Building Vibrant, Inclusive Communities
| | | | The Impact of Investing in Local Places Thursday, May 22 | 12 p.m. ET | Live Zoom Webinar | | | | | | Join us for a special CityTalk highlighting the impact and successes of the My Main Street program. This session will feature recipients from each of the program’s key funding streams—Business Sustainability and Community Activator—to share how strategic investment in main streets can fuel local economic growth and enhance quality of life. Delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute and supported by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), My Main Street champions vibrant, inclusive, and community-focused neighbourhoods. Through direct-to-business funding and placemaking initiatives, the program has empowered communities across southern Ontario to reimagine their main streets as hubs of economic resilience and cultural vitality. Hear firsthand how small businesses and community organizations have leveraged this support to enrich public spaces, boost foot traffic, and deliver lasting social and economic benefits. We’ll also broaden the conversation to discuss how thoughtful design and smaller scale approaches to retail development can foster local ownership and vibrant neighbourhood economies. Whether you’re a community builder, policymaker, or simply passionate about the future of local economies, this conversation will offer inspiring insights into the transformative power of place-based investment.
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| | Executive Director | Vanier BIA/ZAC Nathalie Carrier’s deep Vanier and franco-ontarienne roots brought her back to a vibrant, forward-thinking community where people from all walks of life coexist. Since joining the Vanier BIA in 2017, she has helped lead a period of dynamic growth, with the organization and community earning four placemaking awards—including one from the International Downtown Association. Nathalie brings a bold, “dream-big” mentality shaped by her experience as Manager of Event Production for Ottawa 2017, where she helped bring major spectacles like La Machine, Red Bull Crashed Ice, Picnic on the Bridge, and Kontinuum to the capital. A former TV producer and talent agent, she’s no stranger to hard work or exceeding expectations, having worked closely with some of Canada’s most influential figures and building a unique network of collaborators along the way. For Nathalie, leading the BIA is about more than “banners and benches”—it’s about inclusivity, community building, and championing Vanier by celebrating its vibrant history, culture, and beauty. |
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| | Owner and Founder | sariKNOTsari Priya Mohan is the founder of sariKNOTsari, a slow fashion movement dedicated to upcycled, size-inclusive, pure silk clothing that honours the past while dressing for the future. With a background in education and a passion for sustainability, Priya created the brand to help people feel beautiful, comfortable, and confident at every stage of life. Her designs are rooted in timelessness, encouraging customers to build a wardrobe they’ll never outgrow—literally or stylistically. Each piece is handcrafted from vintage saris, giving heirloom fabrics new life and keeping them out of landfills. For Priya, sariKNOTsari is as much about community as it is about clothing—creating space for self-expression, self-acceptance, and conscious consumerism. Whether hosting live styling events or offering one-on-one consultations, she empowers people to embrace fashion as a joyful, intentional act. sariKNOTsari is more than a brand—it’s Priya’s vision for a better world, stitched one sari at a time. |
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| | Vice President | Archive Design Studio Dorian Moore, FAIA, has led and contributed to a wide range of large-scale urban design and architecture projects throughout his career. Most recently, he served as Project Urban Design Manager for the 180-acre Michigan State Fairgrounds mixed-use redevelopment. He was part of a select group of architects and planners invited to Mississippi to participate in a post-Hurricane Katrina charrette planning team for 11 Gulf Coast cities. Dorian was also a member of an international team tasked with developing a vision for Toronto’s underutilized Port Lands, and he served as Core Support Staff for the Detroit Mayor’s Land Use Master Plan Task Force, which developed a long-term framework for the city’s evolution. In addition to his professional practice, Dorian is also a partner in a number of small retail businesses in Michigan. Dorian is a Fellow in Urban Design at the Canadian Urban Institute and has taught architecture and urban design at several institutions, including the University of Windsor, University of Detroit Mercy, Lawrence Technological University, and Wayne State University. |
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| | Owner and Founder | Timber + Plumb Markie Tuckett is a proud Métis entrepreneur, designer, and owner of Timber + Plumb Inc., a thriving design and custom cabinetry firm in Windsor, Ontario. Celebrated for her impact on business and community, she has earned numerous accolades, including a Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee pin and a finalist spot for the Ontario Colleges Premier’s Awards in Creative Arts & Design. She has also been honored by KBB Magazine, the NKBA, and the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce. Starting her business at 25, Markie grew Timber + Plumb into a six-figure enterprise within three years. Passionate about giving back, she mentors college students and small business owners on the challenges of entrepreneurship. She also founded a pandemic-era small business grant program and runs networking events for women in business and leadership. Markie’s journey is one of resilience, leadership, and deep community commitment. |
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| Can't make it? Watch the recording! | | For anyone unable to attend live, be sure to watch the recording on our CityTalk website! Recordings are posted within a week of the event. | | | |
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| | | Copyright © 2024 Canadian Urban Institute |
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