TSA Portfolio & Resume Clinic 2026

Alana O’Halloran is an Associate and Architect in Arcadis’ Toronto Transit Studio. Having worked in the AEC industry for 10+ years with a focus on transit facilities, Alana has a broad range of experience cultivated through working on projects in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and internationally in the United States, United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. In her spare time, Alana is a member of the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association Development Committee, which works with the City and developers to provide input to development applications from the perspective of safeguarding the characteristics of the historic St. Lawrence neighbourhood and improving the public realm. Alana is also passionate about mentoring and supporting emerging practitioners in the field of architecture. She regularly participates in Toronto Metropolitan University’s portfolio review sessions and mock interviews, and has served as a past TSA Open Studio volunteer for the annual City of Toronto Doors Open event.

A graduate from the University of Waterloo School of Architecture, Alba Zagorcani is a skilled architect with significant experience designing and managing residential projects of varying scales and types. From mid-rise and high-rise buildings to condominium and rental developments, Alba is well versed in how to deliver successful residential projects for clients and the people who inhabit them.

Since arriving at KPMB in 2021, Alba has proven to be an effective project leader due to the breadth of her capabilities, including her refined design sensibility and technical proficiency. She is a skilled manager of internal project teams and a constructive collaborator with clients and consultants.

Motivated by her belief in dignified, affordable housing as a human right and the foundation for social equity, Alba approaches its design with the same rigour as market-rate developments. She sees constraints as an opportunity for creativity and innovation in the pursuit of efficient and humane housing.

A graduate of the University of Toronto’s Master of Architecture program, Amanda discovered early on that her favourite part of the design process wasn’t developing the technical drawings—it was communicating the impact a building had on its users and environment. Over the past 15 years, Amanda has built a career at the intersection of brand strategy, communications, and business development. She is currently the Marketing Director at Gow Hastings Architects. 

Devoted to the art of the pitch, she leads complex proposal submissions and has developed a sharp eye for what makes a candidate stand out in a sea of applications. She approaches the job hunt through the lens of strategic storytelling, teaching job seekers how to: reclaim the cover letter as a space to express who you are and the value you bring, articulate impact on your resume so you are seen as more than just a list of software skills, and narrate the portfolio to demonstrate your ‘why’ (design decisions), not just a gallery of your ‘what’ (final result).

BArchSc, DipID, ARIDO, IDC, NCIDQ, RHFA

Cohen (who goes by her last name) is an award-winning designer celebrated for her expertise in large-scale, complex institutional projects. With a background in both interior design and architecture, Cohen brings a holistic approach to designing buildings from the inside out. Her work is defined by an exquisite interplay of light, thoughtful material selections, strategic use of colour, and a selection of furnishings that work harmoniously to elevate the overall spatial experience of every building.

Cohen is known for her methodical, hands-on, collaborative style from early concept through completion, and is able to translate client’s visions and aspirations into elevated, thoughtful, design solutions that are timeless and beautiful. Her passion for equitable and universal design is also integral to her design process. She leads stakeholder explorations around cultural, physical, and gender sensitives to support and enhance the user experience. Cohen is also a Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) Professional and helps promote conversations and design solutions that improve meaningful use and equitable experiences of her projects.

Some of Cohen’s most notable projects include the Seneca Polytechnic Health & Wellness Centre and the recently completed Centennial College A Building Expansion in Toronto; the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia; and the Etihad Museum in Dubai, completed during her tenure at Moriyama Teshima Architects. She also led the interior design of the Regent Park Aquatic Centre in Toronto and the Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre in Edmonton earlier in her career at MJMA.

Christopher Chan is an Associate Architect with the Arcadis transit studio and specializes in large scale transit architecture projects. He is a detail-oriented designer who has experience working in the design and construction of major public transportation projects and sports & recreation facilities. He holds both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in architecture from the University of Waterloo and has gained experience working on projects and firms in Canada and the United States.

Christopher excels at customer-first transit design, transit-oriented communities design, client and stakeholder engagement, and project management. Most recently, he has served as the architectural technical advisor for the underground segment of the Yonge North Subway Extension.

Christopher has a passion for designing quality buildings and infrastructure that will have lasting impacts on cities and enhance public experience. He possesses a well-rounded knowledge of transit projects at all phases of construction and proven to be able to handle a wide range of complex technical design challenges. Christopher is also a frequent guest reviewer or portfolios and mock interviews at TMU and enjoys mentoring students and intern architects.

As Associate Principal and part of Dubbeldam’s leadership team, Derek brings over 15 years of experience in design leadership and technical execution across multiple sectors. His expertise spans mass timber construction, hospitality environments, and complex residential and cultural projects. His international experience in the Netherlands and Asia informs his approach to collaborative project delivery, giving him a strong understanding of global standards and cross-cultural communication.

More recently, Derek has been closely involved in the firm’s work at the forefront of Toronto’s evolving housing framework, including projects responding to the City’s newest legislation aimed at increasing density and expanding housing options along Major Streets. Through this work, Derek contributes to Dubbeldam’s broader mission to create bold, sustainable, and liveable housing.

Harim currently has 18 years of experience. Joining BDP Quadrangle in 2012, Harim imparts his strong skills for the concept and schematic design phases in a wide variety of work. His work at the firm includes projects of various scales and typologies, such as CG Tower, a 60-storey mixed-use residential and commercial building in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre; DUKE Condos in the Junction neighbourhood, a street-focused residential mid-rise; and the design of the master plan for the British Columbia Children’s and Women’s Hospital in downtown Vancouver. Harim’s role involves leading design development and consultant coordination on large mixed-use projects, as well as leading various international design competitions, most recently in Dubai and China such as the Automotive Training Academy in Dubai and Wuxi Healing Factory in China. His previous experience includes projects within the institutional, residential and mixed-use sectors, and contributing as a guest studio critic at OCAD University and Sheridan College.

Janna Levitt co-founded LGA Architectural Partners with Dean Goodman in 1993 with a vision to help diverse and often under-resourced clients to realize places that spark positive cultural and environmental change. Through research, public consultation, and design Janna aims to improve lives: creating places that advance equity, wellness and community, educating and mentoring the next generation of designers, and collaborating with artists, scientists and others to draw attention to pressing issues impacting our world.

Janna has earned wide respect for her inquisitive, thoughtful and imaginative approaches that demonstrate fresh possibilities for everyday living. Her diverse initiatives – such as community hubs that foster arts and culture, public spaces that connect citizens with ecology, and residences that contribute to equitable cities — underscore the expansive role that architects play in redesigning our world.

Her noteworthy recent projects include the MABELLEarts Pavilion and Park that uplifts a historically underserved, high density neighborhood populated by newcomers to Canada with a dynamic hub for creativity and community; Evergreen Brickworks’ Kiln Building 16, that sensitively arrested the deterioration of a historic Toronto landmark and expanded its purpose from artifact to a carbon-neutral event and education centre; Stackt, that transformed a pending development site into an ever-evolving shipping-container retail market and cultural hub; and Rehousing – an online resource that she developed with members of the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, and Design at University of Toronto to empower citizen developers to convert single-family homes into multi-unit housing.

Janna’s love of architecture extends to teaching, mentoring and community causes. She has held teaching appointments at University of Waterloo, University of Toronto, and Dalhousie University. She regularly lectures and serves on award juries across North America and abroad. She presently sits on Toronto’s Waterfront Toronto Design Review Panel. In 2015 she led the creation of an annual scholarship fund for an Indigenous student entering Laurentian University’s McEwen School of Architecture.

Janna was made a Fellow of the RAIC in 2009. She received the 2018 G. Randy Roberts Service Award from the Ontario Association of Architects. In 2019 she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Green Building Council, and she was named as one of the top 30 “Essential Women in Architecture and Design” by Azure Magazine.

Janna attended Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) in Halifax and The Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston before finalizing her Honors Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Toronto. She graduated from the Master in Architecture Program at University of Toronto.

With her consummate people skills, Jenny Hyatt is invaluable at ensuring a smooth and happy process throughout her projects. She is adept at facilitating user group meetings and design sessions, coordinating consultants and chairing construction meetings. Under her leadership, all participants, even construction workers, are engaged and committed to project success. Jenny has an extraordinary ability to integrate program, adjacency and user requirements into designs that are functional and economical. She is experienced in all aspects of project delivery from programming through to contract administration and facilitating the LEED application process.

John McKenna (BArch, BArch.Sci, MBA) is a Principal at gh3*, a Toronto-based design practice. Since joining the firm in 2011, he has contributed to a wide range of projects—from small park pavilions to civic master plans and municipal infrastructure buildings.

He played a key coordination role on the award-winning Borden Park Natural Swimming Pool, gaining first-hand insight into the architect’s increasingly multidisciplinary role on complex public projects. He is currently overseeing the Tamil Community Centre in Scarborough, ON.

John holds an MBA from IE Business School in Madrid, where he focused on management strategies for creative-sector firms. As a key contributor to gh3*’s business development and communications, he works closely with firm leadership to shape and advance the practice’s strategic vision.

He is particularly interested in the evolving roles and responsibilities of the architect—both within and beyond traditional design practice—in a rapidly changing professional landscape.

Kate Brownlie joined Superkül after working at award-winning firms in Toronto, New York, and Berlin. With expertise in affordable housing and accessibility, she holds a Bachelor of Architectural Studies and Master of Architecture from the University of Waterloo School of Architecture, where she contributed to various student-run initiatives and publications; she subsequently taught at Waterloo as an adjunct professor upon graduation.  Kate has participated in large-scale art exhibitions and cultural projects focused on community activation, and currently works on the firm’s small project team.

Leo Lin, B.E.S., M.Arch., OAA, is an indispensable member of the GPA team who has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in project design and execution. He joined GPA in 2014 as Project Architect/Intermediate Designer and became Principal in 2022. Holding an undergraduate degree in Urban and Regional Planning with a specialization in Urban Design from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Architecture from the University of Toronto, Leo’s unique background in both urban design and architecture brings lateral and creative insight to all aspects of the design process.

As Principal, Leo brings his expertise to the studio by championing a roster of projects at all scales, assuring the superior quality and success of our designs, while providing mentorship to foster the next generation of talented architects and designers in the studio. He is an active member of the design community beyond GPA, having taught as a Sessional Lecturer for design studios at the University of Toronto, and serving as a panelist at the Design Review Panel for the City of London. Leo is additionally a frequent guest critic at various design institutions including the University of Waterloo, the University of Toronto, and OCAD University.

Mark Langridge (OAA / FRAIC / LEED AP) is an architect and partner of DTAH with over 35 years of wide-ranging architectural and urban design experience including residential, community, and infrastructure projects, with a special expertise in bridge architecture and aesthetics. He has a strong interest in designing and implementing urban projects that enhance the public realm through integration of architecture and landscape.

Mark has led DTAH’s bridge design and enhancement portfolio over the past 25 years, including award-winning projects such as Garrison Crossing and Glen Road Pedestrian Bridge in Toronto, and Vimy Memorial Bridge and Flora Footbridge in Ottawa. In recent years he has also led several City of Toronto shelter projects that adaptively re-use existing buildings, as well as church renovations that integrate new community uses.

Since 2018, Michele Gucciardi has served as Design Director for Turner Fleischer Architects, leading the growth of their design capabilities and elevating project outcomes across all typologies. His leadership begins at the earliest stages of design—shaping site strategies, guiding vision development, and refining key architectural moves through to the finest details. Educated at the Politecnico di Torino in Italy, he is an accomplished Architect with over 25 years of international experience.

Olivia Keung is an architect with a deep commitment to building a regenerative, low carbon future. As Director of Sustainability at MTA, she works closely with project teams to build a vision that comprehensively addresses climate change, biodiversity loss, resource scarcity, and social impact. She is currently the Project Architect on a number of community and cultural projects including the Science North Expansion, the Simcoe County Museum Innovation Gallery addition, and the Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre.

She played a key role on the Limberlost Place for George Brown College, Canada’s first tall, mass timber, zero carbon academic tower. Olivia has served in numerous advocacy roles that enable her to push for broader climate action and environmental justice, including a current role as a Sustainability Advisor on the City of Toronto’s Design Review Panel. She was the past Co-Chair of the RAIC’s Advisory Committee on Equity and Justice, as well as a frequent speaker on low carbon design and high performing buildings.

Sandra Iskandar, OAA, MRAIC, rejoined the GBCA team in 2023, after a decade of challenging architectural ventures including principal for her own firm (Sandra Iskandar Architect) and several years with the Pan American Games Infrastructure Department preparing for the games held in Toronto in 2015. These experiences have exposed her to a spectrum of projects in the public, private and non-for-profit sector. Sandra’s personal interests in culture and adaptive re-use – where the integration of contemporary architectural expression is carefully weaved into the historic urban fabric – have heavily influenced her professional development.

Sandra holds a professional degree in Architecture from Carleton University, where she was an Associate Professor for first year Architectural Design Studio. 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 no9 Contemporary Art and Environment. Volunteer work includes serving as the Vice Chair of the Hamilton and Burlington Society of Architects, being the treasurer of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, Hamilton Chapter and acting as director and committee chair with the Friends of the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives. Recently, Sandra completed the Indigenous Canada course with the University of Alberta to broaden her knowledge of Indigenous culture and the lands we build upon.

She is fluent both in French and English.

Sharon is an Associate of Montgomery Sisam Architects, and Manager in the Marketing & Business Development team. Prior to her current position in marketing for the firm, she worked in architectural practice as well as set design for feature film productions. She has expertise in all phases of architectural development from concept design through to contract administration, on projects such as the CHUM Superhospital in Montreal and the Senate Chamber of Canada. She has also worked on sets for major motion pictures such as X-Men, Days of Future Past, and Robert Zemeckis’ The Walk. Over her career she has accumulated skills in creative collaboration in large teams on complex work, as well as disseminating complicated ideas into simple, compelling, and graphically strong imagery. Sharon brings this knowledge to her current work for MSA within the marketing team. She puts a strong emphasis on graphic representation in every initiative she undertakes, acknowledging the importance of aesthetically clear communication that is accessible to a broad public.

Tyler’s conviction is that the primary aim of design should be the improvement of human well-being and the health of our urban and natural environments. He brings a keen design sense and rigorous approach to every project, balancing elegant simplicity with attention to materials and detailing to create functional and contextually meaningful architecture that realizes the aspirations of the communities with whom he works. With a wide-ranging portfolio that encompasses community, athletics and recreation, and campus architecture, he has been a key contributor to the research and advancement of sustainable design and construction at MJMA, particularly mass timber structures.

OAA, AIBC, FRAIC

B.Sc. (Arch) (McGill), M.Arch (McGill), LEED AP

Vanessa is the Principal Architect at VFA Architecture + Design an innovative architecture and interior design studio specializing in holistic, contextually specific, and forward-looking custom design. A graduate of McGill University with over a decade of architectural experience, Vanessa remains a curious explorer – innovation in design and constructability along with the need to create spaces that positively impact human health and wellness are at the core of Vanessa and her firm’s values. Recognized for excellence in architectural design, Vanessa was inducted to the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s College of Fellows in 2024. That same year, VFA was also recognized as an emerging Canadian Architectural Practice by Twenty Plus Change and Canadian Architect.

A strong believer in giving back to the community, Vanessa currently sit’s on the Ontario Association of Architects Complaints Committee and has previously served five years as a Council member for the OAA, the governing and regulatory body for architects in Ontario; four of those years as OAA Vice President Communications, driven by a belief in the architectural community’s obligation to educate the public and decision makers about the value of architecture. Vanessa also sat as Chair of the Design Industry Advisory Committee, a think tank and cross-disciplinary research group which promotes the strategic value of design and the contribution of designers from all disciplines to economic, social and environmental goals.

Wes Wilson is a Principal at Teeple Architects, where he leads civic and academic projects across Canada, including libraries, university buildings, and other public institutions. His work explores the relationship between architectural intent, material systems, and construction craft, with a focus on how buildings move from concept to constructed reality. Working closely with engineers, fabricators, and contractors from early design through construction, he is interested in how coordination, detailing, and manufacturing intelligence can strengthen both performance and expression. Wes views architecture as a public act, work that shapes shared environments and carries cultural value beyond its immediate function. His approach balances technical rigor with design ambition and is grounded in the belief that well-made buildings contribute meaningfully to civic life over time.

Adam is a Technical Recruiter at Axis Recruitment, specializing in the architecture and engineering sectors. Through his work, he has had extensive conversations with new immigrants and recent graduates working to establish themselves in the Canadian job market. He has seen firsthand how challenging it can be to break into the field, whether due to limited local experience, portfolio gaps, or an increasingly competitive and evolving industry.

These conversations motivated Adam to go beyond recruitment and contribute to more structured support for early career professionals. He is committed to helping job seekers feel prepared, informed, and confident in how they position themselves. His focus is on providing practical guidance, clear feedback, and honest insight so candidates can move forward with direction, even in a difficult market.

Adam has been volunteering at the Toronto Society of Architects’ Portfolio & Resume Clinic annually and has been involved in planning career focused workshops through the Society of South Asian Architects, further supporting emerging professionals within the industry.

Gretchen is the Marketing Director at Cumulus Architects, a Toronto-based architecture practice working across healthcare, heritage, institutional, and civic projects. With over a decade of experience in A/E/C marketing and business development, she leads firmwide strategy for proposals, pursuits, communications, and industry partnerships, working closely with architects and project teams to position complex projects. Gretchen also serves on the board of the Ontario chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) as Director of Programming. SMPS is a professional association dedicated to advancing marketing and business development within the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. In this role, she curates educational programming and networking events that connect marketers, business development professionals, and industry leaders supporting the A/E/C sector. Before joining the architecture industry, Gretchen worked in programming and event development for urban policy and placemaking organizations supporting both local and international initiatives.

Leiza Kaufman is a Senior Recruitment Consultant specializing in the Architecture and Interior Design industry. With over a decade of experience in recruitment, including the past five years dedicated to the A&D sector, she brings a strong understanding of both the hiring landscape and the design community.

Leiza partners with architecture and design firms across all levels and functions, and has built a well-established network within the A&D community. Her experience on both the client and candidate side gives her clear insight into what firms are looking for and how professionals can position themselves effectively.

Having supported hundreds of professionals through career transitions, Leiza regularly provides guidance on resumes, portfolios, and interview strategy, helping individuals present their experience with clarity and confidence.

Neil Corbilla is an accomplished architect with extensive experience in residential developments, ranging from low-rise projects to complex mixed-use high-rise buildings. His professional background equips him with the foresight, organizational skills, and detailed understanding necessary for successful design and complex construction projects. Neil’s passion for architecture and project management has driven him to earn both OAA and PMP accreditations. He excels in collaborative environments where he can blend design innovation with technical precision and constructability considerations. Dedicated to balancing aesthetic design with practical challenges, Neil ensures successful project delivery from conception to completion.

Neil thrives in settings that allow him to leverage his design expertise and organizational abilities to devise creative solutions to intricate problems. Since joining our team, he has led significant residential and mixed-use projects including Park Place Block 1, 2323 Yonge St, and 6080 Yonge St Condos.

Shay is the Founder of Axis Recruitment, a firm specialized in recruitment for the built environment, connecting architecture, engineering, and construction professionals with leading employers across Canada. She is actively involved in supporting the industry through events, sponsorships, and initiatives with organizations such as the Society of South Asian Architects, the Society for Marketing Professional Services, and the Toronto Society of Architects, among others.

Working with candidates navigating the challenges of entering the industry everyday, Shay understands how difficult it can be to secure a role, whether due to lack of local experience or repeated job rejections. In a slower market, those challenges are amplified. While hiring cycles may fluctuate, Shay believes candidates can take control of how they present themselves through stronger resumes, portfolios, and applications.

Recognizing that recruitment alone cannot always bridge the gap for newcomers and new graduates, Shay founded Axis Career Hub to provide direct access to experienced industry mentors through one on one coaching. The platform offers practical guidance and real insight into navigating the job market. Shay personally mentors candidates in career planning, interview preparation, and resume and portfolio strategy, helping them build clarity, confidence, and long term direction in their careers.

Vered Klein is a passionate advocate for Architecture and Interior Design professionals, dedicated to helping them thrive in their careers. With over 20 years of experience as a recruitment expert, she has been involved in hundreds of hiring decisions with top firms and helped thousands of professionals secure fulfilling roles.

As the founder of Vered Klein Recruitment, she leads a team connecting architecture and interior design firms with top talent, making her a trusted partner for both candidates and employers. Through The Career Studio, she takes her expertise even further, offering a transformative program that equips professionals with the tools and strategies to stand out and secure roles they love.

Beyond recruitment, Vered has been actively involved in industry organizations like ARIDO, the Toronto Society of Architects, BAC DAC, and BEAT, providing career advice through industry events and her online Job Search Clinics.