About
DesignTO is turning 15!
Hear Jeremy Vandermeij, Deborah Wang, Robyn Wilcox and Michael Madjus, the core and driving force behind the DesignTO Festival, talk amongst themselves with some guidance from moderator Melanie Egan, Director of Craft & Design.
Co-presented by Sheridan College and Craft Ontario.
About Deborah Wang

Deborah Wang (MFA, M.Arch, OAA) is a Taiwanese Canadian architect, curator and designer based in Toronto, with a broad range of experiences in contemporary art, design and architecture that spans over two decades. She has independently curated numerous exhibitions and public programs for DesignTO (as Artistic Director) 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, Wang was awarded the Ontario Association of Architects Medal of Service.
About Jeremy Vandermeij

Jeremy Vandermeij is a designer, business strategist and creative leader with nearly 20 years of experience. As the Executive Director and Co-founder of the DesignTO, he leads strategic planning, development and operations. His career includes roles such as Strategic Development Specialist at Husmates and Business Strategist at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Design Fabrication Zone, helping startups scale. Vandermeij also served as Director of Marketing + Sponsorship at Informa Canada. He holds a Master of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation from OCAD University and a Bachelor of Design from Toronto Metropolitan University.
About Robyn Wilcox

Robyn Wilcox is a Toronto-based curator and administrator at the intersection of craft, design and art. She promotes and advocates for craft and design culture in Canada by supporting makers and generating public awareness and appreciation for craft and design. Wilcox holds concurrent roles as the Head of Programming at DesignTO and the Curator at Craft Ontario (formerly the Ontario Crafts Council). She received a Master of Architecture (Post-Professional) from McGill University and a BA from Concordia University.
About Michael Madjus

Michael Revil Madjus is a Toronto-based designer, marketer and creative professional with over a decade of experience in design, marketing and social media. He holds a degree in Industrial Design from OCAD University and has worked with notable organizations such as George Brown College, IMM Living, the Children’s Own Museum, the CN Tower and OCAD U. With a background that spans fashion, photography and art, his work crosses multiple sectors, helping businesses enhance their presence both online and in-person through innovative, creative strategies. Madjus is the Head of Marketing for the non-profit arts organization DesignTO.
About Melanie Egan

Melanie Egan has been involved in the craft and design community for over 35 years. She is the Director of Craft & Design at Harbourfront Centre, a curator and a senior cultural administrator. Recent curated exhibitions include: Elaborate – Contemporary Ceramics (2024); Pullulate: Jess Riva Cooper (2024); Thirty-Six Brooches (2024), Reworking: Micah Adams: (2024); Animal Vegetable Mineral: International Jewellery and AVM c.1700s: Mary Anne Barkhouse (2022). Egan has collaborated with Craft Ontario on two major symposiums, Shifting Ground (2022) and Material Sampling (2020); DesignTO for exhibitions and events at Harbourfront Centre and was on the curatorial team for Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival (2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024). She is currently on the Board of Directors for the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair.