Melisa Russo

Lighting Designer I

Melisa Russo's interest in design stems from her hometown of Baltimore, where she observed the effects of the built environment in urban settings and its dual influence on human interactions, both positive and negative.

Melisa earned her bachelor’s degree in interior design and fine art from CIDA-accredited Marymount University, outside of Washington, D.C., in Arlington, Virginia. Reflecting on her transition from Baltimore to D.C., her senior thesis focused on urban development in Baltimore, emphasizing the necessary facilities to combat municipal disinvestment and leverage local healthcare resources such as Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Following graduation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Melisa relocated to Sarasota, Florida, where she gained valuable experience sourcing interior furniture, fixtures, and equipment for public safety and community-focused projects at a local architecture firm. Seeking a metropolitan oasis, Melisa eventually moved to Chicago, where she applied her graphic design skills for the Van Gogh Immersive Exhibit. Shortly thereafter, she pursued advanced studies in the built environment and seamlessly transitioned to Pivotal, where she found her ideal position balancing technical requirements and design aesthetics.

Chicago and Lake Michigan provide an ideal backdrop for Melisa's passion for historical architecture and the vast perspective of open waters. She currently sits on the Illuminated Engineering Society Chicago's board as an emerging professional, absorbing all that lighting design has to offer.