Vote!
Voting will happen between March 25th and March 29th @ 11:59 PM. Please keep in mind that any votes casted outside of this time period will be disqualified. In order to be eligible to vote, you must be a general SDA member (have taken at least 1 DES (Design) course at the University of Alberta.
DIRECTOR
Rita-Jeanne (RJ) Smith
Hello! My name is Rita-Jeanne, but many of you know me by RJ. I am currently in my third of year of BDes in Industrial Design doing the business and marketing route. I am running for Director for the 2024-2025 year because I feel that the SDA is heading in a very good direction and I want to continue that forward movement. Since the pandemic, the SDA has faced difficulty breaking into the student body, but with two great teams since, we are making amazing strides. I am a leader by nature and want to encourage an amazing year for our design students. I know that we have an amazing team coming up and my goal is to support and guide this team in any way I can.
VICE DIRECTOR
Jacqueline Armitstead
Hey I'm Jacqueline, a 3rd year Bachelor of Design student (and current 400 ID Rep) completing a mix of VCD and Industrial Design classes. This year I am running for the Vice Director position with the SDA - I want to expand my involvement in the student design community and support the forward progress the SDA has been making over the past few years. I'm passionate about mentorship and supporting first-year design students on their journey into this wonderful field. Cheers!
Sarah Khader
Hello my name is Sarah Khader, I am a third-year industrial design student, I'm excited about the prospect of being part of the Student Design Association and running for a leadership position such as vice director. My journey in industrial design has been rewarding, but I'm eager to expand my horizons and explore new opportunities within the design community. My experiences living in several countries in the Middle East before coming to the University of Alberta have instilled in me a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives and cultural influences. This background has not only shaped my design aesthetic but also fueled my passion for creating spaces and structures that resonate with people from different backgrounds. I've always been fascinated by architecture, and I see it as a natural progression from industrial design. I believe that my skills in problem-solving, creativity, and attention to detail will serve me well in this field. Running for a leadership position in the Student Design Association would not only allow me to contribute to the design community but also provide me with valuable experience and connections that will benefit me in my future endeavors. One of my strengths as a student is my management skills. Balancing my academic coursework, design projects, and extracurricular activities has taught me the importance of prioritization and organization. I'm confident that I can handle the responsibilities of a leadership role while still excelling in my studies. Networking is another area where I would like to continue to hone my skills in. Whether it's connecting with fellow students, professors, or professionals in the design industry, I enjoy building relationships and collaborating with others to bring creative visions to life. As vice director, I would leverage my networking skills to engage with the design community and create meaningful opportunities for students to connect and learn from each other.
ID GRAD CHAIR
Molly Kent
Hi, I’m Molly, I’m a 4th year Industrial Design student running to be your ID Grad Chair! With experience on the grad committee as an Events Coordinator, I am excited to contribute my knowledge and can’t wait to continue organizing successful events like our grad auction! Elect me and I promise to make this graduation show an unforgettable one for everyone while carrying forward the hard work of the previous two teams and the standards they have set for our show!
VCD GRAD CHAIR
Cassidy Koehli
Hello, I’m Cassidy Koehli, and I’m in my 4th year in the Bachelor of Design program. I’m running for the VCD Grad Chair because I enjoy being involved in management, and elevating events. I would like to be involved in putting on a successful grad show; I can use my previous experience working with event execution, and my detailed-orientated nature. I value collaboration and will ensure your needs will be met for the 2025 grad show.
Amy Pretorius
Hi! I'm Amy Pretorius (she/they), and I'm a 4th year BDes student focusing on VCD and printmaking. I'm working hard to graduate next year, and as your VCD Grad Chair, I want to provide the graduating class with the best experience possible as we celebrate our years of hard work. I graduated high school in 2020, and when COVID hit, the graduation committee I was serving on essentially dissolved. I didn't get a proper high school graduation, so I know how important it is for us to have a great final year and successful grad show. I acutely understand the emotion involved in graduating, and I want to channel that emotion into creating a fantastic grad show. I have spent the last year as the Graphics Lead on the SDA, so I'm familiar with the committment and focus required to be on the SDA executive team. I am highly organized and driven, and very communicative. I am adaptable, I know how to lead, and I know how to work with a team. I'm so excited to see what we can do together! I hope you will cast your vote for me as your 2024/2025 VCD Grad Chair. It's going to be a great year!
PROJECT MANAGER
Hobeom Kim
Good afternoon! I'm Hobeom Kim and I am in my 3rd year in the Bachelor Design program [Industrial Design, Engineering Route]. I am thrilled to run for the Project Manager position. Little about me, I am an international student from South Korea who came to Canada in grade 8. Growing up away from my family, I learned how valuable building a community and developing the community for the best opportunity. The biggest reason I am running for the Project Manager position is my SDA Built experience last year. Thanks to Allie who planned and directed the entire Built event, I was not only able to have an opportunity to show my works to the public but also build wider connections. And I want to show my appreciation by providing the best Built experience for upcoming design students!
Tessa Rivera
Hi, I’m Tessa Rivera, as I am going into my 4th year in the BDes program, I want to contribute more to our design community. I participated last year as the External Liaison for the SDA and this year I am running to be part of the team as the Project manager. I believe my previous experience organizing events and my interest in community engagement are good preparation for this role. It was really rewarding to participate and collaborate in Built last year, I’m really excited for next year’s Built! Since it is the 10th year anniversary, I’ll work my best to make it special! You can find me hanging out in ID and VCD areas, please say Hi! I’m always up for a chat :D
EVENT DESIGNER
Ainsley Toner
Hey I’m Ainsley! I’m going into my fourth year as an Industrial Design student. Although I haven’t been an executive before, I helped out a lot with Built last year and am excited for the chance to be more involved with the planning and creation of the pop up and opening night (especially with it being the 10th anniversary!!) I am creative and good at coming up with solutions for problems on the fly, but my best trait for being part of the SDA would have to be my truck… lol. I look forward to the chance to help everyone showcase and sell their work!!
TREASURER
Hafsah Mohummed
Hi guys, I’m Hafsah Mohummed, and I am currently in my 2nd year of Art and Design. I am so excited to be running for the SDA Treasurer position for the 2024-2025 school year! Being treasurer will allow me to work closely with the rest of the amazing SDA team to help us make informed financial decisions through budgeting and expense monitoring for the various events that the SDA will host. I will also ensure that our spending benefits all of you and helps the program improve. In other words, you guys will be happy, and we won't go broke. TRUST :)
Ian Weber
Hello, I'm Ian Weber. I am a current 3rd year student in the Bachelor of Design program general route. I am confident I would be a great fit for treasurer. I'm interested in working within the collaborative organization such as the SDA and working on possible financing opportunities. I would love to sign your cheques and become treasurer!
EXTERNAL LIAISON
Anika Bacinski
Hey! I'm Anika Bacinski and I am pleased to be running as your External Liaison for the upcoming year! I'm entering my fourth and final year in the BDes program in both VCD and Industrial Design. Being your external liaison would let me attain and maintain connections, uphold outstanding outreach with industry professionals and alumni, and get sponsorships for our beloved Built. My goal is to get you more familiar with design opportunities and the future by providing exciting OnDesign Talks and helping you make connections. Throughout my undergrad, I have been a part of tens of student groups and volunteer organizations, so I know the ins and outs of external-ly liaison-ing! Let's make this a great year!
Sheryn Baldas
Hello, my name is Sheryn Baldas and I am currently in my 2nd year of Design in the Business/Marketing route. I am interested in the role of External Liaison as it professionally converses and with local designers and the community at large. Advocating for sustainable and inclusive design, I am excited to share these values and learn from other design communities!
Renaissa Rahmat Ullah
Hey there, I'm Renaissa Rahmat Ullah, and I am a 3rd year international student in the Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design Major) program focusing on Industrial Design. Coming from Bangladesh, Bangladeshi folk culture and folk designs have always fascinated me. I love combining the concept of intuitive design, design thinking and process with my cultural background for my works! I am running for the External Liaison for 2024-25 SDA because I believe in community building and representation. Through my position as an External Liaison, I would be able to reach out to local industry experts and students from various backgrounds while building a platform for them to share their thoughts and experiences. SDA is hub for everyone to come together and through my position I would to ensure that it continues to be so!
GRAPHICS LEAD
Marielle Abad
Hi, my name is Marielle Abad and I am a 2nd year Bachelor of Design student. The reason I chose to run for the role of graphics lead is because I have a passion in graphic and visual communication design. When showcasing my projects, I always ensure that the presentation’s visual identity is tailored to the product. Since I find joy in creating graphical aspects for whatever project I do, I think this role would be perfect for me.
Faith Adra
Hello! My name is Faith Adra and I am a third year design student. I am running for graphics lead for the 2024-25 school year as I am dedicated to continue the strong identity for the SDA with my background in illustration and passion for print and layout design. I believe I can create visually engaging content that is recognizable and resonates with our values, to further expand our reach to more students and welcome them to our space. Being graphics lead will allow me the opportunity to meet others in the program and truly encapsulate the essence of our design community here at our school!
Raquelle Castil
Hiya! My name is Raquelle Castil, I am a 2nd year in the Bachelor of Design program. I'm running for Graphics Lead because I have experience working in a fast-paced environment and have that real world experience of creating designs for start up companies and side projects. I'm confident that I will be a good asset to the SDA and will try 100%.
Copywriter
Felicia Ooi
Hello! My name is Felicia, and I am an international student from Malaysia. Currently, I am in my third year of Industrial Design in the engineering route. I am keen on contributing to the SDA as a copywriter, leveraging my previous experience in effectively conveying ideas through writing. I am excited to learn from everyone in the team and aspire to challenge myself beyond the academic setting of my classes! During my spare time, I enjoy creating digital art, immersing myself in fictional novels, and playing badminton with my friends. I am open to collaborating with the team by creating engaging copy and organizing events that can provide students with memorable experiences throughout their university years. Recognizing the potential stress of studio classes, I am eager to offer support and lend a voice to those in need. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity to showcase my skills in an engaging environment alongside my fellow students and aspiring designers!
Written Submission
Dear Mr. Leeman,
I hope this message finds you well. My name is Felicia, and I am writing on behalf of the Student Design Association (SDA) at the University of Alberta. First and foremost, we want to extend our gratitude for your generous support of our project, Pop Pop, last year. Your contribution was vital in bringing our vision to life, and we deeply appreciate your assistance.
However, upon reflection, we realized that we neglected to properly thank you for your kindness. We deeply regret this oversight and want to extend our heartfelt thanks to you.
As we begin another exciting year of projects and initiatives, we are exploring various avenues for sponsorship. Given your past support and its positive impact on our community, we would be honored to reconnect with you and discuss the possibility of securing the same grant for this year's project.
We understand if circumstances have changed, but we remain hopeful for the opportunity to collaborate with you again. Your continued support would be invaluable to our team and project success.
Thank you once again for your generosity and consideration.
Warm regards,
Felicia Ooi
Student Design Association
University of Alberta
Danielle Lacanienta
Hi everyone, I’m Danielle Lacanienta, I’m starting my 3rd year in Fall 2024. I’m running for Copywriter as I want to be more involved with the SDA and hopefully be able to help a lot through my writing! I also love collaborating and working with people and I think that this role would provide that opportunity. I’m very passionate about all things design and architecture. When I have some free time, I also love playing games with friends, building Legos, and exploring cafes in the city.
Written Submission
Dear Mr Leeman and the _____ team,
My name is Danielle Lacanienta, and I am the copywriter for the University of Alberta Student Design Association (SDA). I am writing to you on behalf of the SDA to formally express our gratitude for the $1,000 grant you arranged in contribution to our Pop Pop project last year. Your generous support helped design students and alumni share the skills they have garnered through their degrees.
For this year’s Pop Pop, we at the SDA aim to consistently provide a platform where design students can continuously exhibit their academic work through the products they produce for the public. As we plan to make this year another success, we are seeking your support once more to make this happen. We are requesting funding of the same amount of $1,000 for our Pop Pop 2024 event which will be used for the event’s planning by creating a safe and fun place for students and the public to connect through arts and design.
Thank you so much again for supporting our efforts for last year’s event and for your consideration for this year’s Pop Pop project. Your continued support helps open doors for students to gain recognition for their work.
Sincerely,
Danielle Lacanienta (she/her)
Copywriter | Student Design Association
Industrial Design Studio, University of Alberta
T6G 2E1 Edmonton, AB C: (780) 953 4730
Facebook / Instagram / Website
WEB COORDINATOR
Nessa Fernandes
Hey there! My name’s Nessa and I’m in my 3rd year of BDes in Business & Marketing. For my last year in the program (2024-2025), I hope to leave meaningful contributions through my position as Web Coordinator. Combining skills in web analytics and UI/UX design with a passion for digital marketing, I believe I am a perfect fit for this position. I’m also running for Web Coordinator for the chance to grow my understanding in a field I'm actively pursuing post-grad. Digital marketing and branding are also bonus tools I possess that I feel will allow me to make a lasting impact in the SDA. Ultimately, I’m here to be a part of the SDA family. I’m running to pledge myself to our design community and hopefully to give everyone a reason to check out our website more often :)
Tice Kehler
Hello! I am Tice Kehler, and I am going into my 4th year in my Bachelor of Design, Engineering Route. I am running for Web Coordinator as I hope to use pre-existing design skills to help out with the SDA and to learn a few new VCD skills in the position as well. I am excited for the opportunity to continue the amazing work of the website which reflects the design community here at U of A! Thank you for your consideration.
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Madison Braget
Hi, I'm Maddie:) ! I am a 4th year student and am pursuing both Industrial Design and Visual Communications Design! As a Business/Marketing minor, I am interested in finding ways to increase levels of visibility and engagement with our SDA socials! I would really appreciate having the opportunity to work as the Communications Officer to ensure that current and future design students continue to feel welcomed and included within the SDA, and don't miss a thing!
Rachael Whitby
Hi design friends! I’m Rachael Whitby, I’m a fourth year VCD student currently in the social sciences route of this program! I am running for Communications Officer because I want to help connect the design community at large to our program here at the University of Alberta! A huge part of my working experience has been spent working with clients and customers alike and building professional relationships with them. I’m an organized and dedicated individual and I am committed to helping establish communication with people not only within the University community but also those who work in the Edmonton area. I am also passionate about working in collaboration with others in a team effort and I would love to work with the photo and video committee as part my role, as I would love to have an opportunity to learn from them and help them share their work as a group effort! I would love to contribute to the building of these professional relationships by being the first line of contact for the SDA. Thank you for taking the time to consider me for the opportunity!
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR
Christine Jung
Hello, my name is Christine, and I am a third-year student in the BDes industrial design program. Next year marks my final year, and I would love to be a part of the SDA as the Membership Coordinator. I am interested in planning and hosting our SDA mixers and class talks, creating fun and inclusive spaces for all design students to meet! I hope you will vote for me, and together we can collaborate for next years events. I would love to hear your input! Find me around ID and VCD! ☀️
300 ID REP
Adam Goertzen
Hi, I am Adam, and I am entering my first year in the BDes program this fall. I am running for 300 ID rep because I want to gain a larger perspective on our program while challenging myself to engage more in extracurricular activities my former self would have avoided. This potential position would allow me to meet these goals while engaging and meeting fellow students with a similar passion for creation.
Mila Pesevic
Hi! My name is Mila Pesevic and I'm currently completing my first year as a Bachelor of Design student in the engineering route. I'm hoping to be elected to the SDA so that I can be a voice for all 300-level industrial design students this upcoming school year. I want to help create stronger ties between design students and the SDA for a better, more connected, and more collaborative community. I'll be sure to listen to any and all student concerns, relaying them quickly + directly to the SDA executive team and working together to take action. Thanks for considering me!
300 VCD REP
Sarah Elcock
Hi, I’m Sarah Elcock, and I am a 3rd year in the Bachelor of Design Program. Honestly i’m running for VCD 300 rep position not because i know a whole lot about VCD (it’s kind of the opposite) but the curiosity I have about the work the SDA does. I’m curious on how it functions and if I can play a supporting role. Ive also selected 300ID representative because that is what I know, and I feel like I can truly help guide 300 level designers that are both in and outside of BDes. That either being in support in classes, expectations, getting into the program or offering other routes of guidance. Thank you.
400 ID REP
Allyssa Agbanlog
Hi, I’m Allyssa Agbanlog and I am a undergrad in Bachelor of Arts major in Arts and Design. A little about me is that during my free time, I usually watch movies and I really like going to concerts even if it’s in other city. Most of the time, I’m at the shop or lab stressing out with a project and I am very approachable. I am running for the 400 ID representative because I believe i get to have the opportunity to be the voice of my peers especially with the suggestions ,concerns and come up with a solution to improve our studio or program. This also an opportunity for me to strengthen my leadership skills such as communication, problem-solving and teamwork.
400 VCD REP
Shreya Ravi
Hey everyone! My name is Shreya, and I'm in my 3rd year of VCD. I'm running for VCD 400 Rep because, well, why not lol. I love designing, planning, and spreading the word about events. I also have a few years of experience as a youth rep for various community organizations. I can't forget to mention that I will be taking most of the 400-level VCD courses in the upcoming school year! Please feel free to stop by and say hii if you see me lurking in the VCD area because that's where I'll be :))
PHOTO & VIDEO COMMITTEE
Ellie Tu
Hi! I'm Ellie Tu and I am a first year student in the Bachelor of Design program and I have a previous degree in anthropology. I love people and how they exist in their context and I would love to capture through working with the Photo & Video Committee!
Iris Pham
Hello, my name is Iris Pham, and I am a second year BDes student. I would like to be in the Photo and Video Committee because I love capturing little moments and appreciating the beauty in simple things around me. This is also a wonderful opportunity to practice my photography skill in a more professional environment.
Allyssa Agbanlog
