Dean of Design at OCAD University

Lesley-Ann Noel, author of Design Social Change, is a designer, researcher, and educator whose work centers equity, social justice, and inclusive design. She foregrounds the voices of those often excluded from traditional design and research processes, with a focus on social innovation, education, and public health. Her scholarship challenges dominant narratives by amplifying designers outside Europe and North America and integrating critical theory into design thinking. Lesley-Ann holds degrees in Industrial Design (UFPR, Brazil), an MBA (University of the West Indies), and a PhD in Design (North Carolina State University). She is Dean of Design at OCAD University (as of August 2024), and has taught at North Carolina State, Tulane, Stanford, and UWI. An active member of the Design Research Society and co-editor of The Black Experience in Design, she was awarded honorary doctorates by UAL (2023) and PNCA (2021) for her contributions to the field.

Director of the Global Center for Climate Action

Jana Macalik is a designer, educator, and academic leader with over 25 years of experience shaping built and cultural environments. She holds a graduate degree in Architecture from Dalhousie University and is completing a doctorate in Higher Education at the University of Toronto’s OISE, focusing on studio-based art and design schools. Jana has held several leadership roles at OCAD University, including Associate Dean of the Faculty of Design and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Art. From 2023 to 2025, she served as Interim Provost and Vice-President (Academic & Research) and then Interim President of NSCAD University. For the academic year 2025/26, she returns to OCAD University as Director of the Global Centre for Climate Action. Her creative work explores “discursive spaces” that bridge tangible and intangible forms of expression to break down societal barriers. She is LEED ID+C accredited, NCIDQ certified, and serves on the editorial board of Curator: The Museum Journal, reflecting her commitment to creative, sustainable, and inclusive learning environments.

Founder, CEO at Ycenter

Started his first company at the age of 19, Dhairya has always been about using technology for humanitarian impact. He is Biomedical Engineer and has experience of living in 3 different countries across 3 different continents.

He has been a global public speaker with invitations from the United Nations, World Bank, World Economic Forum, Social Enterprise World Forum, SXSW, TEDx and top universities and organizations in 15+ countries across 4 continents. His work has been featured in magazines like Entrepreneur, INC, nominated for Forbes 30 under 30 and several other media publications like BBC radio, Huffington post, Philadelphia Business journal to name a few. He has received a visa reserved for individuals of extraordinary abilities from the US immigration services.