Derry Berrigan
Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer
An internationally recognized lighting anthropologist, designer, and speaker, Derry Berrigan is the co-founder of Light Think University (LTU), an experiential education nonprofit with a mission to empower every student to become a confident innovator who cares through multi-semester hands-on innovation training using the built environment as the canvas for innovation. Derry is a practicing lighting designer for Light Think Studios , an organization dedicated to enriching experiences, shrinking energy obesity, and propelling sustainable progress through the innovation interface of light.
In addition to leading this increasingly important area of research, Derry is a sought-after keynote speaker and expert panelist at conferences worldwide, sharing stories and insights gained from her extensive fieldwork and research. She is a highly regarded industry expert and accomplished commentator on the intersection of light, technology, innovation, and business. As a widely recognized authority she has been featured in many publications including the New York Times, Building Design + Construction, and LEDs Magazine. As chief lighting anthropologist, Derry leads all field research, gaining insights into the visual experience of people who will actually be using what is designed and built. Insights inspire ideas and ideas inspire innovation.
At the age of nine, Derry learned first-hand about retail and “seeing the individual” to stimulate sales by working in her grandparents’ Supervalu grocery stores, and at seventeen she started her first company in technology. She was the first designer to implement architectural “white” LED lighting technology in 2006. And, Derry has led strategic consulting projects with Fortune 500 companies including Walmart, McDonald’s, Bank of America, and YUM! Brands.
When not in the air or on the road, Derry can most likely be found walking Duke through Grant Park enjoying the beautiful day in Chicago (yes, even in winter).
Bianca Ramsey
Co-Founder and CEO
Bianca is the CEO of Light Think Studios, a design practice providing innovative lighting design strategies for businesses who want to use lighting to stimulate sales and increase profits. Growing up the only child of an environmental engineer in the environmentally friendly small town of Chapel Hill, NC, Bianca was destined to design a life dedicated to helping others and facilitating positive change. Bianca's extensive experience in all things "green" combined with years of corporate sustainability and marketing experience (Estee Lauder, McDonald's, Burt's Bees) gives her a unique perspective when advising corporate leaders on how to adapt and navigate for continued success. Bianca prides herself on uncovering opportunities that create win-win sustainable solutions. Bianca is a LEED AP and holds degrees in Interior Architecture and Economics.
Breena Ferguson
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
Breena is a licensed Architect in Illinois, LEED AP, and the Director of Projects for Light Think University developing strategies for implementing LTU’s innovation programs. While serving as Project Manager at OKW Architects, Breena successfully managed a number of large-scale, multi-million dollar commercial projects; including fast-paced, intricate, and high-profile endeavors such as Eataly Chicago and an 11 million dollar HUD-funded remodel of senior living facilities in Oak Brook, Illinois. Prior to that, Breena led a team of professionals designing Yum! Brands first ever LEED certified restaurant; which served as their testing ground for sustainable design ideas to be implemented in their 35,000 stores worldwide.
Breena is a devoted advocate for using design as a tool to educate and inspire and applied her design leadership and coordination skills to community and education-focused projects as a volunteer at Architecture for Humanity Chicago and Urban Habitat Chicago. As Program Director for Urban Habitat Chicago, she planned and facilitated design charrettes for Chicago Public Schools. This effort required community engagement to enact UHC’s charrette strategy which she helped draft and continually improve. In addition to charrette facilitation, she focused on the development of UHC's educational programming concerning both internships (field work and administrative) and the seasonal workshops which led her to creating strategy and developing graphic design for the launch of UHCi (Urban Habitat Chicago Institute). Breena also assisted with event planning for UHC's volunteer and outreach programs and fundraising efforts.