Creative Arts and Design

Aysanabee is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer-songwriter currently based in Toronto. He is Oji-Cree, Sucker Clan of the Sandy Lake First Nation, a remote fly-in community in Northwestern Ontario. In March 2024, Aysanabee made history as the first Indigenous artist to win the JUNO Award for Alternative Album of the Year and the coveted Songwriter of the Year for his most recent album Here and Now.

Amy Audibert is an unparalleled figure in Canadian sports history. Following a stellar athletic career at the University of Miami, Audibert returned to Ontario and earned a diploma in broadcasting - radio, television and film. She honed her media skills through years of unpaid commentating in gyms and arenas across North America. Her relentless pursuit of excellence and groundbreaking achievements as a female broadcaster culminated in her historic 2022 full-time hire by the NBA’s Miami Heat. Audibert’s dedication and trailblazing milestones highlight her remarkable journey and contributions to sports broadcasting.

Ricardo Gonzalez is a Mexican-born designer and artist living in Brooklyn, New York, who is earning worldwide exposure for his art. He has painted giant murals in Paris, Rome and Toronto and exhibited his work around the globe. Gonzalez says his colourful, whimsical script-style is a combination of typography, calligraphy, graffiti and inspiration from the street. He has worked with some of the world’s leading brands, including Apple, Google, Nike and Mercedes Benz. Gonzalez credits his college with nurturing his love for making art with his hands.

Jose Hadad is a revolutionary in the food business. With skills and knowledge acquired during his time at college, he introduced Canadians to an authentic Mexican food experience by infusing food with love and using only natural preservative-free and fresh ingredients. Hadad’s uncompromising standard of “Fresh is the DNA of the company” has earned him success in a competitive sector and respect as an employer and mentor. His fiery brand Mad Mexican includes a restaurant celebrating its tenth anniversary and a packaged food business that distributes to 300 retail outlets across Ontario.

Kenneth Jackson is an investigative reporter for APTN whose determination to get to the bottom of a story and empathy for unheard voices has made him a multi-award-winning force of nature. A four-year investigation into the tragic harm done to children in the Indigenous child welfare system not only brought light into darkness but changed policy and perceptions at all levels. Meanwhile, Jackson’s ongoing series examining the suspicious deaths of two young Mohawk men has caused the chief coroner to re-open the investigation in June 2024 after the families' concerns fell on deaf ears.

Marie-Josée Lalande is an entrepreneur, producer, teacher and content creator who has made her mark in broadcasting. She has collaborated, produced and co-produced thousands of vlogs, docu-series and documentaries for respected networks, tourism boards and corporate clients across the globe. Nominated for a Prix Gémeaux in 2018, Lalande has made it her mission to share her unconventional journey and demonstrate that there’s a place for Francophones in the online world, which she accomplishes through conferences, her filmmaking academy and her collaboration with La Cité.

Ryan Lindsay is an innovative force in the film and TV industry, driving his business, Kontent House, to new heights. He has recently collaborated with Canadian comedy series Trailer Park Boys and Bell Media to create “The Trades,” a witty portrayal of blue-collar life, which Lindsay penned and produced. Lindsay also co-founded the Culture Capture Project, which repatriates Indigenous artifacts through innovative 3D printing techniques, showcasing his dedication to storytelling and cultural preservation. Lindsay continues to push creative boundaries and make a lasting impact on both the entertainment industry and cultural heritage.

Jolene MacDonald believes that having a disability is a superpower. Inspired by the lived experiences of her family, the college-trained graphic designer and disability advocate launched Canada’s first design-focused marketing and communications agency in 2017. Through Accessibrand, MacDonald has embedded accessibility into the operations of more than 165 Canadian and international organizations. She has inspired and taught her competitors to prioritize accessibility and provided work opportunities and mentorship to over 50 professionals with disabilities. MacDonald’s vision of a design-abled accessible world was launched and built at her college, where she is a committed volunteer and program champion.

Dan MacDonald hosts the Dan MacDonald Show on AM 800 CKLW daily from 9 am to 12 pm, engaging listeners on local, national and international news. His call-in talk show features community leaders, newsmakers and experts. MacDonald actively supports charities, book clubs, galas and poetry nights. He advocates for the LGBTQ+ community and mental health and organizes Windsor Pride events. He also hosts CKLW's "Hear and Now," showcasing local musical talents. Describing his career as a blend of his passions for music and writing, MacDonald emphasizes the importance of community and audience connection.

Ginella Massa made history as Canada’s first hijab-wearing television reporter in 2015 while working for CTV News, and North America’s first news anchor in a hijab on CityNews the following year. In 2020, Massa joined CBC News as a special correspondent for The National and as host of her own prime-time show on CBC News Network, Canada Tonight with Ginella Massa. Massa continues to further the cause of diversity in Canadian media as the owner of a PR company, Massa Media and Communication Inc., and as a post-secondary journalism instructor.

Ramon Perez is an artist, designer and the managing director of the Royal Academy of Illustration & Design (RAID). He founded the micro-publisher at RAID and worked as an artist for clients like Owlkids, DC Comics and Marvel Entertainment, contributing to projects like Wolverine & The X-Men. Perez adapted the graphic novel Jim Henson’s Tales of Sand, which earned multiple awards. Perez’s’s original work also includes the graphic novel JANE and the ongoing series Stillwater.

Tim Porter is a seasoned arts professional who has been an innovator and champion of Canadian theatre for over two decades. In addition to founding Tweed & Company Theatre, Porter has penned numerous stage productions and directed a multitude of successful shows. Under his leadership, the company expanded to include three distinct venues and has won numerous accolades, including recognition as one of the top 100 festivals and events in Ontario. Porter’s dedication to accessibility, inclusivity and community engagement has profoundly impacted Canadian theatre, making the arts accessible to all.

Aaron Robitaille created Aaron Robitaille Design and developed notable branding for Haven Brewing Company. Her expertise spans large-scope murals, websites and mentoring local artists with work featured across Ontario. She has served as a teaching assistant and as vice chair and member on Artspace’s board of directors. Her college program’s comprehensive training and community partnerships were pivotal in Robitaille’s success, fostering a blend of art and design that continues to drive her career and contributions to the local arts community.

George Seara is a Juno Award-winning recording engineer and mixer who has worked with a diverse array of world-renowned artists across music genres since 1997. He's been nominated for nine Juno and three Grammy Awards, winning the Recording Engineer of the Year Juno Award in 2012. Seara has influenced the sound of many Canadian and international artists, helping several, including Shawn Mendes, Rihanna and Drake, to transcend boundaries and achieve success on the world stage. He has also lent his talents to raise funds and awareness about several important issues globally, nationally and locally, including youth mental health and gun violence.

John-Philippe Smith is an esteemed stone carver known for his significant contributions as the Dominion Sculptor of Canada. He has worked extensively in the parliamentary precinct, creating sculpted elements from various materials such as wood, plaster and stone. His expertise has now preserved and enhanced the historical and aesthetic value of Canada’s parliamentary buildings. Smith’s craftsmanship is evident there in pieces like the grotesque for the West Block and the Senate emblem in Centre Block.

A globally renowned Canadian media personality, broadcaster and devoted humanitarian, George Stroumboulopoulos is synonymous with creative arts and entertainment in all its forms. His experience includes helming the iconic MuchMusic, Hockey Night in Canada, hosting primetime award-winning Canadian radio, television and ‘Strombo’ on Apple Music Hits. Stroumboulopoulos was named to Billboard Music Canada's 2024 Power Players List as one of the most powerful and influential people in the music industry. In 2023, he was appointed to the Order of Canada for his leading contributions to Canadian media and journalism.

Markie Tuckett embarked on her journey to establish Timber + Plumb Inc. with no capital, contacts or clients at the age of 25. She propelled the company’s revenue to six figures within three years while repaying a significant loan. Launching the Stay Golden Grant during the pandemic, Tuckett distributes grants and mentoring. Tuckett is a multi-award-winning designer and entrepreneur, whose commitment to her sector earned her an HM Queen Elizabeth the Second Platinum Jubilee pin.