Molly is an urban planner and engagement specialist on our team with 15 years of experience working on community-oriented projects. She brings a unique array of skills from her diverse professional background including non-profit management, arts and culture, education, and marketing and communications. Molly is a skilled facilitator who is passionate about turning complex issues into digestible and accessible information to enable more diverse community participation. Throughout her career, she has focused on projects that involve working closely with communities and stakeholders at a variety of scales.  

Some of her projects have included Itst uw’hw-nuts’ ul’wum – We are working as one (Ladysmith Waterfront Area Plan), the Capilano University Campus Master Plan, the 44-acre Kelowna Mill Site, and Community Asset Mapping with the City of Vancouver to help communities develop Resilience Strategies that can be self-maintained and updated. Molly holds a BA (Hons.) in the History of Art from the University of Victoria, and a Master of Urban Studies from Simon Fraser University. 

Dorsa brings over ten years of expertise in shaping vibrant and equitable urban spaces. With a background in architecture and urban design, her career spans across North America, focusing on master plans, city-wide planning studies, urban design guidelines and public realm improvements. Passionate about placemaking, Dorsa has been dedicated to creating public spaces that are lively, bustling, and welcoming to all. Dorsa’s approach is deeply rooted in community-centric values, applying a Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) lens to ensure her designs cater to diverse demographic needs.  

Dorsa actively participates in the design community, often speaking at key planning and design conferences, including OAA and OPPI events. Her recognition as a Champion by the Urban Lands Institute’s Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) is a testament to her influence in the field. Her deep commitment to community engagement is reflected in her co-chair role for the IAP2 Canada Diversity Equity and Inclusion Community of Practice, promoting equitable engagement strategies. Additionally, Dorsa contributes to the ULI America Young Leaders Group Steering Committee and holds a jury role in the DesignTO Festival. 

Since joining our team, recent contributions to projects include the 1200 King Road Transit Oriented Community Visioning and Design, Tecumseh Hamlet Secondary Plan Study, and the City of Toronto Thermal Comfort Study. Dorsa has a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Tehran and a Master of Urban Design from the University of Toronto. 

Amit is an architect and city planner deeply committed to making inclusive cities of opportunity and human connection. Motivated by his vision of urban places that promote climate resiliency and social equity, Amit has led the design of diverse complex city-shaping projects throughout his career. At DIALOG, Amit collaborates with clients, colleagues and community members on projects ranging from urban design guidelines for gently incorporating density into existing neighbourhoods; mixed-use and mixed-income transit oriented places; social housing for vulnerable communities; an aging campus for a spectrum of seniors; a student housing master plan; a tactical urbanism concept for a laneway; and high density residential projects that help expand housing choices in constrained markets. Amit brings a thoughtful attitude, creative problem solving, team leadership, great communication, a visionary perspective, and a balanced approach to every design challenge.

Viewing city-building as a holistic effort that requires the careful and creative integration of the public realm, buildings, infrastructure, programming, and landscape to make loved and valued places, Amit brings expertise in urban design and planning, architectural design, community engagement, storytelling, design strategy and process, and team management to every project. Through the facilitation of open, positive, and constructive conversations, Amit helps the best ideas rise to the surface in a compelling, engaging and respectful way. He believes that great cities are about starting from a place of optimism, building meaningful connections between people, and providing ways for everyone to better their lives through educational and work opportunities. Design is one of many tools to make these things happen, and Amit is happy to provide leadership and contribute to any efforts that help reach these goals.

Amit’s ideas and award-winning projects have been shared widely through speaking engagements, interviews, and publications. Having worked in the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, St. Louis and Johannesburg, Amit believes in design approaches rooted in place. He has won or been on the winning teams for several international design competitions and has served as a Design Advisor at the Mayors’ Institute on City Design, as well as the national board president of Architects Designers Planners for Social Responsibility.

Andrew is an urban and town planning professional with experience stretching from Asia’s global megacities to urban Canada and its smallest maritime communities. His career has focused on formulating and articulating development visions for public and private sector clients and justifying those visions through government policy support and sound land use planning justifications. Across all scales, he strives to find cross-disciplinary and innovative yet pragmatic land-use solutions for clients. Andrew undertakes strategic planning and policy studies, development and planning approval applications, and municipal zoning and bylaw reviews. His extraordinary skills and diligence in working with a wide range of stakeholders (clients, consultants, City staff, government agencies, and the general public) through a collaborative process are known for resulting in successful outcomes.

Khatereh is a passionate urban and landscape designer who strives to make the world a better place to live, work, and play. Her work on neighbourhood and master plans, parks, and public realm projects integrates urban design, landscape design, and architecture. Khatereh tackles challenging urban conditions with a critical, pragmatic and interdisciplinary approach rooted in extensive design knowledge. Her ability to generate creative and innovative designs in a team environment leads to mutually beneficial solutions for stakeholders with diverging interests. As a project manager, Khatereh’s communication skills and analytical, detailed-oriented style enable her to solve problems of all scales while keeping projects on time and budget. With her infectious enthusiasm, she builds strong client relationships and interdisciplinary teams. Khatereh sits on the board for the Ontario Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), is a member of the OALA Recognition Awards committee (HAP), and is involved in the OALA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Force.

Chelsea is an urban planner, project manager and facilitator whose work addresses all aspects of urbanism today. Her portfolio spans traditional policy development, broad-scale master planning, urban design, sustainable urban integration, and public engagement. With a design ethos based on supporting the dynamic relationships between process, people and place, Chelsea believes that exploring the context of a problem is the first step to creating thoughtful, responsive, and resilient design solutions. Among notable projects she has worked on recently are Kinistinâw Park—a gathering place in the heart of The Quarters in downtown Edmonton—and the MacEwan University Campus Master Plan—a 25-year road map for the future development of the University’s buildings and grounds.  

Chelsea is a member of the Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI) and Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP). In her dedication to strengthening the planning profession in Alberta and giving back to the industry, Chelsea has served as an APPI council member and is a sessional instructor at the University of Alberta.

“I only have one lifetime to change the world – to meaningfully improve the wellbeing of communities. I want to make it count. I believe that how we build our cities, communities, buildings, can be part of the solution. And, that the enterprise of city-building requires both engaged collaboration and vision. It’s through dialogue that meaningful understanding is generated and takes root. It’s through imagination and innovation that the conversation moves forward.”

As one of DIALOG’s partners, Antonio’s career has been built at the intersection of design disciplines. As DIALOG Chair, his mission is to leverage the collective creativity and innovation within DIALOG to continue delivering design solutions to the many challenges we face globally – from climate change and equity to social wellbeing.

“I’ve built a career working alongside communities, municipalities, developers, universities, and institutions who look at the challenges in the world and imagine we can be better. Together we create a road map to realize the vision – a master plan, a deep-retrofit building, a walkable street.”

Antonio’s project work has spanned communities from Halifax to Victoria, from Iqaluit to Mérida. A common thread has been the integration of diverse perspectives, through a creative process, for purpose-driven outcomes. As a result, Antonio is internationally recognized for creating transformational and vibrant urban spaces that support their social, economic, and environmental context.

“At DIALOG, we have a foundation of creative, innovative practitioners. Our best work is done collaboratively, with clients and communities that are asking challenging, purpose-driven questions.”

Antonio is frequently called upon to lead conversations on how the design of the built environment can contribute to community wellbeing. He has acted as chair of the Toronto Society of Architects and Vaughan’s Design Review Panel. Antonio is active on several research and advocacy groups, including the Rethinking Rental Roundtable and Planning Research Advisory Committee with CMHC-SCHL and the Advisory Committee for HealthyDesign.city. He became a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada College in 2018, recognized for his outstanding contributions to the design community.

Antonio is also a frequently sought-after speaker for expert panels, keynote presentations, workshops, and guest commentaries. Learn more about Antonio’s past and present engagements.