Lightswitch announces Charles Foster’s promotion to Principal of Lightswitch’s New York Studio.
With Charles Foster as Principal and Howard Werner as Managing Director, Lightswitch New York will operate under joint leadership starting in 2025. This marks the first promotion under Lightswitch’s newly reorganized personnel structure, which divides leadership into two distinct roles: Principal (focused on design) and Managing Director (focused on operations).
Since joining Lightswitch in 2002, Foster has risen through the ranks of the organization. Working on a wide and impressive scope of projects worldwide, he has established himself as a strong presence in the architectural and museum lighting design fields, as well as working in other important markets. With a long-held belief that effective lighting design must begin with a deep understanding of the people who will experience it, Foster has continually proven himself to be a gifted leader and an indispensable asset to the Lightswitch team.
“Being promoted to Principal after more than two decades with Lightswitch is both an incredible honor and a deeply meaningful milestone in my career,” says Foster. “This recognition is not just about my work but also about the strong sense of community we’ve built at Lightswitch — a team of talented, supportive individuals who inspire me every day. I’m especially grateful to Howard Werner, whose guidance and belief in me from the very beginning shaped my journey and helped me grow into the designer and leader I am today.”
After graduating summa cum laude from Francis Marion University with a B.A. in Theatre Design & Technology, Foster earned a Masters in Fine Arts in Lighting Design from Boston University. He wasted no time making a name for himself after graduation and was soon a well-respected young East Coast designer. After joining Lightswitch, Foster rapidly expanded his reach to major event and entertainment projects nationwide and has established himself as a strong presence in the architectural lighting design field. His belief that effective lighting design must begin with a deep understanding of the people who will experience it has resulted in a long list of delighted clients and successful projects. After 22 years with, Charles was promoted to Principal of the organization’s New York Studio.
“We are proud to recognize Charles’s undeniable expertise in the field of lighting design with this expanded leadership role, and we look forward to working with him as he continues to represent Lightswitch at its best, both at home and abroad,” commented Lightswitch.
Lightswitch is a collective of internationally recognized lighting, media, and visual designers committed to changing the way people experience the world. Their dedicated team serves clients from full-service studios all over the globe, united by the core values that guide everything they do.
Further information from Lightswitch: https://lightswitch.net/
