In the vibrant world of professional lighting, Paula Ortiz stands out as a beacon of inspiration, her career shining with dedication, passion, and perseverance. Originally from Puerto Rico, Paula carries the indomitable spirit and rich cultural heritage of her homeland, elements that have shaped her path in the industry from its beginnings to her current role at Chauvet & Sons, LLC.
From her early days in Puerto Rico to her university education in Saint Louis, Missouri, Paula Ortiz carries with her the warm embrace of her Latina roots, a connection that has profoundly shaped her journey in the lighting industry. With a gleam in her eyes, Paula shares the rich cultural diversity of her country, where she says Puerto Ricans are a blend of four races in one: the Taíno Indian, the Spanish, the African, and the American. “My two grandmothers, both maternal and paternal, had a strong connection to our indigenous heritage,” Paula notes with admiration and gratitude. Through their example of hard work, love, resilience, intelligence, and honesty, these figures shaped Paula’s perspective and prepared her to face challenges and succeed in her professional path.
Reflecting on her academic background, Paula nostalgically recalls her university years in Saint Louis, where the world opened up to her with endless opportunities and discoveries. “Since it was the first time I left home, I had the chance to put into practice the foundations my parents had taught me,” she shares with emotion. The university not only provided her with specialized knowledge in her field of study but also instilled in her an open mindset receptive to new ideas and learning. “The university is crucial because we don’t just learn a profession; we show that we can learn, that we are open to new knowledge,” Paula Ortiz reflects. This philosophy of continuous learning has been a constant in Ortiz’s life and career, driving her forward on her journey to success in the lighting industry. “My motto: ‘It’s good to learn something new every day,’ has guided me on this exciting journey,” she adds with conviction.
Looking towards the future, Paula envisions a lighting industry in constant evolution, driven by technological innovation and limitless creativity. Her commitment to excellence and her passion for the industry place her in a privileged position to face challenges and seize opportunities that the future holds. With her tireless dedication and indomitable spirit, Paula Ortiz continues to illuminate the path toward a bright future in the professional lighting industry, leaving an indelible mark on CHAUVET Professional and beyond.
Her beginnings in the lighting industry marked a significant milestone in “Paulita’s” life, a journey that began with a bold decision. “On the third day after deciding not to continue with my law school studies, I started working at Super Vision International as a sales and marketing assistant to the CEO of the company,” Paula recalls with nostalgia. That February 24, 1994, became the starting point of a career filled with achievements and challenges.
Paula’s early steps in the industry were met with enthusiasm from her superiors, who recognized her ability to interact with international clients. “Within a few weeks, my then-boss praised me for my performance with international clients and asked me to start working with them,” she recounts with excitement. This shift in her career led her to establish valuable connections with distributors around the world, a process that enriched her professional and personal experience. “Those were years of significant learning and cultivating great human relationships,” she adds with gratitude.
With 30 years of experience in the lighting industry, Paula Ortiz reflects on the key moments that contributed to her professional growth. “This February 2024, I celebrated my thirtieth anniversary in the lighting industry,” she reveals with pride. During her time at Super Vision International, which later became Nexxus Lighting, Paula had the opportunity to expand her knowledge in various areas of the company, culminating in obtaining her MBA in International Relations. Additionally, she participated in iconic projects such as the AT&T Ball in Times Square and the Pepsi Balloon in Caracas, experiences that provided her with a unique perspective and a multidisciplinary approach.
Her time at Nexxus Lighting, where she became Director of International Sales, was another milestone in her career. “Becoming the Director of Sales for the company where I had grown as a woman, got married, and had my two children was a great achievement,” she asserts with emotion. During this period, Paula led a team of dedicated professionals and established lasting relationships with clients worldwide.
Her career also highlights her work at Light and Science Group and LedEngin, where she learned the importance of working with high-quality components. “During those years, I began working with Albert Chauvet and Michael Graham as an LED supplier for Chauvet’s Colorado fixtures,” she notes with satisfaction. This experience provided her with a deep understanding of quality standards and the importance of customer support, values that guide her current approach at Chauvet & Sons, LLC.
During the interview, Paula Ortiz shares a revealing anecdote that highlights her commitment to quality and customer service, fundamental principles in her lighting industry career. Reflecting on her experience, she mentions, “I always say that I am very clear about how demanding we are even with the last screw we specify for our products because I experienced it from the other side as a supplier. And that has made me feel very good from the beginning knowing that the products I sell are of high quality and that we respond when customers need support.”
This meticulous approach perfectly aligns with Chauvet’s philosophy, the company she currently works for. As part of the firm, she has committed to offering top-quality products and exceptional service, values she has internalized and carried with her every step of her career.
Paula shares her inspiring perspective on women’s participation in the industry. “I love seeing that the number of women in the industry has been growing. We can still be more; the important thing is to have support from family because it’s an industry where we have to travel a lot and be with clients.” With these words, she summarizes the experience of women’s success in a dynamic industry like lighting.
In her reflection on family support and professional growth, Ortiz mentions an English proverb that has resonated deeply in her life: “There’s an English saying: ‘It takes a village,’ which in Spanish would be something like ‘Se necesita un pueblo,’ and there’s nothing truer.”
This phrase embodies the importance of community and the support she has received throughout her career. It highlights not only the role of her parents but especially her children, whom she affectionately calls “my sunshines in my life.” She proudly shares, “Michael will turn 23 in a few weeks, and Tina just turned 21, but they will always be my kids.”
She also emphasizes how her career at Chauvet has allowed her to not only grow professionally but also provide a promising future for her family: “And since I started at Chauvet, the trips to Latin America and the Caribbean were at least monthly, but thanks to the company’s stability and constant growth, I have been able to push ‘my sunshines’ forward in our family of three.”
Regarding female participation in the industry, she praises initiatives such as WOMEN IN LIGHTING, LIGHTING GIRLS, MUHLERES NA LUZ, and TECHDIVAJA, which provide vital space for the growth and empowerment of women in the industry. She details: “These platforms provide a space for women in the industry, for their growth, knowledge expansion, and networking. They are excellent opportunities, and I hope they continue to grow and have others join.”
And in this conversation about role models, it is natural to ask Paula Ortiz if she has any industry figure who has inspired her. Without hesitation, she mentions Bérénice Chauvet, a figure who has left a profound mark on her professional and personal life. With an emotional tone, Ortiz expresses her admiration for Bérénice’s tenacity, intelligence, and integrity. “I had the opportunity to admire Bérénice from afar when I wasn’t yet working at Chauvet, and then to see what she had achieved with Albert Chauvet. It is a great pride and honor for me to work at the firm,” she acknowledges with conviction about her present.
An epic journey filled with gratitude and opportunities, Paula Ortiz describes her experience joining Chauvet. And a name becomes recurrent in describing her entry into the company. “The person I have to thank for the opportunity to be at Chauvet is Bérénice Chauvet,” Paula asserts with emotion.
Her entry into the company was marked by Bérénice’s recognition of her talent: “She had seen my CV on a previous occasion and remembered me,” Paula recalls. This led to a swift process of joining: “At that time, I was in Puerto Rico, I was called for an interview, and 3 weeks later, I was back in Florida because when Albert knocks on your door, you say yes,” she recounts with emotion.
Since then, Paula has served as Business Development Manager for Latin America with dedication, starting her journey on November 29, 2010.
In her role at Chauvet, she is committed to excellence and continuous growth in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). “I work with a wonderful group of distributors and clients in Latin America and the Caribbean,” Paula describes with enthusiasm. Her work focuses on ensuring attention and diversification of sales for the various brands and products represented in Chauvet’s portfolio, including CHAUVET Professional, ChamSys, Iluminarc, CHAUVET DJ, and TRUSST.
With a clear vision, she pursues the goal of expanding Chauvet’s presence and impact in every corner of the region while facing challenges and discovering opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean with a resilient and optimistic perspective. “The challenges are those faced by everyone in the industry, the economy, politics, but I always prefer to focus on opportunities,” Paula explains, whose determination dates back to her childhood, where she learned to overcome obstacles as one of the shortest players in the basketball league.
For her, the region presents immense opportunities for growth, and her commitment to meeting the needs and expectations of clients remains unshakable. “I always think that we have to grow together with our distributors and clients,” she emphasizes.
Paula Ortiz’s career is a testament to the strength, passion, and dedication that characterizes successful women in the lighting industry. Her journey from Puerto Rico to Chauvet & Sons, LLC is a source of inspiration, a journey marked by continuous growth and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
