FOUNDERS AND LEADERS
Team members
Nastaran Beigi
Architectural designer | Urban designer
Co founder and director Innohub Academy and Big&lit awards
Nastaran E. Beigi is the Co-Founder and Director of InnoHub Academy and a passionate educator at the intersection of design and childhood development.
She holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Tehran (Science) and a Master’s degree in Urban Design from the University of British Columbia. With over a decade of professional experience, including her work with Dialog, a leading architecture firm in Vancouver, Nastaran brings her expertise and passion into education and innovation.
She has presented research and published papers at international symposiums, including the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA), where she has also delivered lectures. Her mission is to make design education accessible and meaningful for all children—empowering them to explore, imagine, and shape the world through creative problem-solving.
Sara Kalantary
PHD in Architecture
Co founder and director Innohub Academy and Big&lit awards
Sara Kalantary is the Co-Founder and Director of InnoHub Academy and holds a Ph.D. in Architecture. In 2004, she co-founded TDC Office, where she has since worked on projects ranging from residential design to large-scale urban development.
Her innovative approach has earned her numerous international awards, including the Chicago International Award for Best New Global Design, First Place at the Asia Architecture Awards (2AAA), the New York International Award (Architizer), and recognition at the World Architecture Festival (WAF). Her work has been featured in Domus Magazine, Phaidon, and Architectural Design (AD), and she holds a patent at WIPO for the award-winning Saba House.
From 2005 to 2019, Sara was a professor at Azad University and has lectured internationally at leading universities while serving as a jury member for global architectural awards.
FOUNDERS AND LEADERS
Vida Jannesar
Creative Marketing Director
Vida Jannesar a strategic marketing director with a multidisciplinary background in marketing, neuroscience, and community development. As the founder of Vink Studio, she has led brand strategy and creative campaigns for a range of purpose-driven organizations.
At Big&Lit, Vida oversees the competition’s vision, partnerships, and brand direction. She bridges creativity and strategy to connect architecture, youth innovation, and cultural collaboration,
helping shape a platform that celebrates meaningful design and emerging talent.
Her work focuses on storytelling, impactful communication, and building initiatives that inspire creativity and connection across communities.
Amir Shahrabi
Design Strategist & Innovation Consultant
Amir Shahrabi is a design strategist and innovation consultant with over 30 years of experience in building transformative ecosystems across industries. As the founder of Paraverse, Preverse, and Proverse, he has pioneered cross-disciplinary methods to fuse business, brand, and product innovation. He is the author of a proprietary -66cell problem solving matrix, integrating philosophy, design, sustainability, and technology. Amir’s work focuses on future-driven thinking, systemic change, and human centered solutions.
Marie Khouri
Amin Balaghi
Polar Bear Creative
FLEUR DE LIS
ARTIST PARTNERS
Marie Khouri
We are honored to introduce Marie Khouri as the Artist Partner for one of the Big & Lit 2026 award categories, where she will create a custom trophy that bridges architecture, art, and cultural expression.
We are honored to introduce Marie Khouri as the Artist Partner for one of the Big & Lit 2026 award categories, where she will create a custom trophy that bridges architecture, art, and cultural expression.
Born in Egypt and raised in Lebanon, Vancouver-based sculptor Marie Khouri draws from a rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and personal influences. Her early life, shaped by the experience of the Lebanese Civil War, led her on a journey through Spain and ultimately to Paris, where she refined her artistic practice at l’École du Louvre.
Khouri’s work transcends conventional boundaries between art and design, blending modernist sensibilities with deep emotional resonance. Influenced by Henry Moore’s direct carving technique, her sculptures explore the relationship between language, form, and the human body—reflecting her intimate connection to the layered histories and identities of the Middle East.
Over the past 15 years, Khouri has exhibited extensively across Europe and North America, with more than 25 public artworks installed in Canada and internationally. Her large-scale sculptures are held in prominent private collections around the world, and her work has been presented at prestigious venues including the Vancouver Art Gallery and the UNESCO-listed Giza Pyramid site in Cairo. In 2025, her work I LOVE will be exhibited at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris.
Through this collaboration, Marie Khouri brings a powerful artistic voice to Big & Lit, transforming the trophy into a lasting sculptural object that embodies creativity, vision, and cultural dialogue.
Marie Khouri
We are honored to introduce Marie Khouri as the Artist Partner for one of the Big & Lit 2026 award categories, where she will create a custom trophy that bridges architecture, art, and cultural expression.
We are honored to introduce Marie Khouri as the Artist Partner for one of the Big & Lit 2026 award categories, where she will create a custom trophy that bridges architecture, art, and cultural expression.
Born in Egypt and raised in Lebanon, Vancouver-based sculptor Marie Khouri draws from a rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and personal influences. Her early life, shaped by the experience of the Lebanese Civil War, led her on a journey through Spain and ultimately to Paris, where she refined her artistic practice at l’École du Louvre.
Khouri’s work transcends conventional boundaries between art and design, blending modernist sensibilities with deep emotional resonance. Influenced by Henry Moore’s direct carving technique, her sculptures explore the relationship between language, form, and the human body—reflecting her intimate connection to the layered histories and identities of the Middle East.
Over the past 15 years, Khouri has exhibited extensively across Europe and North America, with more than 25 public artworks installed in Canada and internationally. Her large-scale sculptures are held in prominent private collections around the world, and her work has been presented at prestigious venues including the Vancouver Art Gallery and the UNESCO-listed Giza Pyramid site in Cairo. In 2025, her work I LOVE will be exhibited at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris.
Through this collaboration, Marie Khouri brings a powerful artistic voice to Big & Lit, transforming the trophy into a lasting sculptural object that embodies creativity, vision, and cultural dialogue.
EXECUTION PARTNERS
Polar Bear Creative
We are pleased to announce Polar Bear Creative as the Website Development and Email Marketing Partner of the Big & Lit Canadian Design Award.
We are pleased to announce Polar Bear Creative as the Website Development and Email Marketing Partner of the Big & Lit Canadian Design Award.
Polar Bear Creative specializes in crafting personalized digital strategies aligned with clear business objectives. Their work focuses on building effective, user-friendly websites and developing thoughtful email marketing systems designed to enhance visibility, engage audiences, and support meaningful communication.
As our partner, Polar Bear Creative is supporting the development of the Big & Lit website experience and our email communications helping ensure clarity, accessibility, and consistency across our digital touchpoints.
Fleur De Lis
We are proud to announce Fleur De Lis Events as the Event Partner of the Big & Lit Canadian Design Award.
We are proud to announce Fleur De Lis Events as the Event Partner of the Big & Lit Canadian Design Award.
Fleur De Lis Events is recognized for delivering exceptional customer service while creating unique and memorable experiences. Built on a foundation of creativity, enthusiasm, and professionalism, their team is known for translating vision into beautifully executed events.
With privileged access to venues and a meticulous approach to planning, Fleur De Lis Events ensures that every detail, from our concept to execution, is handled with care and precision. Their commitment to excellence allows each event to unfold seamlessly and leave a lasting impression on guests.
