Vote! (Round 2)

Voting will happen between March 24th and March 26th @ 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.

Want to take a look at the 2025 candidate campaign posters? Nominees have submitted their posters to the gallery page here, and these same posters can be found around campus leading up to the election!

The positions below have yet to be filled and the listed people will be participating in the second 2025 election for the photo committee and copywriter positions.

PHOTO & VIDEO COMMITTEE

Joy Jia

Hey! I'm Joy Jia, a 4th-year student in the Bachelor of Design program (ID/VCD), engineering route. I'm excited to run for the photographer position on the Photo & Video Committee.

I'm good at creating comfortable and natural environments for my subjects – I love making people feel at ease in front of the camera and seeing them express their authentic selves. You don't have to smile in front of the camera if you don't want to!

I've had extensive experience in photography, like capturing headshots and all the other event photos for international competitions like iGEM, action photos for kids in the summer camp, and product photos for local companies such as OMAM Collected. #lightroomismypassion

Feel free to check out some of my work on the Ualberta iGEM Team Page (https://2024.igem.wiki/ualberta/team) and OMAM Collected's website (https://omamcollected.com/).

I look forward to bringing my expertise to this role and capturing the best moments for you, and for our design community!

Kamila Wei-Henriquez

Hello! My name is Kamila Wei-Henriquez, most of my friends call me Kami, and I am applying to be a photographer within the Photo and Video Committee.

I’m currently a first year BDes student. This year, I was a member of the BDes graduation committee. Going into second year, i begin my studies for both VCD & ID. I’m fully aware I’m quite young and new to this community, but I do believe I have what it takes to be a member of this team just like any other lovely candidate here. My studio friends always mention how I’m always capturing the memory of a moment. Not only is it a hobby, but capturing moments is so crucial because I believe we truly don’t value certain things enough until we reflect back on it. I strive to capture emotion, hard-work, passion, & enjoyment in all of the work I’m committed to putting into this position. I also hope to make friends and connections with everyone involved in these captures as well. It would be an honor to be apart of the 25' - 26' committee if you would give me the pleasure in doing so.

Kristen Klein

Hi, I’m Kristen Klein, and I am a 2nd year in BDES. I am running for Photo and Video committee because I want to support my community.

Copywriter

Joanna Tachie-Menson

Hello everyone! My name is Joanna Tachie-Menson, going into my 3rd year into the Bachelor of Design (Business & Marketing Route). I tackled both of my Art History & English requirements, but honestly, I often find myself missing writing. I would love to funnel my writing passion into connecting with the design community, so I wholeheartedly believe copywriting for the SDA would be a perfect fit. Vote for me! 🙌

Written Submission

Dear Mr. Leeman,

I hope you are doing well!

We are incredibly grateful for your generous donation of $1000 last year, and we would love to take this opportunity to thank you. Without your contribution, Pop Pop would not be the success it was, and we couldn't have done it without your support.

This year, we are so excited to start a new project similar to Pop Pop, and would be deeply honored if you considered supporting us again. We would be happy to share more details about the project if you are interested!

Thanks again,

The SDA Team

 These positions have already been filled, thank you for your participation in the election!

DIRECTOR

Hafsah Mohummed

Hi guys, I’m Hafsah Mohummed. I am currently a 3rd year Bachelor of Design student in the Engineering Route, and am so excited to be running for the SDA Director position for the 2025-2026 academic year! I have been a part of the SDA for two years as a 300-ID Rep and Treasurer, where I have learned valuable communications, operations, and leadership skills that are essential for the role of Director to ensure the SDA’s success.

Throughout these last two years I have been able to see engagement within the student body grow, and want to continue building up that sense of community. As Director I want to expand the impact the SDA has on Edmonton's design community through fun and collaborative opportunities for students. I enjoy being part of such an engaging community here on campus and would love to continue making an impact as your student leader.

Thank you!

VICE DIRECTOR

Faith Adra
Hi everyone! My name is Faith Adra and I’m currently in my fourth year of the Bachelor of Design program, specializing in Industrial and Visual Communication Design in the general route. I’m excited to be running for Vice Director of the SDA for the 2025/26 school year!

As this year’s Graphics Lead, I’ve had the opportunity to create the visual identity of our club, ensuring it reflects the bright, energetic, and creative community we have here at the University of Alberta. Through this role, I gained valuable experience in communication, organization, and team collaboration, working closely with my peers to reach our goals. These skills will be essential in the Vice Director role, where I would work alongside the Director to lead the club’s success.

I would love to get the chance to continue our outreach to the Edmonton design community and encourage others to get involved in our events and mixers. When I first joined this program, I was inspired by the SDA and how it supported connections and opportunities for students. I hope to continue that legacy and inspire other students just like how I was.

Thank you for your consideration!

Sabrina Shanta

Hi, I’m Sabrina Shanta, a third-year student in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program majoring in Art and Design. I’m passionate about creating meaningful designs that inspire and connect people. I’m running for vice director because I believe leadership isn’t just about managing tasks — it’s about fostering a supportive, creative community where everyone feels heard and empowered.

With experience in design projects, and collaborative work, I’m dedicated to bringing fresh ideas, effective organization, and a strong work ethic to the team. I want to help create more engaging events, promote student work, and ensure our voices are represented.

I’m excited to contribute to the SDA and help make it an even better space for students to connect, grow, and succeed!

ID GRAD CHAIR

Simone Bruneau

Hi! My name is Simone Bruneau, and I’m currently in my third year of the Bachelor of Design program, majoring in Industrial Design. I’m excited to apply for the position of ID Grad Chair for the 2025/2026 year because I believe the Grad Show is a special milestone—a moment that celebrates all of our hard work and accomplishments. I want to ensure this event truly reflects the dedication and creativity of our graduating class.

In addition to my passion for design, I love working with people and fostering collaboration across disciplines. I bring strong communication skills, a highly collaborative mindset, and a commitment to embracing and integrating everyone’s ideas—ensuring that all voices are heard and valued. My positive energy and motivation drive me to strive for the best in everything I do.

My goals extend beyond the Grad Show. I want to help build a strong sense of community and camaraderie within our program. No matter the year level, I want students to feel included, encouraged, and supported in a positive learning environment.

I would be honored to represent our incredible design community as Grad Chair and bring our final year to life in the best way possible. Thank you for your consideration!

Sarah Elcock

Hello everybody,

For those who I haven't gotten the opportunity to meet as yet, my name is Sarah Elcock. I'm running for ID Grad Chair. I transferred into this program almost four years ago now. The awkward transfer process gave me a chance to not only familiarize myself with the program, but also meet and get to know the amazing student body that defines it. From 8am 300-level ID mornings to 6:30pm night classes, 300-level VCD graphics and printing issues, then 500-level group client and personal projects. Not to mention all the late night work sessions. I’ve seen and experienced firsthand the struggle, growth, diversity, and sense of community that makes this program so special. Those we’ve met here have become peers, partners, friends and family. It’s through these connections that we continue to grow into exceptional designers.

In this program we are all so exceedingly unique and creatively peculiar. If there’s one thing this program has allowed us, it’s the freedom to express that creativity. We may have had prompt and guidance, but it’s our own creative vision and expertise that breathed life into our projects.

Let's highlight our creative peculiarity! I believe it’s important to properly showcase our diversity in the 2026 graduation show. Not only through our highlighted design projects and business cards, but the very show itself. Given I’m only taking two courses next winter semester; I can devote my everything into our graduation and cultivate a smoother process for us all.

VCD GRAD CHAIR

Raquelle Castil

Hi! My name is Raquelle Castil! You can call me Elle! I am in my 4th year of Bachelor of Design. I am running for VCD Grad Chair because I am passionate about Design, connecting with peers and other unfamiliar faces and excited to plan for an awesome Grad show!!

PROJECT MANAGER

Natasha Gonzales

Hello! I’m Natasha Gonzales, a 3rd year student going into my 4th year in Design. I’m in the general route, taking both ID and VCD courses. I was a vendor in Built last year (the hand stitched ladybug planners and the tomato speaker, if you saw it!) and seeing the SDA team being so passionate about making Built happen has encouraged me to apply for the Project Manager position. Currently, I’m a member of the grad gallery team, helping set up the grad show, so I know a bit about the process and efforts put in to set up a big event within our design program. I’ve worked with one of the candidates for the Event Designer: Elisse Canaynay. We’ve done previous projects together, planning and splitting up the work to ensure quality results. We plan on working together, alongside the other members of the SDA, laying the groundwork of Built early, allowing for a smooth-running shop when December comes around. I’m incredibly excited to work as a team for Built and any other project opportunities!

Sheryn Baldas

Hello! I’m Sheryn Baldas, a third year in Design currently in the Business/Marketing route, and I am running for the Project Manager position!

I have experience with management roles in the past, from my position as a Marketing/Operations Manager in handling sustainable tree-planting events, to being a Project Design Lead for a vendors booth engagement in the Taste of Edmonton.

I have learned that successful projects involve more than the team, it's in the engagement and passion of the community. I hope to share these experiences to not only bring together the design community within the University of Alberta, but to share our love and passion for design with the rest of the Edmonton community!

EVENT DESIGNER

Iris Pham

Hi, my name is Iris Pham, and I am a third-year BDes student in the Engineering route. I am excited to run for the Event Designer position in the SDA!

Serving as a photographer for the SDA this year allowed me to observe the design works from our vendors up close, and gain valuable insight into how Built is planned and operated. This experience made me appreciate the incredible effort of the participating design students and their enthusiasm for both their projects and the event.

As a hardworking and detail-oriented person, I strongly believe that a successful event is not only visually engaging but also fosters connections within the design community and inspires creativity. If elected, I hope to contribute my skills and enthusiasm to this position and make future events—including Built—both meaningful and memorable.

Elisse Canaynay

Hello, everyone! My name is Elisse Canaynay, and I’m a third-year Industrial of Design student about to enter my fourth year.

From the moment I joined Built last year, I knew I wanted to run for Event Designer. Seeing so much passion, creativity, and energy come together in one space was very inspiring. In my opinion, Built is more than just an event, it’s a platform for students to showcase their work, connect with others, and celebrate their talents. I want to ensure that next year’s Built is just as successful, if not even better so that every student can experience its true impact.

I have some experience from my time on the Grad Committee's Gallery Experience team, where I collaborated with an amazing group of people (shoutout Natasha Gonzales and the gallery team) to create exciting and inviting event spaces.

As Event Designer, I'll bring the same dedication to Built, to create an unforgettable experience for everyone!

TREASURER

Mushaira Habib

Hello, I'm Mushaira Habib, a third-year Bachelor of Design student, soon entering my fourth year. I am excited to be running for Treasurer of the SDA because this role will allow me to work closely with the SDA team to monitor event expenditures and manage project budgets that can allocate all the events effectively. I am committed to ensuring that SDA makes wise financial decisions and has the necessary resources to implement smarter spending strategies supporting its growth :)

EXTERNAL LIAISON

Diane Casaje

Hi, I’m Diane, a third-year B.Des student in the General Route studying both Industrial and Visual Communication Design. I am passionate about architecture, furniture design, sculpture, and disability studies. In addition, I find joy in making new friends, exploring new places, and staying active.

My core desire to connect and build strong relationships with others is at the forefront of why I am fit for the role of External Liaison. My undoubted willingness to learn from my peers drives me to confidently reach out to others and I want to extend this into a position where I can create bonds with other student groups and the greater design community.

Participating and volunteering at events such as the mentor and mentee program, public design lectures at UofT, and UofA-supported events such as BUILT and MADE Edmonton Design Week has enabled me to engage with design communities across Canada.

If given the role of External Liaison, I will increase accessibility for students to find opportunities to connect with industry professionals and collaborate with peers across the broader design community. Furthermore, through communication and outreach, I will ensure students will be informed about valuable experiences, events, and opportunities to help enhance their learning and future career development. Thank you for your consideration!

Maya Zeidan

Hello, I'm Maya Zeidan, I am a 2nd year BDes ID Engineering Route student, who is very excited to be running for the External Liaison position.

I’m passionate about building strong connections and creating opportunities that benefit our community. My background in leadership, public relations and customer service has given me the skills to effectively communicate, collaborate, and advocate on behalf of our organization.

I believe the role of External Liaison is about being a bridge — connecting us with external partners, amplifying our voice, and creating meaningful relationships that open new doors in our design community. If elected, I’ll work hard to strengthen these connections, represent our community with enthusiasm, and bring fresh ideas to the table.

Let’s shape a future where our design community thrives together. I’d be honored to have your support!

GRAPHICS LEAD

Aindriele Lomboy

Hi guys! I'm Aindriele, currently in my 2nd year in BDes, specializing in both ID and VCD! I am running for next year's graphics lead because I like the challenge of making visuals that are both engaging but also effective in communicating info or a message. Being surrounded by design students means constantly learning from each other, and I’d love to bring some ideas to the table, making the SDA's visuals cohesive, but also fun! This role would give me the chance to push myself creatively, while also allowing me to give back to our design community at the UofA. Thanks!

Marielle Abad

Hello, my name is Marielle Abad and I am a 3rd year in the Bachelor of Design program. I am running for the graphics lead position because I enjoy illustration, visual communication design, and experimenting with different creative tools.

I think that the graphics lead position would be a very fulfilling experience as it would give me an opportunity to share my creations with the whole student design community, further my skills and give me another excuse to spend more time on illustrator (because the more shortcuts I know, the more godly I become). I also think that having experience with traditional and digital drawing/ painting and 3d modelling has allowed me to have a very flexible and mixed creative style. The visuals and graphics I use have definitely helped me better communicate ideas and information. I believe that I could bring engaging visuals to accompany SDA events and to use in social media posts.

I’d be glad to contribute my creativity and design experience!

Isabella Garros

Hello! My name is Isabella Garros, and I am a 3rd year U of A Student, second year in the Bachelor of Design program. I love music and nature, inspirations that are often reflected in my personal work (whether fine art or design)! I'm running for the position of Graphics Lead because I'm extremely passionate about the blending of information and visuals to create eye catching graphics that delight as much as they inform. I've had previous experience creating such designs to promote events and found the process very rewarding. I'm hoping to expand upon that experience within the university community, where design can be used to communicate with my own peers and beyond!

Copywriter

Please find more info at the top of this page.

WEB COORDINATOR

Yania Zhou

Hi, my name is Yania Zhou and I'm going into my 4th year in the Bachelor of Design program. I'm running for Web Coordinator because the UI/UX class (DES 496) was super fun and I love everything web related! Not only do I have passion for web design, I also want to take this experience to learn even more about it, all while contributing to the SDA community.

Evan Phan

Hi, I am Evan Phan, going into my third year taking the Bachelor of Design program. I am running for the Web Coordinator position because I believe it is a good opportunity to apply and learn new technical skills such as managing a website, as well as collaborating with fellow students in design helping me build connections and friendships.

Anastasia Sukach

Hi, I'm Anastasia Sukach, a 3rd-year student in the Visual Communication Design program. I'm excited to run for the position of Web Coordinator for SDA because I believe in the power of strong communication and a well-maintained digital presence. With my passion for design and organization, I aim to enhance SDA’s online platforms, keeping students informed and engaged. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to our creative campus community!

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Seancarl Hernandez

Hello, I’m Seancarl Hernandez (Sean), I will be in my 3rd year of BDes this upcoming fall term. I’m running for the Communications Officer position because I want to be able to make a connection between all of the students especially create a more engaging community through creating and sharing content, with this it would help students to reach out and communicate with the community. I think I would be a great fit for this position because of my passion for helping people and creating a sense of belongingness, its more than just creating an online presence but also being able to spread positive energy and help students to be aware of opportunities that they dont know. Hopefully, I will be able to make that happen.

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR

Jaxon Hume

My name is Jaxon Hume, a 3rd Year in the BDes Program. I’m running for Membership coordinator because I have a passionate interest in community, respect and creating an environment where everyone feels valued. We are the future of the design community and it is in our best interest to make sincere connections—design is a team sport!

300 ID REP

Sama Al-Hayani

Hello! I am Sama Al-Hayani, and I am entering into my 3rd year at the Bachelor of design program I am running for the 300 ID representative because I want inform people on opportunities or new information that will affect their degree. I will be take all the 300 level ID classes in FALL 2025/WINTER 2026. I always had a keen passion for helping people around not matter what design class it is. I will always be ready to answer a question with a smile on my face!

300 VCD REP

Please find more info at the top of this page.

400 ID REP

Sophia Chalyguina

Hey, I’m Sophia Chalyguina, a second year Bachelor of Design student running for 400 ID Representative! I love socializing (yapping) with people, and I want to help build a fun, supportive network where everyone feels welcome to reach out and collaborate. Second years, I’m here to make your transition easier! And for the third and fourth years, let’s keep sharing ideas, socializing, and surviving this degree together (with Kenny and Dan’s help, of course).

Alice Gong

Hello, I’m Alice gong, and I am going to be a 4th year student in the Bachelor of Arts and Design program. I want to run for 400 ID rep because I'm usually a shy person, but since it will be my last year here at UofA I want get out of my comfort zone and be more involved with the design community. :))

400 VCD REP

Adam Goertzen

Hi, I am Adam Goertzen, and I am a 3rd year in the Design program. I am running for 400 VCD Rep because, I was a 300 ID rep last year and I feel the SDA can do a better job at incorporating VCD students into our events.

PHOTO & VIDEO COMMITTEE

Please find more info at the top of this page.