Leigh Sarembock

Leigh Sarembock’s design journey has taken her around the globe; from California to Tel Aviv, and New York where she earned her Honors Degree in Interior Design from Parsons. She honed her design skills at Paris Forino Design where her portfolio includes luxury residential developments, prominent private residences and workspaces. These projects have been profiled in publications such as Architectural Digest, Elle Decor and Vogue.

With a strong foundation in lighting design, Leigh brings a nuanced understanding of how light shapes a space and plays an integral role in creating atmosphere.

Leigh has a keen creative compass and adventurous spirit that is reflected in her work and process. Integrity and originality is at the heart of everything she does.

Mark Raissen

1982 - Mark graduated from the School of Electrical Engineering in South Africa with a major in Lighting Engineering.

He founded a start-up lighting design consultancy “Light Years Ahead” and partnered with a UK company. Within five years they listed on the Stock Exchange growing to R300 million and 250 employees. Mark and his teams implemented lighting projects for Caesars, London Clubs, Hilton Hotels, Merrill Lynch, Reuters, McKinsey, Bain Capital, and Microsoft.

2002 - Mark was Awarded US Immigration O Visa and appointed as a consultant to the EPA. Mark was featured in national TV shows and presented seminars on the new Title 24 lighting energy codes of practice. Mark implemented sales and design training programs across the country and educated Architects, Engineers and Contractors in the new Title 24 Energy Codes.

2005 - Mark founded Lighting Imagination. The company was commissioned by Starbucks Coffee Corporation to design and specify energy-effective LED lighting for 13,000 stores and train their partners globally to activate this program.

While at Lighting Imagination, Optiled/CREE appointed Mark as their Senior Vice President of Product Development attending quarterly meetings in Hong Kong and tasked with defining the strategy and roadmap for LED product development. He then trained their international teams and presented seminars to customers, CREE’s shareholders and LED product engineers in USA, Hong Kong, and China.

2008 - Mark’s company was acquired by 3form, a division of the €3 billion “Hunter Douglas” group of companies. As President of 3form Light Design, Mark was responsible for creating the lighting division for the company. Mark was responsible for the design of all LED lighting technology and techniques.

2012 - Mark reactivated Lighting Imagination/ LightRaze. 

2013 - LightRaze formed a strategic alliance with First Circle Light Design. 

Cindi Opdyke

Cindi lives and breathes social media! She completes LightRaze team with her brilliant marketing skills and behind-the-scenes shots. Feel free to reach out to Cindi about any exciting marketing & collaboration opportunities, and she will likely get back to you within minutes.

Favorite sports team: Ahaheim Ducks

Rachel Lucero

Rachel has a Bachelors Degree in Architecture degree from Espíritu Santo University in Ecuador. She has worked for an international company in Guayaquil specializing in developing social housing for the Government of Ecuador before moving to Southern California with her family. Rachel has joined LightRaze in 2019 as a Design Assistant and has been promoted shortly after for her invaluable skills. Rachel is a CAD guru and lighting cove detail expert.

Favorite hobby: inline skating

Michal Akiva

Michal has an Associate of Arts Degree in Interior Design from Interior Designers Institute in Newport Beach. Prior to joining LightRaze, Michal has worked for a number of boutique interior design firms in booming Lido Isle area. While in IDI, Michal has discovered a deep interest in lighting, which has later grew into a passion and career. She brings her impeccable eye for design to each project.

Favorite beach: Laguna Beach in the O.C. and Tel Aviv Beach in Israel