Jana Kirlin Brownell Inducted into IES Michigan Lighting Hall of Fame
Kirlin Lighting is proud to announce that its Chairman, Jana Kirlin Brownell, has been named as the 2024 inductee into the IES Michigan Lighting Hall of Fame. This honor, presented at the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Detroit Section’s annual awards gala, recognizes Jana’s extraordinary contributions to the lighting industry and her leadership at Kirlin, a leading manufacturer of sophisticated lighting products and systems for 129 years. Joining as a Product Manager in 1986, Jana was named President and CEO in 1997 and has led Kirlin to new heights during her impressive tenure with the company.
IES Detroit Vice President Michelle Prew, who presented Jana with the award, shared her admiration for Jana’s career and contributions in her introduction:
“Tonight, it is both a privilege and a pleasure to introduce and honor someone who has not only redefined leadership but also exemplified what it means to commit to excellence in both industry and community. As we celebrate Jana, we recognize not only her exceptional career but her unwavering commitment to enhancing lives through light, her advocacy for Detroit’s vitality, and her legacy of service to those around her.”
Jana, reflecting on her career during her acceptance speech, said:
“I should not be here; I had planned to become the creator of a global women’s healthcare delivery system to help women and their families preserve a life of vitality and good health. But, when my father was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in 1986, I returned to Michigan to join Kirlin and continue his legacy of innovation, quality, reliability, and dedication. […] In ways I’d never envisioned, Kirlin Lighting was fulfilling my personal and professional desire to enhance health and well-being on a global scale. I’ve been challenged by the rapid pace of innovation and rewarded by the impact our lighting has had in both architectural and healthcare markets.”
Jana also celebrated the contributions of those in the lighting industry, saying:
“Thank you all for what you, the lighting industry, does for our world of 8 billion people. You are illuminating their lives. Your work is noble and impactful.”
This achievement underscores Kirlin Lighting’s legacy of groundbreaking innovations in architectural and healthcare lighting, including the award-winning INFRALED PRO series, recognized as “The Coolest Thing Made in Michigan” in 2023.
Learn more about Kirlin Lighting’s legacy of excellence here.