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DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL
Isabel graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Software Design and Applications in China. After graduation, she joined GE Healthcare China as a marketing manager. Since 2010, Isabel has devoted herself to the education industry. She joined Education First as the Regional Director responsible for kids & teens English education in Beijing, China. More than ten years of this work has made Isabel more aware of her love for education and its impact on the community.
She spends most of her time working, not because she has to, but because she’s passionate about this job and enjoys it so much.
ACADEMIC DEAN
Donna’s interests in interior design and learning collided when she taught Interior Decorating at Algonquin College in Ottawa for the first time. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Masters in Education, and working as an instructional designer for the federal government and for high tech companies, she made the transition to design by studying art and architecture at Carleton University. Passionate about promoting people-centred design, she started her own residential interior decorating firm and online consulting service, enabling her to help clients in Munich, San Diego, and Ottawa, all on the same day.
Donna enjoys island life with her family, and recently spent an embarrassing amount of time redesigning and rebuilding the family hamster enclosure, as per her client’s wishes.
ACADEMIC COORDINATOR
REGISTRAR
Windy Chan is a highly motivated and experienced professional with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree earned in 2012. With over six years of comprehensive experience in sales, administration, and marketing, she brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to her role at PDA. Prior to joining PDA, Windy honed her skills as an administration officer at Wincy Education Holdings Limited, where she effectively managed registration and reception duties.
Windy relocated to Victoria from Hong Kong in 2020 and her adaptability and cultural sensitivity make her well-equipped to work with the diverse student body at PDA. In her free time, she enjoys exploring her creative side through painting, photography, and playing badminton.
COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH CONTENT WRITER
Millie has always been drawn to different artistic expressions, shaping her life from an early age. Initially establishing herself as a professional ballet dancer, she later ventured into the realm of contemporary dance. Seeking to expand her expertise in the cultural field, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Cultural Management at the University of Guadalajara in Mexico. During her studies, she was awarded a Fellowship at the Institute for Knowledge Management and Learning in Virtual Environments, where she supported two social and cultural research projects. Upon graduating, Millie worked in the communications department for The Museum of the Arts of the University of Guadalajara.
In 2021, she relocated to Canada to pursue a certificate in Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences at the University of Victoria. Millie finds joy spending her days reading books, visiting cafes and the local public library, and indulging in watching films.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
When Tracy Zhang came to Victoria for the first time, she was attracted by the amazing scenery and reveled in the quiet and peaceful atmosphere. She chose to move here from Richmond with her family that same year. She graduated from Shanghai, China and has worked at Bosch Asia Pacific Headquarters, Baidu Shanghai R&D Center, Volvo Cars Distribution and MPG Consulting. With more than 15 years of administrative work experience, she has extensive and professional communication and listening skills. While working for Volvo, she successfully renovated the Shanghai and Taiwan offices and became a model for the global Volvo Group’s “Day at Work” project in the Asia-Pacific region.
In her spare time, Tracy is a planting enthusiast and is happy to share her planting harvests with her friends and neighbors.
EQUIPMENT MANAGER
Bradley Wang, A.K.A. “Super Bradley,” studied at Xi’an Communication University in China. Bradley got his Bachelors Degree in 1995 in Computers and Applications. After graduating, Bradley was a building control system engineer at the Beichen Group Company in Beijing. In 2012 Bradley opened his own company, Hankean Technology, a parts supplier and service provider for building control and fire alarm systems. In 2019, he moved to Canada and began studying English. In 2021 Bradley became the equipment and technologies manager at Pacific Design Academy.
Outside of his professional life he loves to travel, try new foods, and take things apart to see how they work!
FACILITIES MANAGER
René Bravo has over 20 years of experience working in the hospitality industry. He has managed teams for a variety of hotel chains and heritage properties, including Best Western, Ramada, Marriot, and AMICA Luxury Senior Retirement Homes. René has completed a Diploma in Tourism and Hotel Administration from Camosun College. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Administration from the Austral University of Chile and another from the Business Administration program in Madrid, Spain. René has worked for Pacific Design Academy for 14 years.
Department Head – Interior Design & Building Technology
Patel came to Victoria in 2012 to pursue his Master’s in Mechanical Engineering at UVic. He instantly fell in love with the place, and it has been home ever since. After working for some high-end companies like Airbus Aeroplanes and Mercedes-Benz Fuel Cell, he decided to travel the world and work as a contractor for the restaurant industry. For the past few years, he has been working with Burger King, Denny’s, KFC and Wings to develop the British Columbia and Alberta market.
In addition to teaching, Patel is involved in other business ventures, including ownership of downtown’s Artemis speakeasy whiskey bar, as well as the boutique convenience store Peaches and Pepper Market.
Instructor – Interior Design & Building Technology
Hala Qasqas is a doctoral candidate awarded a Graduate Fellowship at the Department of Art History and Visual Studies at the University of Victoria. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts Specializing in Interior Architecture, and she completed a master’s degree in Islamic Art History at the University of Damascus. Also, she studied 3D Animation and Visual Effects program at Sheridan College in Ontario.
Hala has a fifteen years experience in interior architecture in Syria, Dubai and Beirut and 10 years experience teaching interior design and drawing. Hala worked in urban documentation for Damascus in the area of research includes Islamic art and architecture in Mamluk and Ottoman Eras. She published five books and several research papers in refereed journals between 2012 and 2021.
Instructor – Interior Design & Building Technology
Luis Hernandez is the owner and principal designer at HomeAmor interior design studio. He graduated from Pacific Design Academy and is excited to be back as part of the educational team.
Luis looks forward to sharing his lived experiences with the students after graduating from the same school as a professional designer.
Instructor – Interior Design & Building Technology
Paolo Narváez has a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Ecuador and a Master’s degree in Construction Management from Barcelona. With professional experience in designing buildings and developing real estate for residential, corporate, and commercial projects, Paolo has also worked as a lecturer in Ecuador. He’s passionate about the transformative impact of design and likes to focus his attention to detail. Paolo has hands-on experience with BIM technologies like Revit and is proficient in software such as AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUP, 3Ds Max, and Lumion.
In his free time, he enjoys traveling, exploring natural areas, and spending quality moments with family and friends.
Instructor – Interior Design
Cindy Falcony graduated as an Architect in Mexico City. She is passionate about biomimicry, green architecture, design, and space planning, which is why she decided to get a Master’s degree in Bioclimatic Architecture.
She has more than 17 years of expertise in the real estate field and worked with large companies in multifamily, commercial and residential developments. She has been a project design instructor at Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City.
After arriving in Victoria with her three Boxer dogs three years ago, and finishing a Business Administration Diploma at UVIC, she and her business partner started their own renovation business. She considers herself a lifelong learner and believes that the best way to learn is by sharing with others by teaching.
Instructor – Interior Design & Building Technology
Instructor – Building Technology
Sam Punzalan is a civil engineer and master plumber in the Philippines. She recently moved to Canada to pursue a Business Administration degree at the University of Victoria.
She is a skilled draftsperson with a passion for precision in design. With three years of experience in drafting and construction, Sam specializes in transforming ideas into detailed, accurate technical drawings. Proficient in CAD software and possessing a keen eye for detail, she excels in bringing concepts to life through meticulous drafting, ensuring every blueprint meets both aesthetic and functional requirements.
Outside of work she loves reading, watching movies, playing volleyball, and cooking.
Instructor – Interior Design & Building Technology
Ryan Morhart’s experience since graduating at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in 2002 has included design and production of custom furnishings and millwork, and construction management with emphasis on hospitality related projects with additional experience in residential, commercial light industrial construction. Ryan also has 17 years of experience in municipal government with focus on the development approval process, administration, application and interpretation of building codes.
Ryan has accreditation and experience as a safety codes officer / building inspector in two provinces and three municipalities and currently holds the position of Chief Building Official with the City of Victoria where he manages the Permits & Inspection division.
Instructor – Interior Design
Bio coming soon!
GRAPHIC MEDIA DESIGN
Department Head – Graphic Design
Kevin Zak (MDes) has taught design studies and typography at the University of Alberta and facilitates museum exhibition design workshops for Alberta Museums Association. He specializes in book and exhibition design in his professional practice, and was a designer at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in southern Alberta. His Master’s thesis investigated the positive aspects of sketching by hand for ideation in early post-secondary design education.
Kevin has a personal passion for pop-up books.
Instructor – Graphic Design
After starting studies at the Alberta College of Arts and Design, Alastair’s fascination with other cultures led him to Berlin where he completed his studies, receiving his B.A. in Visual Communications from the University of the Arts. He continued to live there for over 20 years before returning to Victoria in 2005.
He has worked for over 25 years in the field: his experience ranges from being a freelance designer to a marketing communications Manager for multinationals in Europe including Sony’s IT division headquartered in Brussels. He was responsible there for managing web, print & advertising campaigns, as well as exhibitions, product packaging, POS displays, sales incentive tools and giveaways. Other roles have included Art Direction for local magazines and teaching at Western Academy of Photography.
He hugely enjoys the process and challenges of getting to know people, their products and services and then finding effective strategies for communicating with their target markets, and helps to impact this passion to his students.
Alastair also works as a design consultant in Victoria BC for local and European clients large and small.
Instructor – Graphic Design
After studying graphic design at Leicester Polytechnic in England, Derek embarked on a career in the creative communication world that has taken him from London to Montreal, Toronto and finally, Victoria.
As an art director and creative director with several leading agencies his work garnered numerous domestic and international awards.
Encouraged to enter the world of education, he put his decades of experience to work as a Professor in the Pilon School of Business at Sheridan College in Ontario with a course focusing on the symbiotic relationship between the creative arts and the business world.
He continues to share this perspective on design with students at the Pacific Design Academy.
Jennifer is a software engineer, software educator, graphic designer, and program manager who has worked for companies small to large, domestic to international.
With degrees in Electrical Engineering (BS), Computer Science (BS & MS), and Business (MBA Marketing & Operations), Jennifer has recently added a Graphic Design diploma from PDA. A believer in lifelong learning, Jennifer thinks education is the greatest gift people can give themselves. As a PDA instructor, she continues her own learning from students and colleagues.
In addition to PDA and freelance work, she is a partner in a consulting practice that specializes in mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Instructor – Graphic Design
Instructor – Graphic Design
Lindsay Stead supports entrepreneurs looking to build a sustainable business that makes an impact, all while having fun and staying true to who they are. When working with Lindsay, clients get a dose of accountability, strategy, support, friendship, cheerleading, and everything in between.
Building genuine relationships online didn’t always come easily to Lindsay; a true INFJ, Lindsay has always valued her privacy and alone time, often needing it to recharge. This basis of understanding enables Lindsay to support fellow introverts and shy entrepreneurs build their businesses without being in that constant state of burnout.
Instructor – Graphic Design
Brian Foot is a graphic artist with a creative design focus. He got his start when he apprenticed under an internationally renowned type designer. From agency art director to studio artist to lead designer, he’s worn all the hats. His teaching focus is on blurring the divide between head and mouse, analog and digital.
MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION
Jules began working in the film and television industry in 1999, co-creating an award-winning Canadian PSA called ‘Frog’. As an experienced filmmaker generalist, Jules has worked as a writer, producer, director, cinematographer, editor, colorist, composer and more.
After working as a Producer’s Assistant for Legacy Films at Lionsgate Studios and Creative Director at MediaSphere/Mix3 Productions, Jules and his wife Chloe moved to Gabriola Island to start a family. Jules has produced for and worked with TELUS, CBC, OWN, KNOWLEDGE NETWORK, APTN, TED, Amnesty International, BC Schizophrenia Society, “G.I.F.T.S.”, Gabriola Arts Council, R.P.S. Media, Gumboot Productions, and more.
Instructor – Motion Picture Production
Instructor – Motion Picture Production
Instructor – Motion Picture Production
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY & IMAGING
Instructor – Professional Photography & Imaging
Alyssa is a professionally trained photographer from Calgary. She primarily shoots work for commercial clients, and is passionate about accessible education. She particularly likes photographing people, where she aims to showcase diversity and uplift minority voices. She has experience working with advertising agencies, fashion beauty brands, as well as various editorial clients.
After 37 years of service in the military, Michel Ingram decided it was time to invest in his second career. This led him to pursue a diploma in Professional Photography and Imaging with Pacific Design Academy, where he graduated with honours. As a freelance photographer, his current portfolio revolves around portraiture and fashion photography.
An important part of his philosophy is giving back. In addition to working at PDA, he teaches photography to seniors at Sooke Regional Life Long Learning and volunteers with the Achieve Anything Foundation. His work is informed by the Ansel Adams quote:
“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.”
FASHION DESIGN
Department Head – Fashion Design
For Mohaddeseh Taheri, fashion design was an obvious first choice when she was a teen. She gained her associate’s degree in sewing and design clothes from Tehran Girls’ Technical and Vocational College. She further solidified her design skills with a BA in Technology of Design and Sewing Clothes from the University of Applied Science and Technology in Tehran while learning more about 3D software. Her time at Politecnico di Milano in Italy allowed her to see the world in a way that was both technologically and environmentally advanced.
After obtaining a MSc in Design for the Fashion System, she returned to Iran and started an eco-friendly fashion brand so that she might fulfill her share of humanity’s responsibility to the earth.
Instructor – Fashion Design
Stephanie Mould is a graduate of the Pacific Design Academy Fashion Design Program and before that the part time Garment Construction class.
She now works as the Canadian Lead and Victoria Tailor for Fjällräven after starting there part time while taking her PDA courses. She continues to offer made to order clothing through her brand, Smouldy, created as her final collection. Tailoring and sustainability are her main focuses with fashion.
Instructor – Fashion Design
Michael Osbourne is a highly experienced fashion stylist with over 15 years in the industry. He has a strong passion for fashion and film, and excels in garment fitting, wardrobe styling, and costume research.
With a background working in the film industry with high-profile names like Patti Henderson and Ken Shapkin, he is now looking to share his expertise as he teaches aspiring stylists and designers. He is committed to supporting and shaping the next generation of fashion professionals.
APPLICATIONS & WEB DEVELOPMENT
Instructor – App & Web Development
Bio coming soon!
Mahdi Tasfin is a software architect with a passion for teaching. Specializing in cloud native infrastructure, Mahdi has a unique ability to break down complex technical concepts and make them accessible to learners of all ages.
Mahdi is dedicated to helping others understand and navigate the ever-evolving world of technology and is excited to share his knowledge with students.
Nabil Nazri is a newly-graduated Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science student. Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and spending his early and adolescent years living in other countries such as Qatar and Indonesia, he yearns for a life of learning and adventure. Graduating from the University of Victoria, Nabil contributed time working for non-profits, managing culture clubs, and taking part in leadership activities. It’s the variety of people and intellect present, and the quiet homey feel surrounding him that had him make Victoria his home.
His hobbies include learning how to code, playing the guitar, and learning to speak other languages. He hopes to be a successful full-stack web developer one day and later on pursue his own SAAS start-up.
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE LEKWUNGEN TRADITIONAL TERRITORIES THAT PACIFIC DESIGN ACADEMY STANDS UPON, AND THE SONGHEES, ESQUIMALT AND W̱SÁNEĆ PEOPLES
WHOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THESE LANDS CONTINUES TO THIS DAY.