Aaron holds a Master of Urban Planning from McGill University and a Bachelor of Arts with a specialization in Urban Planning from Concordia University. Throughout his two degrees, he worked on several studio projects, looking at ecological and sustainable design, housing and transportation. Currently, Aaron works as a Transportation Planner in Toronto, also having worked in the transport realm in Montreal, trying to bridge the gap between land use and transport. As an emerging planner, Aaron strives to create equitable, sustainable, and accessible urban environments while hearing and incorporating diverse voices throughout different stages of the planning process. Outside of work, Aaron enjoys café hopping, showing people around the city, catching astronomical phenomena in action and capturing photos.

I am passionate towards creating liveable and memorable communities. I previously went to school at Toronto Metropolitan University. With six years experience in the development industry, my current role is a Land Use Planner and Project Manager at State Building Group, leading various residential projects through the GTA. I am also a citizen member of the Mississauga Heritage Advisory Committee. My experience has given me expertise in skills related to land use planning, project management, planning policy, heritage, public facilitation, and real estate development.

Andrew Chengfan Liang is a landscape designer specializing in public realm design and its integration with cultural placemaking. His work focuses on creating inclusive, expressive public spaces that reflect community identity. Andrew brings a cross-cultural perspective to his design approach and has experienced various projects from concept to implementation. He has delivered several milestones in design visualization including illustration, site modeling, rendering, and 3D printing. His professional work includes Mulock Park for the Town of Newmarket, New Parks at 10 Ordnance Street & 801 Wellington Street West, and the Landscape Carbon Benchmarking Study for the City of Toronto. Beyond design, Andrew also practices contemporary dance and figure skating.

Since graduating from the University of Guelph in 2016, I have worked as a landscape
architect on a variety of private and public projects across the Greater Toronto Area. In my current role as an Associate at DTAH, I lead projects that are redeveloping the public realm along Toronto’s eastern waterfront and helping to streamline the City’s implementation of green infrastructure.

My practice is rooted in seeking to address the unique challenges of our urban landscapes and create space for all users: people, plants, and other animals. I am particularly interested in exploring how both new and traditional ideas of landscape, ecology, and urban design can be applied to modern-day challenges – making our spaces more sustainable, beautiful, and joyful.

Isabella Liu is the Innovation & Technology Coordinator for an independent school in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In this role, she supports digital learning from K-6 through the design and delivery of meaningful integration with the Primary Years Program (PYP) units of inquiry and the development of a digital citizenship scope & sequence. An award winning educator, she is the recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM. Liu specializes in digital storytelling to support educators in designing creative teaching activities that are meaningful to their learners. As an active participant to her professional learning networks, she contributes to the Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Innovator, Google Coach, Google Trainer, and National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship communities. She shares her passion for authentically incorporating educational technology in the classroom that is accessible to all learners as a workshop leader, facilitator, and speaker.

My name is Nermine Mokdad, and I’m currently pursuing my Master of Architecture at the University of Toronto. I’m passionate about design-build learning, community-driven architecture, and sustainability. My background combines architecture, urbanism, and landscape studies, with hands-on experience in affordable housing, renewable energy, and real estate development.
As a Design-Builders Stream Mentor with 1UP Sacred Heart Catholic High School, I’m excited to guide students through the creative and technical process of transforming design ideas into real, tangible projects. I look forward to helping them explore how architecture and planning can make a meaningful impact on communities while developing their confidence as young designers, planners, and builders.

Ruchi Kumbhani is an emerging architectural and urban designer with interdisciplinary experience rooted in research, systems thinking, and storytelling. Her work draws from academic training and applied practice across design and urban inquiry, with a focus on documenting, synthesizing, and communicating complex urban systems.
Ruchi is particularly interested in advancing more accessible and equitable cities by translating research into inclusive, people-centered outcomes. Through mentoring, she supports emerging thinkers in developing critical perspectives, navigating complexity, and engaging thoughtfully with the social dimensions of urban environments.