TSA CONNECT 2025: Volunteering

Afsaneh is registered with the OAA and has been volunteering since 2013, leading the preparation of OAA’s white paper for the 2014 CACB Validation Conference. She was a founding member of RAIC Emerging Practitioners, Canada’s first Advocacy Group for Interns serving as Director of Knowledge from its inception in 2016 – 2020. She created a series of Webinars on the National Building Code and Contract Administration (ExAC Exam Sections 2 & 4), and participated in the preparation and/or presentation of Con Ed Sessions at RAIC Festivals 2015 – 2020.

In 2021, Afsaneh was a founding member of “Becoming Architects Canada” whose primary focus is advocating and providing support for individuals on the path to licensure. As Director of Knowledge, she has been responsible for preparation of BAC-DAC’s Launch Event Findings Report, the position paper submitted to CACB for the October 2022 Validation Conference, and a webinar on supporting ExAC prep.

Alessandro Tersigni is a cultural writer and heritage professional. A project manager of cultural initiatives at ERA Architects and a board member at the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario’s Toronto branch, he’s interested in buildings as both evidence of and impetus for diverse, specific dimensions of past and present cultures. Fascinated by the evolving relationship between the GTA’s marginal, in-between, counterintuitive places and its most celebrated landmarks, Georgian manors and suburban plazas excite him equally.

In his work with ACO Toronto, Alessandro has managed the organization’s TOBuilt database of buildings, structures, and human-made landscapes, led a city-wide survey of detached houses built between 1940 and 2000 in Toronto’s inner suburbs, and documented prewar walk-up apartment buildings. He has written for The New York Times, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, and The Los Angeles Review of Books and holds an MA in Cultural Reporting and Criticism from New York University.

Angela Gou is a passionate advocate for equity within the realm of architecture and is an intern architect at KPMB Architects. A graduate of the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto, Angela was deeply engaged in the school community, notably serving as the President of the Graduate Student Union (GALDSU) and is the recipient of the Alpha Ro Chi Medal for professional merit, as well as the John and Myrna Daniels Scholars Award.

Immersed in the field of architecture, Angela is committed to fostering inclusivity and fairness. Her dedication to these principles extends beyond her professional endeavors, as she actively seeks opportunities to champion equity in various spheres, including as a member of the Executive Board of BEAT overseeing their social media initiatives. With a fervent belief in the importance of representation and advocacy, Angela looks forward to continual collaboration with BEAT members and working together with the next generation of women on their journey in architecture and design.

Anna Kao is an architect and strategic design leader based in Toronto and New York City, with expertise in luxury retail design. She studied architecture at the University of Toronto (B.Arch) and built her career in Hong Kong, San Francisco, and New York City before returning to Canada. Anna combines rigorous design thinking with business acumen, steering firm strategy, client development, and multidisciplinary collaboration to deliver design outcomes that are innovative and client-focused.

Active in Toronto’s design community, Anna is a member of the DesignTO core volunteer team, contributing as Special Projects Coordinator with Operations & Development. She also serves on the Board of DIAC (Design Industry Advisory Committee) as a TSA/OAA representative, Board Director, Secretary, and the Communications Lead. Previously, she co-led the TSA Film Initiatives which included film-based programming and collaboration with the annual Architecture & Design Film Festival.

Cassandra is a multidisciplinary designer working at the intersection of urbanism, design, community engagement, and social/economic development. Over the past decade, she has contributed to diverse design studios and organizations both in Toronto and internationally, such as UofT’s School of Cities, VTLA, SvN, Lanescape, The Laneway Project, and Planit (UK).

Currently, Cassandra serves as the Community Safety & Wellbeing Consultant for the City of Toronto’s 10-Year Community Safety and Well-being Plan (SafeTO) in partnership with the Downtown Yonge BIA.

She brings years of experience in engaging communities, strategic development, fostering inclusive collaboration, and creating lasting, positive impacts through thoughtful co-design.

Dima is a Principal and Director at EVOQ Architecture. Specializing in heritage conservation and Inuit and First Nations architecture, EVOQ’s practice is anchored in the conservation of culture and communities, and in the creation of new environments that sustain and reflect them. Dima leads the Toronto office, which she opened in 2012. She has over 27 years of experience having started her career working with Inuit communities in the Far North. In the last 20 years, she has focused on heritage conservation. Her experience and dual training as an architect and project manager have allowed Dima to manage large, complex projects from early design to contract administration working. Dima continues to work on Union Station and is currently leading the Hart House Infrastructure Renewal Project and the studies for rehabilitation of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

She was a founding member of the Montreal Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. She has served on the APT Sustainable Preservation Sub-committee on Climate Change. Since 2014, she is a member of the City of Toronto Design Review Panel as Heritage Specialist. Dima is a past president of the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals and continues to co-chair the Advocacy Committee focusing on heritage, adaptive-reuse and climate change.

A visionary interior designer, educator, and advocate with over two decades of transformative impact in interior design, Erin Jenner (MA.ID, BID, NCIDQ, ARIDO, IDEC) embodies the intersection of professional excellence and educational innovation. With roots in Toronto’s design firms and professional experience spanning corporate, government, healthcare, and residential projects, Erin brings real-world expertise to every endeavor.

A Humber College (’99) and Savannah College of Art & Design (’15) graduate, Erin’s academic journey culminated in her graduate research focused on design activism and social justice in education – principles that now form the foundation of inspirED learning lab. As founder and CEO of inspirED learning lab, Erin has created a groundbreaking virtual space where design professionals cultivate curiosity and collective growth.

Her approach to education—centered on social justice, inclusivity, and challenging traditional pedagogy—has inspired countless students across Ontario’s institutions. A passionate advocate for equity in design, Erin’s leadership during her time as ARIDO Education Director and her work as Project Advisor for RIDA (Registered Interior Design Assessment, ARIDO), reflect her commitment to evolving the profession. Through inspirED, she continues to foster environments where diverse perspectives thrive, and future designers discover their opportunity to transform communities through thoughtful design.

Erin’s mission: inspiring a new generation of design professionals who lead with creativity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to positive social impact.

Heather is an architect who has studied, worked, and lived in Toronto for 15 years. She has completed both an undergraduate and a master’s degree in architecture at Toronto Metropolitan University, and is currently working at Montgomery Sisam Architects. Her interests revolve around the intersection of public policy and architectural design, particularly for affordable housing, safe streets, and advocacy. Heather is an Initiative Lead with the TSA, helping to organize various forms and panel events. She has also volunteered as the Intern Representative on the OAA council and on the Interns Committee for several years, and has contributed to grassroots efforts like the Toronto chapter of the Architecture Lobby.

At AECOM, Joanna works with clients and supports our delivering teams, and building upon our key advisory services for our clients for major transit projects. Her focus is centred on transition of projects from construction into operation and maintenance, ensuring that all stakeholders are ready for seamless service delivery.

Joanna brings more than 30 years of experience delivering transformative transit projects, including Toronto’s Line 1 subway extension and the Eglinton Crosstown LRT in Toronto, Canada. A respected leader in transit planning, operations, and delivery, Joanna’s expertise brings tremendous strength to our Transit Operations and Maintenance services in Canada and globally, supporting clients from commissioning through optimization and asset management. Joanna’s previous roles include Vice President with Crosslinx Transit Solutions, JV delivering Eglinton Crosstown LRT, Director with TTC delivering the TTC’s Line 1 Extension, and City of Toronto, leading City’s transit planning program. Joanna holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Civil Engineering) from the University of Waterloo and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario.

She is a long-term member of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, having served as in numerous leadership roles, including as the first woman Canadian District President and Canada’s International Director on the International board. She has volunteered with ULI Toronto, on the University of Waterloo Toronto Chapter Advisory Board, University of Waterloo Turkstra Advisory Committee, and with the Prosperity Project as a mentor.

Kfir Gluzberg is an architect, advocate, and instructor. His practice, Kilogram Studio, was founded in 2015 and focuses on making joyful spaces in a wide range of project types. His projects have been awarded and published, including Best of Canada Retail in 2023 and 2019, and his Glimmer House project was featured in Dwell, Grand Designs, and Designlines Magazine. Kfir first volunteered with the TSA back in 2019 as part of our Pride initiatives, and now serves as an Initiative Lead with our Forums programming. He has organized several panel discussions as part of the Pride and Forums initiatives. He is a founding member of the 1117 Community Post group since 2022 and volunteers with the Toronto Triggerfish since 2018.

After sustaining a spinal cord injury in 2002, Luke Anderson was all of a sudden introduced to a world that’s not well suited for a wheelchair user. His frustration encountering access barriers led him to co-found the StopGap Foundation, which raises awareness about the importance of a barrier free and inclusive society. StopGap works with volunteer accessibility advocates all over Canada delivering education and resources that inspire societal perspective shifts, the removal of barriers in the built environment, and policy change. StopGap’s awareness raising programming helps ensure our society’s collective understanding about the importance of accessibility and inclusion continues to advance and grow. Luke is a licensed professional engineer, a nature lover, an avid meditator, a musician, and is the recipient of a Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal.

Mariam Abdelrahman is an emerging designer who approaches architecture through the lens of cultural heritage, community building, and visual arts. She is a second-year Master of Architecture candidate at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto, where she also received her Bachelor of Architecture. Mariam enjoys integrating her background in visual arts particularly ceramics and handmade craft into her design work, seeing both as ways to tell stories and preserve traditions.

In 2023, she founded Makani, a practice focused on handmade tableware and home décor inspired by traditional Sudanese pottery. The practice seeks to study and revive craft traditions once rooted in Omdurman Market, Sudan’s largest marketplace, which was destroyed during the country’s recent conflict. Through Makani, Mariam connects her design work to the resilience of the Sudanese diaspora, reimagining cultural preservation as a form of design practice.

Alongside her academic and creative work, Mariam is the Mentorship Committee Lead of the Black Architects and Interior Designers Association (BAIDA), and the President of BAIDA Students. She is also the Co-Creator of the Building Black Success in Design (BBSD) mentorship program at the University of Toronto. As she advances in her studies and practice, Mariam continues to explore how architecture can be both a cultural archive and a platform for equity, mentorship, and community empowerment.

Mohammed Dawoud is a professional engineer with a passion for high-performance envelope design, focusing on the implementation of sound building science principles while maintaining a constructible approach. He holds a Master of Engineering degree with a focus on structural engineering, as well as building science, and Passive House Design certifications. He serves as a volunteer Director with the Building Science Association of Ontario (BSAO, formerly OBEC), where he supports the organization’s mission to advance building performance and sustainability. In this role, he helps guide educational programs, technical forums, and advocacy efforts that strengthen the community by raising standards for building science practice across Ontario.

Philip Smith is a board member, Executive Vice President and longstanding member of the Association of Ontario Land Economists (AOLE). Philip is an Accredited Appraiser and peer reviewer in the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AACI), a former board member, chapter chair and Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS), a member of the International Right of Way Association (IRWA), a member of the Ontario Expropriation Association (OEA), a member of the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP), a member of the Toronto Region Real Estate Board (TRREB), a registered real estate broker in the Province of Ontario (RECO). Philip has also previously volunteered at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) during a career sabbatical in 2023.

Philip is also Managing Director, Valuation and Advisory Services, at Colliers International. Philip leads a team of over 40 valuation professionals in four offices across Ontario. Philip has over 38 years experience in the commercial real estate market and has been involved in the leasing, management, sale, acquisition, financial analysis, strategic planning and valuation of a variety of assets in real estate markets across Canada, the U.S. and the Caribbean. Philip has completed numerous valuations and market studies for clients across Canada. In addition, he has also developed and coordinated real estate strategies for a wide variety of corporate, government and non-profit clients. Philip has written a number of articles for industry publications on items ranging from the impact of bank mergers on the Toronto office market to the business case for green buildings and the impact of changes in financial reporting standards on the valuation profession. Philip has spoken at several commercial real estate industry conferences in Canada and the U.S. on a wide variety of topics. Philip has also coordinated and instructed at the annual Valuation in Commercial Real Estate Course for RealPac. Philip has coordinated numerous large portfolio valuation assignments and individual appraisals and has experience giving expert evidence at the Ontario Land Tribunal as well as attending and giving evidence at a number private arbitration hearings and mediations.

Sandra Iskandar brings a strong sense of community to everything she does, blending architecture, creativity, and placemaking in ways that feel both thoughtful and inspiring. She’s drawn to projects that make a real difference. She is a Principal at GBCA (Goldsmith Borgal & Company Ltd. Architects), an award-winning architectural firm in Toronto. Her professional experiences entail public and cultural sector, heritage, multi-sport games combined with sustainability and social justice. A Carleton U Alumni, Sandra holds a professional degree in Architecture, where she was an Associate Professor for first year Architectural Design Studio. She took part of the OAA K to 12 task force group in 2023. She is currently the lead bilingual architectural educator for an award-winning program called Imagining my Sustainable Community held by a non-for-profit organization No.9 Contemporary Art and Environment where she began as a volunteer. Her current volunteer work includes serving as Executive Board Member of the Hamilton and Burlington Society of Architects, Treasurer of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario-Hamilton Chapter (ACO), and the Director and Committee Chair with the Friends of the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives. For all her hard work, Sandra was bestowed a 2025 Ontario Volunteer Service Award from the Secretariat Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.

Sarah is an equal parts community builder, urbanist and explorer with a strong background in community development approaches and a strong passion for facilitating authentic engagement. She has held past roles with innovative organizations including The East Scarborough Storefront and CivicAction and is currently the co-chair of Jane’s Walk, the global walking and urbanism festival. Sarah has also contributed to community engagement initiatives with Centre for Social Innovation, Decathlon, Parkbus and Rouge National Urban Park. She is currently working with York Region Food Network to support community and local economic development initiatives to tackle the roots of food insecurity across York Region.

When not working, you can find her exploring parks and greenspaces as a hike guide and leader, encouraging accessibility and representation in outdoor spaces.

Shane Laptiste is a Toronto-based architect and the Principal and co-founder of the Studio of Contemporary Architecture (SOCA). Recipient of the 2023 Canadian Prix de Rome, he investigates how communal narratives and spatial imagination—particularly within Black communities—can be translated into built form. Licensed in Ontario and Quebec, Shane holds BSc(Arch) and MArch degrees from McGill University, where he has also taught as a studio instructor. He is a sessional instructor at the University of Toronto and serves on the board of the Canadian Architectural Certification Board. A co-founder of Black Architects and Interior Designers Association (BAIDA), he has also previously served as a volunteer director for Capital Region Housing, Media Architecture Design Edmonton, Nuit Blanche Edmonton and NCC Charles H Este Community Centre. Currently, he is leading projects across Canada that centre art, gathering, and joy.

Silvio Baldassarra is an Architect, FRAIC, OAA, with over 52 years experience. A graduate of Humber College with an Architectural Design Diploma in 1972 followed with a BArch. from the University of Toronto in 1976. Silvio’s carrer started with Joseph Bogdan Associates for 14 years and the past 37 years with NORR, stepping down as Chair in 2023.

Today Silvio holds positions of NORR Chair Emeritus, RAIC Chair – Advisors to Professional Practice (RAPP), President of Architettura and Design ICFF and past founder and host of NORRed.

In addition to design and management of large scale complex projects and being Chair of NORR with 800 staff in 14 offices in Canada, USA and the UK, Silvio has always had a passion for architectural education and continuous learning and giving back in volunteer contributions to improve the future of the architectural community. This included : the 18 years of NORRed lecture series with 124 guest speakers, 43 NORRed You Tube sessions moderated and hosted by Silvio, 8 years with Architettura and Design of ICFF, which includes : architectural films, live lectures and exhibits and the last 2 years as Chair RAIC – Advisor to Professional Practice.

Silvio has received numerous awards including Ontario Renews Award for Single Family Housing in 1986, ASTM award for Sky Dome in 1990, multiple awards for NORR projects he was responsible for until 2023.

He has been recognized as a Fellow of the RAIC in 2010, Premio Laziale dell’anno by the Lazio Federation of Ontario in 2017, the Ordine Al Merito by the National Congress of Italian Canadians in 2019 and the King Charles lll Coronation Medal in 2024.

Susan Speigel, a Toronto-based architect with over 30 years of experience, leads SSA STUDIO, a design firm dedicated to community-driven, innovative architecture. She specializes in “Social Architecture in the Public Realm,” blending disciplines to create actionable, people-centered projects.

A former core faculty member at George Brown College’s Institute without Boundaries, Speigel is currently engaged in a five-year SSHRC study on quality in Canada’s built environment. Her pioneering pilot projects showcase a consultative approach, integrating funding models that sustain both construction and long-term community growth.

As a past OAA President and an active voice in policy and public education, she bridges architecture with government and academia to drive meaningful change. Inspired by the 2021 Pritzker Prize winners, her work embodies “Restorative Architecture”—respecting the past while acting responsibly for the planet’s future.

Tushar Negi is the Co-Founder and Executive Director on the Board of Directors of SOSA Canada (Society of South Asian Architects), a national non-profit launched in early 2021. What began as casual conversations has grown into a platform for connection, mentorship, and collaboration across the architecture profession. While inspired by the shared experiences of South Asian architects, SOSA’s programming and community are open to all, especially newcomers and emerging professionals. SOSA aims to create spaces where people can share their stories, exchange knowledge, and support one another’s growth. SOSA has delivered events, panels, and initiatives that go beyond showcasing work – they foster honest dialogue about the realities of the profession and practice and create opportunities for architects to define their own paths. In 2025, SOSA expanded its reach with the launch of a newly established Vancouver chapter, marking the first step toward a national network of local communities.

Alongside his volunteer leadership, Tushar is a registered architect with the Ontario Association of Architects and the founder of THINK Architecture, a practice dedicated to sustainable, wellness-focused, and context-responsive design. With over 13 years of experience across residential, commercial, retail, and mixed-use developments, he brings a rare hybrid background in both architectural practice and real estate development. His previous roles at WZMH Architects and Marlin Spring Developments saw him lead design vision, manage complex municipal approvals, and coordinate multidisciplinary teams from concept to construction.

Whether through his architectural work or volunteer efforts, Tushar is driven by a belief that architecture is as much about people and community as it is about buildings – and that lasting impact comes from building both.

Vikkie Chen is a Licensed Architect and a Manager at Turner Fleischer Architects with a passion for community engagement and cultural enrichment.  She ensures the successful delivery of complex residential developments, combining innovative design with a deep understanding of client priorities to create vibrant, functional, and cost-effective urban living spaces. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, clear communication, and seamless coordination among multidisciplinary teams, resulting in exceptional outcomes.

Outside of her professional work, Vikkie is actively involved in various volunteer initiatives. During the weekends throughout the tour season, she serves as a tour guide with Toronto Society of Architects for the East Bayfront and St. Lawrence area, providing visitors with an architectural perspective on the city and its built environment. As a volunteer for Across U-Hub, she organized programs that connect young people with their city, fostering character development and community engagement. One of these initiatives is the City Mosaic scavenger hunt, which highlights Toronto’s rich cultural landscape. Vikkie also participates in environmental causes, such as tree planting and Earth Hour. One of her annual highlights is being part of the operations team for the Yee Hong Geriatric Care’s “Dragon Ball” Fundraising Gala, which takes place around Chinese New Year.