TSA CONNECT 2023 | Session 3: Volunteering

Jennifer Esposito is a registered Architect with the Ontario Association of Architects. She graduated with a post-professional Master of Architecture II from Harvard University Graduate School of Design (2012) and previously earned a Master of Architecture (2007) and a Bachelor of Architectural Studies with Highest Distinction (2005) from Carleton University where she was named to the RAIC Honour Roll. She is also a recipient of the Canada Council for the Arts JBC Watkins Award, which enabled her to pursue postgraduate education beyond Canadian borders.

Jennifer has over 15 years of professional practice experience across Canada and the United States. She is currently an Associate at Superkül (Toronto, ON). Additional work experience includes Associate at MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects (Halifax, NS), Pin/Taylor Architects (Yellowknife, NT), Brown + Storey Architects (Toronto, ON), LUCE et studio (San Diego, CA), and William Rawn Associate Architects (Boston, MA).  

Jennifer is passionate about teaching and mentorship in the profession.  She has taught at Harvard GSD (Career Discovery Program), Dalhousie University, the University of Waterloo, and Toronto Metropolitan University where she is currently an Assistant Professor.  She also volunteers her time as a mentor to OAA and NSAA Intern Architects as well as students in the Carleton Alumni Mentorship Program and Harvard GSD’s Women in Design. Jennifer is currently a member of Harvard GSD’s Alumni Council acting as Co-Chair for the 2023 Harvard GSD Alumni Award Jury and Co-Chair of the 2023-2024 Governance Committee. She is the current Chair of the Executive Committee of Building Equality in Architecture Toronto (BEAT). 

Carolyn is an architect and urban designer with international and local professional experience. She manages projects at all design phases, from initial concept and municipal approvals to construction. 

At SvN in her role as Senior Associate, she focuses on prominent multi-unit residential projects, transit-oriented communities, and significant master plans shaping the future of our city. Before joining SvN, Carolyn worked at several award-winning architecture firms, honing her expertise on complex projects with multiple stakeholders. Carolyn holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in architecture from the University of Waterloo. She is a member of the Ontario Association of Architects, the Toronto Society of Architects and the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada. Carolyn is actively involved with the design and development community, notably with the Urban Land Institute, contributing to the Curtner Urban Leadership Program’s steering committee. She also enjoys being a facilitator for UrbanPlan, an immersive program for high school students to learn about development, and participating as a guest reviewer for student reviews at the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo.

Diana is an architectural designer. She holds a B.Sc.Arch from McGill University and has worked for architecture practices both in Toronto and Montréal.

Diana’s interest in volunteering has been greatly enhanced by her involvement with the DesignTO Festival as a Membership Coordinator. Prior to joining DesignTO Team and during her student years, she volunteered for several McGill clubs including Architecture Students’ Association where she served as VP Communications. She currently works at Lebel & Bouliane.

Karl is a Senior Architect and Associate at BDP Quadrangle. A Certified Passive House Consultant, he brings a passion for sustainable design to the studio and has worked on a wide range of architectural typologies both locally and internationally. Some of his more recent volunteer experience includes work with the OAA’s Sustainable Built Environments Committee (SBEC), mentoring students interested in pursuing a career in sustainability as part of the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) Mentorship Program, and regularly attending Toronto Metropolitan University’s Master of Architecture program as a guest advisor.

Stephanie Mah, CAHP, is a strategist and designer with a diverse background in architectural history and theory, digital media, and environmental and technology studies. She is the Creative Director at Giaimo, a Toronto-based architecture firm that integrates design, conservation, and sustainability, as well as a member of the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP). Her current projects and research focus on community placemaking, cultural heritage, and conservation and circular design in the built environment. Since 2014, Stephanie has been involved with the charitable non-profit Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) in a variety of volunteer roles, and currently serves as the President of ACO’s Toronto Branch. She also sits on the Board of the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area, the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada (SSAC) Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Sustainability Committee, and is a past member of City of Toronto’s Montgomery’s Inn Museum Art Committee. Her multi-disciplinary background allows her to provide unique insights in architecture, landscape architecture, urbanism, and heritage conservation through research, writing, creative strategy, design thinking, content development, community engagement, programming, and placemaking.

Aman is a Manager of Product Design and Development with over 10 years of experience in the design and development of residential and commercial projects. He has worked in the Middle East and Canada, with a focus on residential towers, office buildings, hotels, and retail malls.

Aman strongly believes in the innovation of ideas through an iterative design process. With a focus on design excellence, he collaborates with a team of expert designers, architects, and developers to envision and construct outstanding built forms and spaces for the community.

Additionally, Aman is one of the co-founders of SOSA and currently serves as the organization’s Treasurer. SOSA is a not-for-profit group dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the fields of architecture and design. It was established in 2021 by a small group of architects who recognized the need for a community-based professional organization to advocate for the interests of architecture and design professionals in Canada.

Natasha H. Krickhan Architect, OAA, LEED AP, B.E.S., B.Arch.

Natasha is a Principal at HaNK Architecture + Interiors Inc. She is a current Board Member (Councillor) of the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) and serves as a Mentor for 3 Intern Architects.

She has also participated in The Enbridge® Ride to Conquer Cancer® from 2010 to 2016, a 220 km charity bicycle ride throughout the Ontario countryside, benefiting Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. She received a special gold event helmet in recognition of this achievement and raised $30K in donations. Natasha is also a current volunteer at St. Patrick’s Parish, Toronto, as a choir member since 2016, and is a Past Member of the Fairmont Toastmasters Club and has held positions of President and Vice President of Public Relations.

Barbora is Principal of Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc., a practice focused on distinct, individualized residential design solutions for people: who they are, and what they want to do. A former RAIC Syllabus mentor and part-time professor at George Brown College, she is passionate about architectural education for young professionals and promoting the value of architecture to the public.

Barbora has been serving on the TSA Executive since 2015. She plays a key role in leading several of the TSA’s initiatives, including our Building Tours, Home Tours, and the Architects Talk and Open Studio programs as part of Doors Open Toronto.

Jasper is a Planning student at University of Waterloo with an interest in bottom up planning that involves all community members. He began volunteering with Urban Minds in the spring as a way to help expose youth in his community to the urban design and planning pathways that he wished he had learned about sooner. Jasper has youth volunteer experience ending his 7 year long army cadet journey this past winter as the Leader of his area’s corps. He hopes that facilitating youth engagement in his field of study will lead to more informed and participatory citizens.

Currently, Anna is a Director of the Canadian Architectural Certification Board.  The CACB’s mandate is to certify education of architectural graduates; accredit professional programs at Canadian universities; certify qualifications of broadly experienced foreign architects; and conduct research related to architectural accreditation and academic certification. 

Anna was jointly appointed by both ROAC (Regulatory Organizations Architecture Canada) and CCUSA (Council of Canadian University Schools of Architecture).  Since January 2021, Anna’s roles have included Training Committee member (2021), Training Committee Chair (2022- 2023), Governance Committee Chair (2022), Executive Secretary (2022), and Research Committee member (2022-2023).

As a member of the OAA’s Interns’ Committee from 2018 to 2020, Anna led the subcommittee focused on outreach to students of architecture.  Continuing interest in the experience of emerging professionals has led to participation with the CACB while also serving as a member of an OAA regulatory committee.

Anna has engaged in the broader community by volunteering in the public school system, including as Building Committee Chair and as Parents’ School Council Chair and supported participation in sports through the Toronto Swim Club with Swim Canada.

A practicing architect located in Toronto, Anna is the founder of Anna Richter Architect and currently president of AR Architects Inc. Over decades, projects have involved engaging with large, global collaborative teams as well as multifaceted and interdisciplinary, solo and small team endeavours.

Quan is the inaugural Emerging Practitioner Fellow (‘23-25) at Waterloo Architecture. He is currently an Associate at SvN Architects + Planners.  As a licensed architect and educator, he founded Never Only Architecture Inc. in 2022, a Toronto-based studio that strives to develop innovative architectural responses through socially, environmentally, and technologically informed design. His practice builds on ten years of experience working on high-profile conceptual and built work across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. His interests and expertise in practice and academia span from the scale of community planning and engagement to the detail and materiality of interiors and furniture design.

Quan earned his Bachelor of Architectural Studies at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture (‘13), followed by his Master of Architecture at McGill University (‘15). During his graduate studies, Quan won first place in a design competition for his rethinking of industrial lands to foster sustainable and regenerative communities through urban agricultural research in Montreal’s Pointe-Saint-Charles. Subsequently, he presented his work at sustainability symposiums that spoke to innovative urban strategies for self-sustaining communities.

Most recently, Quan designed and led “Ontario Place: Narrating Past, Present, and Potential” (‘23), an exhibition that brought together the voices of students, academics, urban activists, and the general public to reconcile the narrative of Ontario Place’s position as a public asset. The exhibition received funding from the School of Cities Small Programs Grant and the Ontario Association of Architects Public Awareness Award for his dissemination of research to enrich the conversation of public engagement within larger city-building initiatives.

Quan built his experience working at offices in Toronto, Montreal, Paris and New York City.  This included Superkul, Atelier Barda, Dominique Perrault Architecture and WORKac, where he led and contributed to numerous well published projects including a thoughtful addition and renovation to a Tudor-style home, as well as an international music company’s new headquarters. Quan served as Assistant Professor at the School of Interior Design at Toronto Metropolitan University during the 2021-2022 academic year and has  continued to lecture part-time at the School of Interior Design, as well as the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design at the University of Toronto. 

Quan remains connected to his community as a volunteer for various events and organizations.  Currently, he is engaged with The 519 as a volunteer team lead, a tour guide with the Toronto Society of Architects, and a Mentor to early career professionals through the Ontario Association of Architects IAP program. 

Elisia Neves is a licensed Architect with the Ontario Association of Architects, and CEO of Fabrik Architects. Her work is inspired by every project’s unique story and context, founded on the belief that quality design should be accessible to everyone.

In addition to leading successful projects throughout Ontario, Elisia mentors young female STEAM professionals and prioritizes creating work opportunities for students, interns, and young professionals. She regularly participates as a guest critic at the School of Architecture at the University of Waterloo.

As a professional Interior Designer with over 30 years of professional commercial experience in the Design industry, I have had many experiences that have led to volunteer opportunities that have enriched my career and life.

At an early stage in my career, I realized volunteering was in my DNA. I began volunteering as an invited guest critic, to review and share professional opinions and insights for 3rd and 4th year students project work at TMU School of Interior Design (formerly Ryerson University). That experience led my curiosity to learn about contributing to the academic world as a part-time instructor, while continuing as a practitioner.

Currently, I volunteer with a number of organizations, including the Design Industry Advisory Committee serving as one of several other professional directors (DIAC), and participating with the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) as a trained site visitor, while continuing my interest in contributing as a guest critic for a number of Design programs.

Why do I volunteer?

There are many reasons why I volunteer my time. Yes, it’s an opportunity to meet other professionals, grow your network/connections, improve your listening skills, and strengthen our profession. There are many reasons why people volunteer, each person with their own story and journey. But the real reason why I volunteer is that it keeps me relevant, is extremely rewarding, and instills a sense of purpose while giving back to the industry at large.

Sabrina Carinci, ARIDO is Director, Real Estate Strategies with Flat Iron Building Group. Over the course of her 20-year career in the design and construction industry she has volunteered extensively with the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) in various capacities. Currently, Sabrina is President of the Association’s Board of Management.

Sabrina is a registered interior designer, project management professional, and a change management practitioner. Her unique skillset in workplace strategy, design, and pre-construction strengthens her impacts on construction projects, while her project management expertise keeps work on time and on budget.

Julia Rady is a historian who received her doctorate from the University of Toronto. She has transposed her academic background in Canadian history into the heritage field where she works as a cultural heritage specialist at Stevens Burgess Architect Ltd. in Toronto. Interested in the way spaces and places provide a way of understanding a shared past in all its complexities, Julia’s work includes heritage evaluation, assessments, and interpretation plans.

Throughout her career, Julia has looked for opportunities to continue to learn and to grow in her profession. She works with the Osgoode Society for Canadian Legal History, continues to lecture, and volunteers. She has sat on the board of the Multicultural History Society of Ontario (MHSO) for over a decade and is currently the Vice Chair of the Toronto Preservation Board.

Sandra Iskandar is a community minded individual who enjoys blurring the lines between architecture, art, place making and community and who seeks to take on projects with a purpose. She is a licensed architect who has established her own practice and is a bilingual architectural educator. Her professional experiences entail public and cultural sector, heritage, multi-sport games combined with sustainability and social justice. She is currently working with Collaborative Architecture Inc whose mandate is focused on sustainability. As a lead bilingual architectural educator with no9 Contemporary Art and the Environment, she teaches urban planning, architecture, and the 9 pillars of sustainability. Her current focus in volunteerism is with the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives where she is a Board Director of the Friends of PAMA and is chair of the Collections and Programming Committee. She is also a member of Open Architecture Collaborative collaborating on the St-James ‘Cool Spot’ project.  Her long-standing involvement with the Corktown Residents and Business Association, where she was past president, has allowed her to lead initiatives focused on the rejuvenation and ongoing maintenance of Waterfront Toronto’s Underpass Park and Corktown Common.

As Managing Partner, Guela integrates the diverse strengths of sister practices ARK | PETROFF to advance work in the realm of Public-Private-Partnerships. Built on a 65+ year history, the firms’ award-winning portfolio is driven by a collaborative approach to design which balances community voices in the context of user needs, long term asset management and evidence-based design. Receiving both international and local recognition, accolades result from challenging the boundaries of architecture to integrate art and culture, urban, interior and graphic design, cited as “… an excellent example of the profound ability of art and architecture to transform space and the human experience.”

Mirroring her professional pursuits, volunteer work has significantly informed and impacted Guela’s experience as an architect. Serving on the Vaughan Design Review Panel since 2015, Guela has had the privilege working closely with an exceptional group of design professionals which includes architects, planners, urban designers, traffic engineers and landscape architects committed to improving built form through design excellence. Without exception, the guidance offered to applicants is delivered with the singular goal of elevating the public realm. Both through a consistently professional attitude and thoughtful remarks, comments range from practical to theoretical. As the work presented by applicants seeking development approvals in Vaughan is generally of an exceptionally high standard and often complexity, the agility of the panel to comment on both large-scale urban design questions and intimate design details including materiality has directly impacted her own work in the ARK. Studio. It has advanced her critical faculties when reflecting upon or reviewing her own work and benefitted the design process with the ability to embrace the diverse perspectives of design team members and disciplines.

Concurrent with the volunteer work at the Vaughan DRP, Guela has contributed to architectural research through a robust bunch of academic endeavours locally at the OAA, IIDEX, AGO, OCAD, RAIC and internationally in the UK, Australia and China. Her commitment to advancing research is demonstrated by the receipt of CMHC grants, academic appointments, and invitations to lecture at conferences and universities both locally and internationally. Contributing to the discourse of architecture through volunteering has provided a lens on the profession beyond that achievable by practice alone.

Before moving to Hamilton in 2007, Drew Hauser, FRAIC worked at design firms in Toronto and Austria, joining mcCallumSather in 2011. He has been instrumental in advancing and raising the profile of architecture, sustainability and heritage design to the broader public, leading award-winning designs, speaking at conferences and being an active participant in the architectural community.

Through consistent lobbying efforts, he spearheaded the OAA hosting their annual convention in Hamilton in 2015 which showcased local talent to the architectural community across Ontario. During his tenure as the Chair of the Hamilton Burlington Society of Architects, (2006-2014) Drew creatively connected the diverse and vibrant community, resulting in significant increases in membership and increasing corporate sponsorship.

Throughout his career he has challenged and mentored architects to deliver exceptional, thoughtful design, bringing energy and advocacy to his peers. Drew hopes to bring this passion and experience to the RAIC, continuing to raise the profile of the profession, promoting heritage, the importance of sustainable design and making architecture accessible.

Further demonstrating his support of advancing the industry and wider community, Drew has been responsible for local architecture initiatives including Architecture Crawl, Doors Open and Art Gallery of Hamilton Film Festival.  He has been secretary to Hamilton Downtown Rotary, Membership Committee for CAHP, Hamilton Art & Archives Committee, Music & the Mind Co-chair fundraising ambassador, and Toronto Junction BIA executive.

Dedicated to delivering excellence from concept design to construction, Ossie strongly believes that a balanced experience of all phases is critical to the holistic understanding of architecture.

Ossie has contributed to the delivery and successful execution of a variety of projects in the UK and Canada and brings experience working in various sectors including education, commercial, mixed-use, cultural, residential and infrastructure. Joining BDP Quadrangle in 2019, Ossie is currently leading the development of Bathurst Assembly, a 13-storey commercial building leveraging mass timber and modular construction in downtown Toronto, as well as several master planning projects that are reimagining existing mall sites as residential-focused mixed-use developments. A highly valued member of BDP Quadrangle’s studio who prides his professional approach on developing strong interpersonal relationships, Ossie takes an active role in mentoring, is on the steering committee for the ULI Curtner Urban Leadership Program and sits on our Emerging Leaders Network and Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging teams.

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.