NEW YORK — The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) recently announced the appointment of a new Director of Membership as well as the promotion of two senior staff members to newly created Associate Executive Director positions.
Carolyn Woods began her role as Director of Membership on December 1 and will lead strategic initiatives to enhance member engagement, retention, and growth as IES advances its 2026-2028 Strategic Plan focused on lasting, scalable growth.
Woods brings more than a decade of association management expertise to IES, with a proven track record in membership development, strategic communications, and volunteer leadership support. Most recently, she served as Director of Communications and Ministry Care at Accounting Beyond Borders, where she led stakeholder engagement strategies and spearheaded new fundraising initiatives that resulted in significant donation increases.
Prior to that, Woods spent nearly five years as Senior Membership Manager at the American Society for Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition, where she led membership growth initiatives and managed a diverse network of local chapters as well as specialty-specific groups. She has consistently demonstrated the ability to empower volunteer leaders, analyze data to inform strategic decisions, and implement engagement strategies that enhance member satisfaction.
“We are thrilled to welcome Carolyn to the IES team,” said Colleen Harper, CEO and Executive Director of IES. “Her extensive experience in membership management, combined with her strategic approach to community building and her passion for fostering meaningful connections, makes her ideally suited to lead our membership initiatives as we execute our new strategic plan. Carolyn’s expertise will be invaluable as we work to grow membership by expanding renewal options, engagement pathways, and support for local sections while energizing our members and modernizing our structure.”
Woods holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Messiah University and completed the Certified Association Executive (CAE) course through the Michigan Society of Association Executives. Beyond her association work, she is an accomplished entrepreneur, having founded a successful photography business and authored a children’s book.
“I’m excited to join IES and contribute to an organization with such a rich history and important mission,” said Woods. “I look forward to working with the talented IES team and our dedicated volunteers to create engaging experiences that support our members throughout their careers and strengthen our global lighting community.”
The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and Audio Engineering Society (AES) also announced the promotion of two senior staff members to newly created Associate Executive Director positions, effective January 1, 2026. The appointments reflect both organizations’ commitment to strategic growth and enhanced industry engagement following their recent shared management arrangement.
Brienne Willcock has been promoted to Associate Executive Director, Strategy, Standards, and Industry Engagement at IES. Willcock currently serves as Director of Education and Standards at IES, where she has been instrumental in advancing the Society’s technical excellence and educational programs.
Graham Kirk has been promoted to Associate Executive Director, Strategy, Events, and Industry Engagement at AES. Kirk currently serves as Director of Marketing and Business Development at IES and will bring his extensive experience in strategic positioning and event expertise from both AES and IES to his new role.
“Brienne and Graham have been invaluable in helping IES achieve significant milestones over the past several years,” said Colleen Harper, CEO and Executive Director of IES and Executive Director of AES. “These promotions recognize their leadership and expertise while positioning both organizations for continued innovation and growth. As we integrate our management structures, having leaders of their caliber focusing on strategy and industry engagement will be essential to serving our respective technical communities.”
“I’m honored to step into this expanded role and continue advancing IES’s work at the intersection of education, standards, and industry collaboration,” said Brienne Willcock. “As IES evolves, aligning our strategic initiatives with the needs of the lighting community is more important than ever. I look forward to helping guide that direction and ensuring our work remains both rigorous and deeply relevant.”
“I’m excited to return to AES and help stabilize and grow an organization with such a rich legacy,” said Graham Kirk. “AES has long been known for its exceptional educational events and publications, and I look forward to building on that foundation to serve the audio engineering community and strengthen the Society’s position as the leading voice in professional audio.”
Both appointments support the strategic vision of IES and AES to maintain their distinct identities while leveraging operational synergies through shared management. The new roles will focus on advancing each organization’s strategic priorities, strengthening industry partnerships, and enhancing member value.
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