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MEET THE SPEAKERS
Session One
WORKSHOP:
How to Utilize PR and Influencer Strategies
Jennifer Singh
CEO
She's Newsworthy Media
Jennifer Singh is a former TV reporter turned entrepreneur, speaker and CEO of She’s Newsworthy Media. Before entrepreneurship, Jennifer worked in the Canadian media industry for over 15 years as a reporter, producer and writer for CTV, CBC, Global and CP24. She has been featured in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Global News, CTV speaking and The Social speaking about imposter syndrome, women in business and the need for more inclusive marketing. Jennifer was also featured in a national campaign for International Women’s Day in partnership with Mercedes-Benz Canada and Pink Tartan.
Session Two
PANEL:
Futureproof your Business
Marla Baker
Founder & Business Development Specialist
MarlaBaker.ca
Marla Baker is a Business Development Specialist and recognized Design Community Advocate. Known as a matchmaker in the industry, Marla connects Architects and Designers with the brands, services, events and seminars that are meaningful to them.
Marla produces results for the companies she represents while supporting and understanding the needs of the Design Community.
Trevor Kruse
Registered Interior Designer, NCIDQ
CEO
Interior Designers of Canada (IDC)
Trevor Kruse is the founder (1999) and past Principal Designer of Hudson Kruse Design. In September of 2020, he retired from the firm to become the CEO with the profession’s national organization, the Interior Designers of Canada (IDC). As well as enjoying a 35-year career as a professional interior designer, Trevor has spent nearly three decades of volunteer service on provincial, national, and international boards.
Trevor graduated with a degree in Interior Design from Ryerson University and now sits on the Advisory Council for the School of Interior Design. He has been a role model for students and young designers; acting as mentor, teacher, and colleague to countless graduates from the ten recognized schools in Ontario. He received the Outstanding Achievement Award from Ryerson University in 2003 for his leadership and mentoring roles.
Trevor’s dedication, passion and leadership continues to advance the profession of Interior Design.
Stacey Cohen
Designer and Principal
Stacey Cohen Design
Driven by her passion for designing functional and sophisticated spaces to live, work and grow in, Stacey established Stacey Cohen Design in 2010. Beyond materializing her client’s vision into a reality, Stacey believes in providing the finest solutions to improve not just the aesthetic of a space, but the quality of work and living environments. With her skilled team of industry professionals at her side, she uses her meticulous approach to redefine the lifestyle and design experience one project at a time.
As the creative backbone of the firm, Stacey draws from her International Academy of Design & Technology education as well as her unique and bespoke aesthetic to ensure that the design outcome is thoughtful, functional and as unique as the client. With her years of hands-on industry experience, including working alongside a high-profile developer in Toronto, Stacey understands her clients’ needs and interprets their wishes and lifestyles through her commercial and residential designs.
Sam Sacks
Principal Designer
Sam Sacks Design Inc.
Sam Sacks is an established, award winning Toronto based firm with international reach. Sam's projects have appeared in every major Canadian design publication as well as House Beautiful and Elle Decor with mentions in Architectural Digest.
Her work reflects a deep understanding of her clients' needs, paired with a fundamental knowledge of architectural history and matched by wild inspiration. A story teller at heart, Sam believes great design is about capturing the essence of a person, a mood, a moment and translating it into something we can touch and feel.
Guided by the grounding principles of symmetry and scale, Sam is committed to bending the classics to create highly considered designs that read effortlessly cool.
Session Three
PANEL:
Recruitment Strategies & Building a Diverse Design Team
Sharon Portelli
CAE
Executive Director & Registrar
ARIDO
Sharon has worked in the not-for-profit sector since 1997, starting in the financial sector. In 2011, she transitioned to the construction and design sector in the role of Executive Director and Registrar with the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO). Her professional experience includes the development and enforcement of qualification standards for professions, competency-based assessments, regulatory frameworks and lobbying for public policy in support of safe interior environments in Ontario. In 2020, ARIDO undertook a commitment to the advancement of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility both within ARIDO as an organization and the profession.
Yasmien Fadl
Head of Workplace Design and Experience
TD Bank
Yasmien is Head of Workplace Design & Experience for TD Bank. Her role is to drive global workplace innovation, leading a team that activates experiences, enables flexibility and enhances collaboration for colleagues across the enterprise. She has spent her career creating resonant, inclusive and universal experiences with a human-centric focus. Her career spans consulting and client-based design and real estate strategy in workplace, retail and hospitality sectors.
Natalie Ramtahal
PhD Student, Manager of Administration & Equity
School of Interior Design at TMU
Natalie is the Manager of Administration and Equity in the School of Interior Design and a Ph.D. student in the joint Communication and Culture program at York/TMU. Natalie has worked in post-secondary education, research, policy, and equity and community inclusion (ECI) for over fifteen years. She is deeply committed to ECI and has worked to advance equity and diversity through her professional and volunteer work. Her own research looks at the potential of cryptocurrency as a form of wealth generation and remittance to the global south, specifically Jamaica and the Philippines.
Session Four
PANEL:
How to Utilize Commercial & Hospitality Channels to
Position your Firm for Growth
Michelle Mawby
Registered Interior Designer, NCIDQ, ARIDO, BCIN
Founder, Lucid Interior Design
Principal, Georgian Design Build
Michelle Mawby is an award winning, Registered Interior Designer with over 20 years of experience. She is Principal of the interior design and architecture team at Georgian Design Build and founder of Lucid Interior Design. Based in Toronto, Michelle has previously lived and worked in Amsterdam, London, England, California and Vancouver. She is NCIDQ certified, an ARIDO & IDC member, and BCIN qualified designer. Michelle is also a nationally renowned design expert frequently called on to share her expertise and knowledge on TV and in print.
An advocate of the philosophy, “form follows function”, Michelle strives to create environments that reflect the lives, personalities and expectations of her clients. Her extensive travels and continuing studies in design, history and architecture influence her designs culminating in sophisticated, livable elegance.
Eric McClelland
Registered Interior Designer, NCIDQ, ARIDO
Principal
Fleur-de-lis Interior Design
Eric McClelland moved to Toronto in 1986 after completing a Bachelor of Interior Design degree at the University of Manitoba. He spent the late-80’s and early-90’s working as a freelance designer for several firms and worked on projects such as 400 King Street, 40 sky boxes at the Skydome (Roger’s Centre), and the Hard Rock Café.
Eric co-founded Fleur-de-lis Interior Design in 1989 and has served as Principal for over 30 years. The firm’s notoriety has been built on a succession of residential and commercial projects in downtown Toronto as well as Winnipeg, Vancouver, NYC, Boston and Nassau, with several projects being featured in The Toronto Star, The National Post, The Globe and Mail, Condo Life, New Dreamhomes, Home and Décor, and Home by Design.
Eric served as a regular Guest Expert on City TV’s Cityline for almost 20 years, answering viewers’ design questions and creating on-the-spot sketches. His award-winning approach to design is centered on creating interiors that balance the client’s personality and detailed, creative use of materials to achieve timeless yet innovative designs.
Erika Floysvik
Founder & Managing Principal
FIA Interiors & Architecture
Erika Floysvik is an established entrepreneur and creative leader. She launched Fia Interiors & Architecture in 2001, then specializing in full-scale residential design and build projects. Her work graced the pages of House & Home Magazine, Toronto Life and Elle Décor, and garnered industry awards for design excellence.
In 2015, Erika transitioned her company into the retail and commercial sectors. Her firm caters to first-to-market clients opening stores across Canada for US and European-based clients. Their portfolio includes AWAY Travel, Balenciaga, Reformation, Thom Browne and Diesel.
Erika attributes her ability to maintain a stable, profitable, and ever-evolving business to an approach that is intentional, yet open and focused on the needs of her team and firm first.
