Introducing this year’s judges for three IDC awards programs.
Jump to: Value of Design Awards || Innovation in Design Thinking Student Competition || Innovation Awards
Value of Design Awards
These awards shine a spotlight on Canadian interior designers by providing a forum to showcase the benefits of design thinking: an empathetic, inventive, and iterative process focused on the human experience within interior spaces.
Mardi Najafi
Principal, Chief Creative Officer, Retail + Hospitality Practice Lead, SDI Design
Mardi Najafi is a highly accomplished, award-winning designer with over three decades of trailblazing experience at the forefront of the design world. Renowned for his multi-disciplinary approach, Mardi is deeply passionate about the transformative power of design. A visionary leader and creative force, Mardi sees design as a tool to evoke powerful emotions, craft unforgettable experiences, and create a lasting impact that transcends spaces.
His impressive career spans a wide range of high-profile projects, from bespoke retail boutiques to expansive branded environments for some of the world’s most iconic companies, including Adidas, Coca-Cola, Telus, Loblaws, Mattel, Nike, Penguin, Keilhauer, Virgin Mobile, and Versace. With a diverse global portfolio that stretches across Paris, New York, Toronto, and beyond, Mardi has a unique talent for blending cutting-edge innovation with cultural relevance.
As the Principal, Chief Creative Officer, and Retail & Hospitality Practice Lead at SDI Design, Mardi is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of design, consistently striving to create immersive, dynamic environments that engage and inspire. He’s known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to fuse art with commerce, ensuring that every space is not only visually captivating but also deeply meaningful. His work continues to redefine the way brands connect with their audiences, setting new standards for customer experiences that extend far beyond the physical space.
Laney Stewart
Executive Director, The Professional Interior Designers Institute of Manitoba (PIDIM)
Laney Stewart is the Executive Director of PIDIM and a seasoned Professional Interior Designer with experience in both residential and commercial interior design. Laney’s involvement with various industry organizations, including serving as PIDIM President, has allowed her to shape the future of design while mentoring the next generation of professionals.
As a volunteer and board member of different non-design organizations, Laney is a firm believer in the power of giving back. She advocates for the importance of volunteering and networking, viewing them as critical to personal and professional success.
Outside of her career, Laney enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and their dog and cat. A lover of road trips and swimming, she seeks out adventure and relaxation by the water, all while enjoying the joys of family life.
Nancy Logan
Associate, Senior Interior Designer, Intern Interior Designer AAA, BAID, CHID, NCIDQ, IDAA, Dialog
DIALOG Associate and Certified Healthcare Interior Designer with the American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers, Nancy Logan has the unique gift of transforming complex, highly technical interior spaces into environments that foster a sense of wellbeing and delight. With over 17 years of experience, she has contributed to the design of a variety of large-scale healthcare facilities and smaller medical centers across Canada.
Nancy is dedicated to empowering the healthcare design community by fostering knowledge sharing and connections among passionate designers. Her focus on infection prevention, accessibility, detailing, and creating healing environments is evident in every project. A central figure of the DIALOG healthcare team, she is a collaborative and supportive leader and mentor who inspires those around her with her meticulous nature and dedication to craft, embodying a commitment to community wellbeing and design excellence.
Nancy’s deep passion for healthcare has contributed to projects including but not limited to the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Walter C. Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre’s Brain Centre Redevelopment, Toronto Western Hospital’s New Patient Tower, Medical Imaging Consultants, Canadian Blood Services, and Markdale Hospital.
Innovation in Design Thinking: Student Competition
Founded in 2021, this competition provides students with a national platform to demonstrate the value of interior design and illustrate the positive impact design has on the users of the spaces, supported by evidence-based research.
Julianna Kaiser
Founder and Registered Interior Designer, Studio Kaiser
Studio Kaiser, founded by Julianna Kaiser, brings modern interior design solutions to residential and commercial projects across the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia.
Julianna was born in Penticton and raised on the Naramata Bench therefore the Okanagan Valley has always been home. Upon moving to Toronto in 2010, Julianna obtained a Bachelor of Interior Design (BID) degree from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2014. When she returned to the Okanagan Valley in 2020, she received a National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) designation in 2023. Over the past decade, she has gained valuable experience in the architecture and design field across Canada, collaborating with allied professionals, vendors and trades to provide practical design solutions for public, commercial and residential clients. The studio prioritizes the use of sustainable and functional materials, following a design philosophy of « less is more » that is rooted in modernist architecture and design. Each project by Studio Kaiser is unique and tailored to fit the specific requirements, preferences, budget, and goals of the client.
Julianna is a Registered Interior Designer with the Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia (IDIBC) and is an active professional member of the Okanagan Society of Interior Designers (OSID) and Interior Designers of Canada (IDC).
Vera Gisarov
Project Director, Principal, MCR, ARIDO, IDC, NCIDQ, LEED AP ID+C, WELL AP, IA Interior Architects
With over 25 years in Interior Design and Architecture, Vera Gisarov is a distinguished design leader based in Toronto, specializing in complex commercial interiors. She has extensive experience in North America and globally, delivering workplace headquarters and retail flagships that seamlessly blend functionality and design.
Vera is a published author, contributing insightful articles on wellness and design to notable publications such as The Globe and Mail, National Post, and Canadian Facility Management. Her thought leadership reflects her commitment to integrating wellness into design, promoting environments that foster productivity and well-being.
An active leader in the Toronto real estate community, Vera has held significant roles in organizations including NAIOP, CoreNet, ARIDO and CREW, the Commercial Real Estate Women’s Toronto Chapter, where she is currently President Elect. Her dedication to advancing women to positions of leadership and influence, continues to strengthen and expand diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout Toronto’s design, architecture and real estate communities.
Innovation Awards
This awards program, which is exclusive to IDC’s Industry Partners, was established in 1984 to honour excellence in product design and new showroom creativity.
Amanda Lwanga
Creative Director, Linger Design Studio
With over 17 years of experience as a licensed Professional Environmental Engineer, and a masters in sustainable architecture, Amanda has transformed her passion for the sciences into an art form.
Her unique background has been a tremendous asset in her ability to take on complex projects, as she understands that great interiors are not possible without great architecture and vice versa.
Amanda’s unique perspective is rooted in her love of fine arts, and her methodical approach to problem-solving. She believes that art, science, and design are all governed by similar principles and that interdisciplinary problem-solving leads to the most meaningful results.
Her design practice is a culmination of her life experiences, and she approaches each project with a balance of creativity and practicality. Her work is a symphony of colors, textures, and movement, creating a three-dimensional art that elicits an emotional response from her clients.
Amanda has built a reputation for excellence and serves homeowners and businesses across Canada who are seeking to reduce their impact on the environment while basking in an elevated space. She takes great pride in creating something out of nothing, and the joy and purpose she derives from her work are evident in every project she undertakes.
Amanda’s work has been featured in Ella Canada, House and Home, Refinery 29, Western Living Magazine and The Globe and Mail. She has also been a guest expert on Cityline TV, Global News and CTV Edmonton.
Peter Sobchak
Editor in Chief, Canadian Interiors & Building magazines
Peter Sobchak has been examining and discussing topics related to design, architecture and real estate development in Canada through various mediums for over 20 years. He is Editor in Chief of Canadian Interiors and Building magazines, his writing has appeared in publications in England, Germany, the Netherlands, China and elsewhere, and his work has won several National Magazine Awards.
Beyond the realm of publishing, he was also the host and producer of Building Toronto, a limited-run series which aired on Rogers TV, and is currently hosting and producing the podcast series Bevel: Canadian Interiors Conversations, which is available on a variety of streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Sara Viarengo
Architect, Partner and Co-Founder, ec&co
Sara Viarengo is an architect, interior designer, and design business consultant with over a decade of international experience across Canada, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. As partner and co-founder of ec&co, a multidisciplinary design and consulting studio, Sara specializes in design strategy, creative direction, material research, and project management. Her work spans interiors, architecture, and product development, with a strong focus on aligning aesthetic vision with functional and sustainable outcomes.
Since 2011, Sara has been based between Milan and Toronto, collaborating with leading trade shows and industry associations in Canada, Italy, the UK, Malaysia, and Indonesia— particularly within the design, hospitality, food and beverage, and foodservice sectors. This cross-cultural exposure has allowed her to build a wide-reaching international network and a deep understanding of global market dynamics.
Her design approach is rooted in the integration of Eastern philosophies—such as Vastu, Feng Shui, and yoga principles—with Western frameworks like the WELL Building Standard and biophilic design research. Sara believes that product and spatial design should actively support well-being, and much of her work explores how to translate these values into tangible experiences.
All award winners will be honoured at IDC’s award celebration. In addition, all winning projects will be featured on IDC’s website, newsletter, and promoted on IDC’s social media channels.
Please contact communications@idcanada.org with your inquiries.
