Beginning January 2026, Lightswitch’s New York studio will see a transition of leadership. 

At the start of the new year, longtime Lightswitch team members Charles Foster and Howard Werner will shift out of their current joint leadership of the firm’s New York studio, with Foster being promoted to Principal and Managing Director and Werner taking on the role of Strategic Advisor.

Since joining Lightswitch in 2002, Foster has made a lasting mark on both our organization and the industry as a whole, establishing himself as a strong presence with an impressive range of projects worldwide, including popular themed environments, live events, exhibits, museum design, and architectural lighting. Significant recent projects include Union Square Hospitality Group’s CiSiamo restaurant and the acclaimed Yale Peabody Museum.

“New York has always fueled creativity and challenged convention,” says Foster. “As a team, we’re looking to the future and excited about the radical changes that are coming to the built environment. As an individual, I’m looking forward to serving our clients, our team, and the design community in this new role.”

Werner, an award-winning designer specializing in theatrical and architectural lighting who has lent his skills to Lightswitch since 2001, promises “no one is more equipped to take on the New York studio [than Charles Foster].” Norm Schwab, Principal and Managing Director of Lightswitch’s San Francisco studio, adds, “We are thrilled to welcome Charles in his new role. Having worked with him in every capacity, I can clearly say he is the perfect person to lead Lightswitch New York into the future.”

We are proud to announce Foster taking on this expanded leadership role and look forward to the future of Lightswitch New York. With projects in the works from The American Museum of Natural History, The Music Center, and Union Square Hospitality Group, this next year of the New York studio, with Foster at the helm, is sure to be an exciting one. 

About Lightswitch: 

Lightswitch is a collective of creative studios, committed to crafting unforgettable live experiences. For over 30 years, we have designed lighting, media, and visuals for events, entertainment, experiences, museums, and architecture. With locations in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, San Francisco, and Hong Kong, we partner with artists, brands, agencies, and cultural institutions to bring bold visions to life worldwide.