MEET THE SPEAKERS
Session One
WORKSHOP:
How to Utilize PR and Influencer Strategies
Jennifer Singh
CEO
She's Newsworthy Media
Jennifer Singh is a former TV reporter turned entrepreneur, speaker and CEO of She’s Newsworthy Media. Before entrepreneurship, Jennifer worked in the Canadian media industry for over 15 years as a reporter, producer and writer for CTV, CBC, Global and CP24. She has been featured in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Global News, CTV speaking and The Social speaking about imposter syndrome, women in business and the need for more inclusive marketing. Jennifer was also featured in a national campaign for International Women’s Day in partnership with Mercedes-Benz Canada and Pink Tartan.
Session Two
PANEL:
Futureproof your Business
Marla Baker
Founder & Business Development Specialist
MarlaBaker.ca
Marla Baker is a Business Development Specialist and recognized Design Community Advocate. Known as a matchmaker in the industry, Marla connects Architects and Designers with the brands, services, events and seminars that are meaningful to them.
Marla produces results for the companies she represents while supporting and understanding the needs of the Design Community.
Trevor Kruse
Registered Interior Designer, NCIDQ
CEO
Interior Designers of Canada (IDC)
Trevor Kruse is the founder (1999) and past Principal Designer of Hudson Kruse Design. In September of 2020, he retired from the firm to become the CEO with the profession’s national organization, the Interior Designers of Canada (IDC). As well as enjoying a 35-year career as a professional interior designer, Trevor has spent nearly three decades of volunteer service on provincial, national, and international boards.
Trevor graduated with a degree in Interior Design from Ryerson University and now sits on the Advisory Council for the School of Interior Design. He has been a role model for students and young designers; acting as mentor, teacher, and colleague to countless graduates from the ten recognized schools in Ontario. He received the Outstanding Achievement Award from Ryerson University in 2003 for his leadership and mentoring roles.
Trevor’s dedication, passion and leadership continues to advance the profession of Interior Design.
Stacey Cohen
Designer and Principal
Stacey Cohen Design
Driven by her passion for designing functional and sophisticated spaces to live, work and grow in, Stacey established Stacey Cohen Design in 2010. Beyond materializing her client’s vision into a reality, Stacey believes in providing the finest solutions to improve not just the aesthetic of a space, but the quality of work and living environments. With her skilled team of industry professionals at her side, she uses her meticulous approach to redefine the lifestyle and design experience one project at a time.
As the creative backbone of the firm, Stacey draws from her International Academy of Design & Technology education as well as her unique and bespoke aesthetic to ensure that the design outcome is thoughtful, functional and as unique as the client. With her years of hands-on industry experience, including working alongside a high-profile developer in Toronto, Stacey understands her clients’ needs and interprets their wishes and lifestyles through her commercial and residential designs.
Sam Sacks
Principal Designer
Sam Sacks Design Inc.
A former magazine editor, Sam's work reflects a deep understanding of her clients' needs, paired with a fundamental knowledge of architectural history backed by wild inspiration.
A story teller at heart, Sam believes great design is about capturing the essence of a person, a mood, or a moment and translating it into something we can touch and feel.
Voted by the Globe and Mail as one of the top three designers in the country, Sam is regularly featured in interior design publications nationally and internationally and photos of her work have graced the pages of some of the most reputable authorities on design.
In Canada, House & Home magazine, Style at Home magazine and The Toronto Star regularly feature Sam's work. Internationally, Sam Sacks Design has been profiled in House Beautiful, Living Etc., Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, My Domaine, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce and Rue Magazine.
A strong member of her community, Sam has launched a charitable giving and matching campaign called Gimme Shelter wherein clients are invited to donate 1% of their fees to housing initiatives.
Sam is deeply embedded in peer to peer collaboration, she has been invited to speak on the business of design and is currently nominated as part of the RBC Women of Influence Awards series.
Sam's design goals are loose, cool and liveable.