Back by popular demand, come join us for a night of networking and relationship building with TSA CONNECT – a structured networking event for young professionals, emerging practitioners, newcomers, and foreign trained architects. Intended to serve as a platform for discussion and new connections, the evening will begin with a structured networking session followed by an informal mix and mingle.
So whether you are new to the city (or the country!), about to enter the architectural workforce, or a seasoned local veteran with decades of experience, come join us for a fun evening!
Light refreshments will be served, and there will be a cash bar.
Featured Guests:
TSA CONNECT 2019 will include featured guests representing a wide range of career paths and experiences. Featured guests include partners and principals form local and Ontario design firms of various sizes, as well as architects and designers working in academia, government, and the wider private sector. Throughout the night, participants will have the opportunity to interact with the featured guests in small groups.
Sonia Ramundi
Sonia is a registered architect and Senior Associate at Williamson Williamson Inc. Sonia is known for her critical insight and attention to detail and is key to conceptual development within the office. Since joining the team in 2015 she has led various master planning, retail interior, and residential projects, including the office addition above Pilot Coffee’s roastery and flagship location in Toronto. She is currently the project lead on various commercial interior fit-outs and a residence overlooking the Bluffs. Prior to joining Williamson Williamson Inc. Sonia worked in offices in Los Angeles and Toronto as a project designer on various institutional projects as well as award winning high-end interiors and residential projects.
Sonia believes strongly in the importance of mentorship, both inside and outside of the office. As an Executive Member of BEAT (Building Equality in Architecture Toronto) Sonia contributes to the Dinner Series and Annual Leadership Seminar as she sees them as vehicles for promoting networking, mentorship, and therefore retention in the field.
Stephanie Hosein
Stephanie Hosein is a Toronto-based architect, born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Stephanie graduated from Dalhousie University with her Master of Architecture degree in 2010, and was awarded the Brian MacKay-Lyons’ Ghost Lab 13 scholarship, as well as the AIA Henry Adams Certificate.
Stephanie moved to Toronto in 2011 to join KPMB Architects. She worked on several large-scale commercial and institutional projects including the Bay Adelaide Centre East Tower and the Adams Center for Musical Arts at Yale University prior to joining Omar Gandhi Architect Inc. in 2016. Stephanie’s accomplishments at OGA include Project Architect for the new Lady Marmalade in Toronto and Teph Inlet in Chester, Nova Scotia. She also collaborated with KPMB, gh3 and Superk
ül on the successful bid for Hamilton’s Pier 8 development.
Stephanie is a founding and executive committee member of Building Equality in Architecture Toronto (BEAT), an independent organization dedicated to the promotion of equity, diversity and design excellence in the profession of architecture.
Ali is an architectural designer | aviation planner, project lead, and design lead with 15 years of experience in practice. Through an internationally diverse career, he offers an extensive understanding and experience in a wide array of architectural practice aspects such as project management, planning, schematic design, construction drawings /documents and QC.
Ali’s career has been focused on airport projects since 2014, including passenger experience enhancement, terminal enhancement, and digital transformation projects for various airport authorities Canada wide. He is leading technologically advanced initiatives in Arup that shapes new definition for human-centred design approach in airports and smart cities.
Farida Abu-Bakare is an Associate and Project Designer at the global architecture, design, engineering and planning firm; HOK. Farida holds an undergraduate degree in Architecture from Carleton University and completed her graduate studies in Architecture at Ryerson University. From 2012, Farida has lived and worked with HOK throughout Canada and internationally to build an extensive portfolio including workplace, corporate headquarters, higher education, aviation, justice, science and advanced technology projects. Farida believes architecture and design are tools to support and empower the communities she lives and works. Within HOK she’s found opportunities to contribute by running local initiatives for HOK Impact, a volunteer arm that organizes involvement in local charities. She is also a board member of the HOK Diversity Council, which aims to promote an inclusive business environment and a culture where people with varied backgrounds, perspectives, skills and experience can work to meet global client needs with creative and innovative solutions. Continuing a long tradition of mentorship within the profession she has spearheaded the HOK Mentoring Program in multiple offices. These programs aim to empower emerging professionals within the firm to seek out opportunities to build leadership skills.
Hasan Wahab is the Manager of Architectural Services at the Greater Toronto Airport Authority with more than 10 years of experience in Design Management. After getting his Bachelor Degree in Architectural Engineering Hasan worked for Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects and built his experience in Airport Design & Planning, Building Information Modeling and Stakeholders Management. With a strong belief in the power of continuous education, Hasan got a Masters Degree in Project Management, LEED Certificate and completed three bridging programs in Architecture, Project Management, and Sustainability. Outside the work, you may find Hasan enjoying the Canadian Nature or playing the Flute with his small band.
Janice Quieta is an OAA registered architect, and a LEED Green Associate. She received her Master of Architecture degree from Dalhousie University after completing a Bachelor of Architectural Science degree at Ryerson University. Her graduate thesis examined the feasibility of retrofitting post-war residential towers in Toronto’s St. Jamestown using a socially and ecologically sustainable program. She has studied and worked in Toronto, Halifax, Dusseldorf, and Koln and participated in a number of national and international design competitions in Canada and Germany.
Before joining ERA, Janice worked as an assistant architect on master planning, urban design, and residential and industrial projects. At ERA, her work focuses on restoration, renovation, and new construction, with a particular interest in sustainable technology at the intersection of new and existing materials.
Juan Carlos is an Associate at DIALOG and an accomplished Architectural Designer with 18 years of experience. He has led and collaborated in the conceptualization, design and development of architectural projects ranging from educational, healthcare, civic, sports and recreation, residential, commercial projects and large-scale master planning.
His experiences practicing in Venezuela, Los Angeles and Toronto, a rich multicultural background and education has provided him the opportunity to complete projects for a culturally diverse group of clients and communities. He has been a thought leader with a strong relationship with Academia, committed to the understanding and advancement of the discipline of Architecture.
Juan is dedicated to an inclusive team approach that promotes the purposeful integration of design, technical innovation and advance project delivery methods to effectively realize ideas that tackle the essential issues that affect our cities, communities and culture.
Lorna Day, MCIP, RPP, B. Arch.
Director, Urban Design
City of Toronto
Lorna Day is the Director of Urban Design for the City of Toronto. She began her career as an architect with an interest in urban design, and over the past 29 years she has worked for the City of Toronto in urban design, community planning, and transportation planning. During that time she was responsible for the City’s ‘Avenues and Mid Rise Building’ study as well as the ‘Eglinton Connects’ study which weaves the new Crosstown LRT into the fabric of Toronto.
She has been Director of Community Planning for the Scarborough District and was the Director of Project Planning and Program Development for Metrolinx. She rejoined the City as Director of Urban Design in December, 2016.
Lorna has been named a ULI Woman of Influence and her work has been recognized through numerous planning awards from the Canadian Institute of Planners, the Ontario Professional Planning Institute, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and the Toronto Urban Design Awards.
She is a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, the Ontario Professional Planners Institute, and is a graduate of the University of Toronto's School of Architecture. Lorna is a frequent speaker and panelist and she guest lectures at the University of Toronto and Ryerson University.
Marina Socolova is a Technical Architect / Job Captain at a large Architecture, Design and Urban Planning firm - NEUF Architect(e)s, based in Montreal, QC, with offices in Ottawa and Toronto. Marina is a licensed architect in both provinces of Ontario and Quebec and has an extensive background of works in Institutional, Commercial and Health Care projects. Marina’s professional experience include the new Quartier de la Santé (the NEW CHUM), la migration du Biodôme in Montreal, QC and The WELL development project in Toronto, ON. Marina has always been on the forefront of new technologies— BIM modeling, code validations and collaboration/management software tools. She ensures latest standards and industry norms are integrated from the drawing board to the construction site. Leading technical teams on major construction projects in Montreal and Toronto, Marina’s expertise is quickly recognized by clients and consultants.
Born and raised in the Far East of Russia, Natalia has been making giant leaps across the globe – from Japan, through Moscow, from Spain to London, until finally landing here in Toronto. Bringing a wealth of experiences with her, she now spends her days and nights translating all of her soaked-up culture into physical forms. Her openness and enthusiasm know no bounds when it comes to creation.
Having studied both architecture and construction management, Natalia has become an expert in designing and building her art, working full-time at an architectural firm and at her own design collective, Interspatial. Meeting new people is a huge part of her life as well. She finds new connections and ways to learn from everyone around her, from colleagues at industry and art events to friends at a boxing match. Multiplying her knowledge and manifesting it physically is a non-stop process, where one project starts before the other one ends.
Natalia had a number of recent art exhibitions in Toronto, including for DesignTO, PULP Art Party, Yonge + St Clair BIA, BIG on Bloor, Place and Placement and Evergreen Brick Works. Projects reviews have been featured in Urban Toronto, Toronto Guardian, BlogTO, Now Magazine, among others.
Neo is a Lead Architect and Technical Specialist with over 10 years of experience in the architectural field. Originating from the the UAE where he worked on luxury residential & commercial projects, Neo eventually joined IBI Group in 2014, obtained his OAA license and found his passion in transit architecture. Leading the design on multiple LRT stations and GO Transit projects has given Neo an enormous amount of experience which he has applied in his current role at Comtech where he plays an integral part managing their transit portfolio.
His experience in moving from a different country and in many ways restarting his career inspired him to co-find “SIMPLY ExAM” - a company dedicated to assisting architectural graduates and new immigrants with architectural backgrounds in obtaining "Canadian" experience. His passion for helping others doesn't end there. From 2015-2017, Neo played an integral part with a Not for Profit called Mes Amis Canada, which assisted Syrian Refugees fleeing the war to settle in Canada. He was recognized by the Governor General of Canada for his service and was subsequently awarded the June Callwood Award for Volunteerism.
Pauline Dolovich
Pauline is an architect who has specialized in museums and exhibit projects since she joined Reich+Petch in 1998. In 2011, she became a Partner of the firm and has produced many projects for renowned clients such as the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa, ON, and the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON. She specializes in working on large-scale exhibition and museum planning projects that involve large teams of specialists and object-rich and complex installations. Her award-winning work at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History began with the Behring Hall of Mammals and since that time she has worked on five major galleries for the Museum. Pauline works to promote accessibility and inclusion to the larger museum community. She has spoken at numerous conferences on the topic of accessibility and has been an advisor for the Ontario Museum Association’s Inclusion 2025 program.
A multiple award winning Architect. Sohrab has over 10 years of experience in Architecture, Interior Design and Construction of Transit, residential, institutional, healthcare and mixed use projects. His experience is coupled with master’s degree in Architecture, several design awards and sculpture exhibitions.
He has been with IBI Group since 2014 with the main focus on transit architecture. His professional career includes leading the architecture team on Lyon Station in downtown Ottawa (underground station on the Confederation Line Stage 1), Leaside Station (underground station on the Eglinton LRT line); Architect in charge of 8 stations of Confederation Line Stage 2 (RFP Phase) and currently in charge of designing Carlaw Station (underground station of the Relief Line South project).
Our Venue:
The Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) is an organization with a mission to catalyze social change. CSI provides shared working space and resources for social innovators, and creates a platform for communities to develop around organizations in the social mission sector. The CSI Annex building dates from before 1920, a classic turn of the century brick-and-beam building with a vibrant mix of office and gathering spaces.
TSA CONNECT will be held in the first floor CSI Cafe which is fully accessible.
Schedule:
6:00 – 6:30 PM Arrival and Check-In
6:30 – 6:45 PM Introductions
6:45 – 7:30 PM Structured Networking
7:30 – 7:45 PM Closing Remarks
7:45 – 9:00 PM Mix and Mingle
This year’s edition of TSA CONNECT is being held in partnership with the Toronto Architecture Club.
