Liesel Whitney-Schulte’s multi-faceted role as the DLC’s Program Director takes advantage of her passion for effective illumination and nearly 30 years of experience with programs to advance energy efficient lighting. A member of the DLC staff since 2015, Liesel’s responsibilities now include oversight of the DLC’s stakeholder outreach and engagement, communications, and membership activities, all of which help promote market adoption of quality LED lighting products.

Liesel first learned about the DLC while developing commercial lighting offers for utility efficiency programs in Wisconsin. As an efficiency program member of the DLC, she spent five years on the technical committee that provided feedback and direction for DLC technical requirements. With that, she was hooked on the DLC’s mission and goals, as well its staff whom she calls the most “dedicated and impressive group of people at a single organization” she has ever met. With her colleagues, Liesel now enjoys the daily challenges involved in balancing the interests of varied stakeholders while driving adoption of high-performing lighting that positively impacts the spaces people occupy while reducing energy use and supporting climate initiatives.

Lighting Certified by the National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions (NCQLP), Liesel also holds an Associate in Applied Science degree in interior design. Her professional affiliations include membership in the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) since 2004 (including past president of the IES Milwaukee Section) and the Board of Directors of NCQLP.

When she’s not working, you might find Liesel elbow deep in dirt or flour – cultivating a variety of garden plants, fruits, and vegetables, or indulging her passion for baking, especially during the holidays when she typically makes up to 20 types of cookies. But you won’t find this longtime Milwaukee resident imbibing the city’s most famous beverage…beer she does not like!