Board of Directors
Officers
  • President

    Lionel Gadoury RGD, Toronto

     

     

     

    Lionel has always been an entrepreneur. Just two years after graduating from OCAD, and after working as art director at Zand Advertising, Lionel started his own shop, Insync Creative. 

    In just a few years, Insync attracted a significant roster of clients to the point where it was acquired by an ad agency, enabling Lionel to take a one-year sabbatical in Italy to travel and paint. Lionel came back to Toronto and went on to co-found Fireworks Creative and Context Creative.

    Today, clients of Context Creative recognize Lionel’s passion for the impact that design thinking can make in building businesses and differentiating brands in a world that is rapidly commoditizing.

    Beyond creating innovative business models and profitable partner relationships, Lionel’s goal is to put graphic design and communications to work, helping clients act on new opportunities, creating memorable campaigns that achieve goals, while putting sustainable processes in place that typically increase competitive capabilities.

    Lionel is responsible for the firm’s creative output and oversees the design team working for clients such as Toronto Hydro, Ontario Power Generation, Hydro One Networks, Canada Post, Canada Health Infoway, Ontario Trails Council, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, SynecticsWorld and Beck’s Beer.

    Under Lionel’s leadership, Context Creative has won over 50 awards from the Canadian Marketing Awards, ADCC Directions, RGD Design at Work, the CPRS ACE Awards and the GDC Graphex awards.

    Lionel is also an avid marathoner, generally finishing in the top of his age group for marathons in Boston, Cleveland, Ottawa and Hamilton’s historic and often bone-chilling Around the Bay race.


    Get in touch:

    Context Creative

  • Vice President, Communications

    Bob Hambly RGD, Toronto

     

     

     

    Bob is the creative director of Hambly & Woolley Inc., a Toronto-based, multi-disciplinary graphic design firm he co-founded with his partner, Barbara Woolley. Over the past 22 years, the firm has received over 350 national and international design awards.

    His creative mind is always at work at H&W, where clients benefit from his fresh perspective, eye for detail and knack for personal service. Bob lectures frequently on design and design-related topics to varied institutions, associations and organizations. 

     

    Get in touch:
    Hambly & Woolley Inc.

     

  • Vice President, Education

    Karen Satok RGD, Toronto

     

     

     

    Karen is a principal at Sputnik Design Partners. In her 25 years as a designer, Karen has provided creative direction and design management for an impressive array of material.

    Her work includes strategic branding programs, annual reports, identities, book covers and websites for clients such as CTV, Canada Post, HOK, LCBO, Penguin Canada and Roots. Karen has been on the Board for the past five years, currently as VP of Education.


    Goals:
    "Right now many are concerned with finding or keeping work. It’s difficult out there, not only for graduates but for established firms. We need to continue to engage all members with relevant programs and services. I will continue to offer my time and experience on RGD committees, through its programs and at events. How can we be more effective? How can we help members? By working with the Board and members to answer these questions, I will help make RGD as relevant and accessible as ever."

     

    Get in touch:
    Sputnik Design Partners

  • Vice President, Ethics

    Stüssy Tschudin RGD, Toronto

     

     

     

    A native of Switzerland, Stüssy brings a European flavour to his work. Stüssy is a graduate of Humber’s Advertising and Design program, a former Senior Design Director at Haughton Brazeau, and a founding principal of Forge Media + Design.

    His 10 years experience spans branding, web, marketing communications, and signage and wayfinding. His work includes Sears Annual Reports, Apple Canada’s website and wayfinding for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Stüssy is running for his first term on the Board.


    Goals:
    “We need to find ways to motivate young design
    professionals at the end of their student membership
    to become Provisional RGDs and then full RGDs and not simply drop out for financial reasons. Students need to be made more aware of the importance of being part of this professional organization, so that they understand what the RGD can do for them and for their chosen profession.”

     

    Get in touch:
    Forge Media + Design

  • Vice President, Membership

    Tina Mackenzie RGD, Mississauga

     

     

     

    As Manager of Creative Services for the City of Mississauga, Tina leads an award-winning design team that delivers services for a multitude of projects and programs. She began her in-house career at Honeywell and Scotiabank.

    Her team provides a range of expertise and was honoured as the DesignThinkers 2012 Design Partner, the first time an in-house design team was given this opportunity. Tina is running for her second term.


    Goals:
    “I respect that the mandate of RGD is to certify graphic designers who have met a rigorous set of standards and have demonstrated competence in the areas of business, design principles, research and ethics. I plan to share my unique perspective as an in-house, corporate design lead with the added element of government experience. I will share best practices in this industry and further engage and promote membership in this significant organization.”

     

    Get in touch:
    City of Mississauga

  • Corporate Secretary

    Russell Gibbs RGD, Dundas

     

     

     

    For the last 13 years Russell has worked in the design industry with some of the top studios and agencies in Toronto. Most notably, Russell is know for his work as the Creative Director of Parcel Design. Currently he is the principal at Russell Gibbs Design in Dundas, Ontario.

    He has led campaigns for Allseating, Canadian Writers Group, Children’s Aid Foundation, Entertainment One, Mercedes-Benz, The RGD, SickKids Foundation, Second Cup, TD Canada Trust and UPS Canada. His aesthetic and approach are unique and can be seen in his work - simple, clever, memorable and thoughtful.

    Russell’s work has been recognized by the Advertising and Design Club of Canada, Coupe Magazine, The Dieline, HOW Magazine, and by the RGD.


    He is also a beekeeper.

    Currently Russell is in his first term on the RGD Board. 


    Goals:
    “As a board member of the RGD I would like to do all that I can to help ensure that the entrepreneur / solo designer has everything they need and that the RGD is serving them in the best manner possible. Above all of that, I will bring my unique perspective to the RGD Board, I think my opinions and ability to collaborate with others will prove to be invaluable.”

     

    Get in touch:
    Russell Gibbs Design
    Gibbs Honey

  • Treasurer

    Marawan El-Asfahani RGD, Toronto

     

     

     

    Marawan is Managing Principal at Oxygen Design Agency. With 15 years experience working on retail, corporate, food, foundation, government and financial projects, he has a sharp strategic approach.

    Marawan is the founder of Weekendtrips.com, an online weekend travel company, and OxygenAir, an online DJ music portal. Marawan is running for his second term. He has been Treasurer since 2010.


    Goals:
    "I see a tremendous opportunity for collaboration in
    our industry. I plan to continue to focus on bringing
    design professionals together. Whether you’ve been in business for 20 years or 20 months, we as an industry can benefit from your knowledge. I also think there is a need to teach members how to properly monetize the work we do. We’re helping customers succeed and we need to be properly compensated for the intelligence and creative effort we put into this work.”

     

    Get in touch:
    Oxygen Design Agency

Directors
  • Director

    Erin Boyce RGD, Kingston

     

     

     

    With 12 years experience at top Canadian agencies, Erin has designed award-winning, strategic communication for clients large and small. Since 2007 she’s held the top design position in the Marketing Communications Department at St. Lawrence College.

    Passionate about design’s ability to ‘do good’ and connect people and ideas, Erin co-founded ‘Juice’, a Kingston-area networking and resource-sharing group for designers. Erin serves on St. Lawrence College’s Graphic Design Program Advisory Committee, participates in student mentorship and is a part-time member of the design faculty.

    Goals:
    “The RGD connects business to design and designers to one another. This is particularly important in Eastern Ontario, where our designers work in small divided markets. I plan to work to bring our voice to RGD. Key to bringing more designers into the fold and encouraging members to be active and engaged, I hope to build on RGD’s successful events in the region. Outreach to students and young designers is also important, as it helps them build their relationship with RGD.”

     

    Get in touch:
    St Lawrence College

  • Director

    Julian Brown RGD, Toronto

     

     

     

    Julian is the designer andentrepreneur behind the motion design studio ON THE CHASE! In its first five years, OTC! has won international awards and collaborated with diverse clients ranging from high-profile non-profit MaRS to award-winning filmmaker Sarah Polley.

    Julian has been profiled in industry magazines Applied Arts and Design Edge as a rising young talent. He is a graduate of the York/Sheridan Design Degree program.


    Goals:
    RGD needs to work hard not to just 'keep up' with our ever-changing industry, but to become increasingly relevant. Many of the initiatives of the RGD are more important than ever and sharing them with our membership in the most engaging way possible is a priority. It is also very important to focus on young members who are making their first forays into the professional world. I've been focusing in this area for the last 3 years, volunteering as Chair of the Provisional RGD Committee. As an RGD elected to the Board, I will continue to advise with keen insights on my demographic and my digital design specialties.

     

    Get in touch:
    ON THE CHASE!

  • Director

    Michelle Davey RGD, London

     

     

     

    Michelle discovered at an early age that advertising and design were her passions. With more than 15 years of experience, she possesses remarkable industry knowledge and has worked with a large list of national brands.

    Following years of advertising and marketing experience in Toronto, Michelle returned to her hometown of London to freelance and help the local business community grow in their marketing and branding. Michelle is running for her second term on the Board.

     
    Goals:
    “I see a need for a stronger presence in Southwestern Ontario. I would like to bring more RGD events to the area and introduce students to the values of the association. I propose initiatives to educate local businesses on the value of hiring an RGD I propose RGD-focused gatherings for area students and members, allowing for monthly attendance, connectivity, collaboration, sharing of ideas, with a focus on innovation, best practices, social responsibility and sustainability.”
  • Director

    Tim Smith RGD, Toronto

     

     

     

    Tim is a principal at The Pixel Shop, a Toronto-based studio specializing in interactive design and development. He has 14 years experience designing and building websites, applications and digital media campaigns for some of Canada’s most recognized brands.

    Tim is a principal at The Pixel Shop, a Toronto-based studio specializing in interactive design and development. He has 14 years experience designing and building websites, applications and digital media campaigns  Tim believes that good design is essential to meet business goals, differentiate brands and create meaningful experiences for users. The Pixel Shop was mobile design partner for DesignThinkers 2011. Tim is running for his first term on the Board.


    Goals:
    “In today’s design world, change is happening faster than ever before. Designers need to adapt or risk being left behind. The same is true for our Association. As RGD celebrates its 16th year, the Association must maintain its relevance by embracing new media and design for emerging technologies. If elected, I hope   to establish a new media working group with the goals of increasing the technological literacy of members and attracting more new media designers to the Association.”

     

    Get in touch:
    The Pixel Shop

  • Director

    Kenn Waplington RGD, Toronto

     

     

     

    Trained in England and Europe, Kenn is lead creative at Crescent Group, which he joined in 2005. Arriving in Canada in 1977, Kenn worked as a designer and art director with various design groups before becoming a founding partner of Waplington McGall Design Group.

    Kenn’s expertise – in branding, print, exhibit and web – ensure dynamic and effective creative solutions. He is running for his second term on the Board.

     

    Goals:
    “During my first term I helped create a PR Committee, to promote design awareness through other organizations. I advocate on student issues, among the most important arenas for RGD. I would encourage more dialogue, and the creation of an online resource for students searching for internships. This is an exciting time as we reach out to the design and business communities to increase awareness of RGD, and cement relationships with other organizations.”

     

    Get in touch:
    Crescent Group

Ex Officio Directors
  • Directors ex officio

    Heather Angell, Student Member, Toronto

    Terra Gillespie Provisional RGD, Toronto