IDA and University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His extensive work in hospitality, life sciences, mixed use, academic, corporate, and residential projects have received honors and awards from the American Institute of Architects and its chapters, the Illumination Engineering Society, and a variety of national preservation organizations. Josh has led presentations and served on panels for national conferences and events including NeoCon, ABX, and Boston Lights, and was a recipient of a Mentor in Design Award from Design New England in 2018.

josh@sladenfeinstein.com