Item - 2024.CA12.1

Appointees' Biographies:

Koorosh Attarian

Dr. Koorosh Attarian is an Associate Professor of Architecture at the Jundi Shapur University of Technology and a Postdoctoral Fellow at York University. In 2018, He became the Vice-Chancellor of the Jundi-Shapur Research Institute at the Jundi Shapur University to plan and organize strategies for research in heritage studies and new trends in documentation, conservation, and revitalization of heritage sites. He has published numerous articles in leading journals in the heritage studies and architecture field.

Yeo-Jin (Katerina) Bong

Yeo-Jin Katerina Bong works as a research fellow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art while completing her PhD at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design at University of Toronto. As an active member of the architectural community, she served as the graduate chair, Graduate Student Advisory Committee at the Society of Architectural Historians, while volunteering as the vice chair, Architectural Conservancy Ontario NextGen committee. Katerina received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and a Masters from the University of Pennsylvania in architectural history. 

Geoff Kettel

Geoff Kettel is a community connector and advocate for “making places better”, active in land use planning, heritage preservation, active transportation, and community development.  He is Co-President of the Leaside Residents Association, Co-Chair of the Federation of North Toronto Residents‘ Associations (FoNTRA), and President of the Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods (Ontario).  He writes a monthly column on planning and heritage matters in Leaside Life magazine.

Mitchell May

Mitchell May is an Architect and Heritage Building Specialist at Giaimo Architects, in Toronto.  He works across scales, from the adaptive reuse of designated towers, to the detailed restoration of building elements. He has a broad range of experience in conservation, renewal, adaptive reuse and the integration of old and new construction. In addition to built work, Mitchell has researched, written, and presented on heritage buildings and issues.

Julia Rady

Julia Rady PhD, Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals, is a historian and cultural heritage specialist. She completed her doctoral studies at the University of Toronto and has parlayed her academic background in Canadian history to the heritage conservation field. In her work Julia has worked with public and private clients on cultural heritage evaluations, heritage impact assessments, interpretation plans, and commemoration strategies. Since 2019 Julia has served on the Toronto Preservation Board.

Wendy Wong

Dr. Wendy Siuyi Wong, a full professor at York University’s Department of Design, is dedicated to exploring the intersections of visual cultural history and ethnic identities. As a resident of Toronto, she brings academic expertise and a strong social and cultural commitment to the board. Dr. Wong champions the voices of various ethnicities within the city and seeks to preserve and celebrate the rich tapestry of heritage and identity that defines the city.

The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that:

1. City Council appoint the the following six candidates to the Toronto Preservation Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term office ending February 9, 2028, and until successors are appointed:

Koorosh Attarian

Yeo-Jin (Katerina) Bong

Geoff Kettel

Mitchell May

Julia Rady

Wendy Wong

2. City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 and Confidential Attachment 2 in its entirety to the report (January 3, 2024) from the City Clerk remain confidential as they relate to personal information about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Toronto Preservation Board.

The Civic Appointments Committee directed the City Clerk to conduct further outreach in Scarborough and to conduct additional interviews for appointment of public members to the Toronto Preservation Board and recommend candidates at a future meeting of the Civic Appointments Committee.

Candidates' biographies:

Koorosh Attarian

Dr. Koorosh Attarian is an Associate Professor of Architecture at the Jundi Shapur University of Technology and a Postdoctoral Fellow at York University. In 2018, He became the Vice-Chancellor of the Jundi-Shapur Research Institute at the Jundi Shapur University to plan and organize strategies for research in heritage studies and new trends in documentation, conservation, and revitalization of heritage sites. He has published numerous articles in leading journals in the heritage studies and architecture field.

Yeo-Jin (Katerina) Bong

Yeo-Jin Katerina Bong works as a research fellow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art while completing her PhD at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design at University of Toronto. As an active member of the architectural community, she served as the graduate chair, Graduate Student Advisory Committee at the Society of Architectural Historians, while volunteering as the vice chair, Architectural Conservancy Ontario NextGen committee. Katerina received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and a Masters from the University of Pennsylvania in architectural history. 

Geoff Kettel

Geoff Kettel is a community connector and advocate for “making places better”, active in land use planning, heritage preservation, active transportation, and community development.  He is Co-President of the Leaside Residents Association, Co-Chair of the Federation of North Toronto Residents‘ Associations (FoNTRA), and President of the Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods (Ontario).  He writes a monthly column on planning and heritage matters in Leaside Life magazine.

Mitchell May

Mitchell May is an Architect and Heritage Building Specialist at Giaimo Architects, in Toronto.  He works across scales, from the adaptive reuse of designated towers, to the detailed restoration of building elements. He has a broad range of experience in conservation, renewal, adaptive reuse and the integration of old and new construction. In addition to built work, Mitchell has researched, written, and presented on heritage buildings and issues.

Julia Rady

Julia Rady PhD, Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals, is a historian and cultural heritage specialist. She completed her doctoral studies at the University of Toronto and has parlayed her academic background in Canadian history to the heritage conservation field. In her work Julia has worked with public and private clients on cultural heritage evaluations, heritage impact assessments, interpretation plans, and commemoration strategies. Since 2019 Julia has served on the Toronto Preservation Board.

Wendy Wong

Dr. Wendy Siuyi Wong, a full professor at York University’s Department of Design, is dedicated to exploring the intersections of visual cultural history and ethnic identities. As a resident of Toronto, she brings academic expertise and a strong social and cultural commitment to the board. Dr. Wong champions the voices of various ethnicities within the city and seeks to preserve and celebrate the rich tapestry of heritage and identity that defines the city.

This report recommends the appointment of seven public members to the Toronto Preservation Board for a four-year term of office.