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Exclusive Event

Leaders in Design: Shaping the Future of Design

We hosted a forward-looking conversation in Toronto with senior design and innovation leaders.

  • BrainStation Toronto
  • Event Recap
  • Aug 13, 2025
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  • Renee Racine-Kinnear

    Renee Racine-Kinnear

    Head of Design

    RBC
  • Will Maclvor

    Will Maclvor

    Head of Design

    Kijiji
  • Tania Makroo

    Tania Makroo

    Partner & Platform Design Leader

    Salesforce

In Toronto, design leaders from RBC, Kijiji, and Salesforce shared insights on the evolving role of design, the impact of AI on creativity and decision-making, and strategies for building cohesive experiences across platforms. Renée Racine-Kinnear, William MacIvor, and Tania Makroo offered candid perspectives on how technology is reshaping the future of design leadership and customer experience.

  • Renee Racine-Kinnear

    Renee Racine-Kinnear

    Head of Design

    Renée Racine‑Kinnear is Head of Design at RBC, leading experience strategy and UX design initiatives that shape seamless customer journeys. With over 15 years in UX and CX, Renée is known for user‑centered design methods, from journey mapping to persona‑driven strategy.

  • Will Maclvor

    Will Maclvor

    Head of Design

    William MacIvor brings a rare interdisciplinary background to Kijiji, with degrees in architecture and physics, and over a decade of leadership in product and design. At Kijiji, he leads experience strategy, applying systems thinking and research-driven processes.

  • Tania Makroo

    Tania Makroo

    Partner & Platform Design Leader

    Tania Makroo leads Partner & Platform Design at Salesforce, where she shapes user-centric design strategies that elevate the partner ecosystem and platform experiences. With a deep focus on collaboration, systems thinking, and scalable design solutions, she’s committed to building intuitive experiences that drive impact at scale.

More Upcoming Events

Jan 21

Marketing Evenings TO

Inside Team Canada’s 2026 Olympic Brand

Join Kelley Tessier, Senior Director of Brand and Digital Marketing at the Canadian Olympic Committee, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how Team Canada is redefining what it means to represent a nation on the world stage.

  • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EST
  • 482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON
  • $25
Kelley Tessier

Kelley Tessier

Senior Director Brand and Digital Marketing

Discussion Topics:

  • The Creative Spark
  • Telling a National Story
  • Bringing the Brand to Life
Jan 21
Marketing Evenings TO Inside Team Canada’s 2026 Olympic Brand

Join Kelley Tessier, Senior Director of Brand and Digital Marketing at the Canadian Olympic Committee, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how Team Canada is redefining what it means to represent a nation on the world stage.

  • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EST
  • 482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON
  • $25
Kelley Tessier

Kelley Tessier

Senior Director Brand and Digital Marketing

Discussion Topics:

  • The Creative Spark
  • Telling a National Story
  • Bringing the Brand to Life
View Event
Jan 22

Marketing Evenings TO

The Future of the Creator Economy with #paid

Kristen Philippi shares #paid’s latest insights into the creator economy, what was forecasted for 2025, what’s unfolding now in 2026, and the major shifts set to transform creator-led media and commerce next.

  • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EST
  • 482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON
  • $25
Kristen Philippi

Kristen Philippi

Lead Creative Strategist

Discussion Topics:

  • 2025 Future Flashbacks
  • 2026 Low Hanging Fruit
  • 2026 Predictions
Jan 22
Marketing Evenings TO The Future of the Creator Economy with #paid

Kristen Philippi shares #paid’s latest insights into the creator economy, what was forecasted for 2025, what’s unfolding now in 2026, and the major shifts set to transform creator-led media and commerce next.

  • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EST
  • 482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON
  • $25
Kristen Philippi

Kristen Philippi

Lead Creative Strategist

Discussion Topics:

  • 2025 Future Flashbacks
  • 2026 Low Hanging Fruit
  • 2026 Predictions
View Event
Jan 27

Creators of Toronto

Building a Lifestyle, Not Just a Product

Join us in Toronto for an exclusive conversation on how authenticity, storytelling, and cultural identity shape consumer buying decisions, drive brand loyalty, and define the next wave of lifestyle branding.

  • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EST
  • 482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON
  • $25
Jeremy Watt

Jeremy Watt

Co-Founder

Discussion Topics:

  • The Art of Understated Branding
  • Owning the Narrative: Why ‘Made in Canada’ Matters
  • Building a Brand That Feels Like Home
Jan 27
Creators of Toronto Building a Lifestyle, Not Just a Product

Join us in Toronto for an exclusive conversation on how authenticity, storytelling, and cultural identity shape consumer buying decisions, drive brand loyalty, and define the next wave of lifestyle branding.

  • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EST
  • 482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON
  • $25
Jeremy Watt

Jeremy Watt

Co-Founder

Discussion Topics:

  • The Art of Understated Branding
  • Owning the Narrative: Why ‘Made in Canada’ Matters
  • Building a Brand That Feels Like Home
View Event
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