Meet the 2025 Best in Design Awards Jury

Get to know the judges behind our inaugural Best in Design Awards!

Handpicked from every corner of Toronto’s vibrant design scene, this year’s Best in Design Awards (BDAs) jury knows exactly what it takes to make spaces stand out. With honed perspectives and deep expertise spanning construction, architecture, furniture design, and more, they’re ready to spotlight the city’s most exciting and innovative projects.

Andrew Hill, Co-Founder, StudioAC

Andrew is the co-founder of StudioAC—whose early work focused primarily on small-scale retail, single-family residential renovations, and new homes. Recently the practice has leveraged this experience to develop several small-scale and neighbourhood-based, multi-unit residential projects across Toronto. Andrew previously worked at KPMB Architects and studied architecture and planning at Dalhousie University in Halifax and Strathclyde University in Glasgow.

Deborah Wang, Artistic Director, DesignTO | Principal, dw /a

Deborah Wang (MFA, M.Arch, OAA) is a Taiwanese Canadian architect, curator and designer, with a broad range of experiences in contemporary art, design and architecture over two decades. Alongside her role as DesignTO’s artistic director, Deborah launched her own architecture and design studio dw /a in 2022. She has curated numerous exhibitions and public programs for DesignTO, independently, and for cultural institutions in Toronto. She serves as a moderator for design talks, a guest critic for design school reviews, a juror for public art and awards programs, and on the Toronto Biennial of Art’s Board of Directors. Recently, Deborah was awarded the Ontario Association of Architects’s Medal of Service.

Elizabeth Pagliacolo, Editor-in-Chief, AZURE

Elizabeth is a National Magazine Award–winning writer and editor, and has reported on design fairs around the world, covered prominent architecture projects and delved into new trends and technologies. She has also interviewed the leading lights of modern architecture and design, such as Patricia Urquiola, Lawrence Scarpa and Walter Hood, and participated on design juries in Toronto and New York. From 2016 to 2017, she was the director of programming at Expo for Design, Innovation and Technology (EDIT). At Azure, she leads the editorial team in conceptualizing and producing six print issues a year, helps organize the AZ Awards, and guides the content programming of Human/Nature, AZURE’s climate conference inaugurated in 2024.

Eric Mutrie, Senior Editor, AZURE

Eric is a senior editor at Azure magazine. After studying architecture at university, he developed a lasting enthusiasm for telling stories about design. Over the course of his media career, he has interviewed industry titans like Frank Gehry, identified new talents and trends at international trade fairs and cast a spotlight on the social and sustainable changemakers moving the world forward. He has over 10 years of editorial experience, including a previous position as associate editor of Designlines.

George Antonopoulos, Fashion and Creative Director, FASHION Magazine

George Antonopoulos, the creative and fashion director of FASHION magazine since 2019, has led the publication’s resurgence by creating a distinct visual identity defined by a modern, elevated edge and a commitment to representation. A highly sought-after fashion creative and freelancer, George began contributing to FASHION as a fashion editor in 2005, and his work has consistently generated zeitgeist-defining moments that leap from the page into cultural discourse. His contributions have earned him recognition with CAFA and National Magazine Awards.

Jennifer Kudlats, Co-Founder, StudioAC

Jennifer is a co-founder of StudioAC—an award-winning practice and Designlines‘ 2023 Designer of the Year. She is a registered architect and sessional lecturer at the John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto. She received a Bachelor of Environmental Design and a Master of Architecture from Dalhousie University School of Architecture, where she graduated with Honours and received the Ghost Lab scholarship for overall excellence in a body of work throughout her Master’s studies.

Jonathan Jacobs, Chief of Project Development, Walden Homes | Host, Behind The Build

Having been at Walden Homes for seven years, Jonathan now acts as Chief of Project Development, where he focuses on building connections and driving growth. He is the co-creator and host of the company’s podcast Behind the Build, powered by Walden Homes, which features guests from the local, national and international design community—delving into the stories behind the people who shape our built world.

Joseph Cicerone, Editor-in-Chief, Designlines

As editor-in-chief of Designlines, Joseph drives the editorial vision of Toronto’s leading voice in contemporary design. With a sharp focus on innovation and style, Joseph curates engaging content that highlights the best in local interior design and architecture. Through his leadership, Designlines continues to shape conversations around design excellence, championing the city’s most creative minds and setting new standards for what defines exceptional design in Toronto.

Mischa Couvrette, Principal, hollis+morris

Mischa developed his appreciation for design while spending time with a group of budding architects as he worked towards his bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences at Dalhousie University. He began crafting furniture on the East Coast before arriving in Toronto via a yearlong sail to Guatemala. His designs display an unwavering devotion to honest materials, a reflection of his straight-shooting nature, and his stewardship of the hollis+morris brand.

Richard Sakic, Owner, Calligaris Toronto

For 14 years, Richard has been a partner in Calligaris Toronto, driven by a passion for modern design and business. Before venturing into retail, he built a reputation in corporate communications, honing skills in strategy, branding and client relations. With a focus on modern Italian furnishings for both residential and contract applications, he is continuously working to stay on top of the current state of design, decor and architecture.

Rui Mateus Amaral, Artistic Director, MOCA

Bringing a rich blend of experience and creative vision, Mateus Amaral focuses on developing a diverse range of interdisciplinary exhibitions and programmes as artistic director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto (MOCA). His leadership showcases the museum’s dedication to inclusivity, diversity and artistic excellence through 21st-century production and the commissioning of new work. Previously, he served as senior adjunct curator at MOCA, joining the team in 2019 during the museum’s transition to its new home in the Tower Automotive Building.

Shauna Levy, Director of Art, Culture and Strategic Programming, FREED Developments

Shauna is no stranger to the design world. In 1999, she created and cofounded the Interior Design Show (IDS), North America’s largest design fair. She is also the former CEO of Design Exchange where she created high-profile exhibitions, and education programs as well as the Expo for Design Innovation and Technology (EDIT), a 10-day design festival in partnership with the UN. Shauna is now the director of art, culture and strategic programming for FREED Developments, a new position for the celebrated developer where she creates a bespoke cultural layer of experience for the hotel and resort portfolio.

Have a project that stands out?
Learn more about the Best in Design Awards and enter here.