Successful OCAD U grads giving back to students and alums

Photo above (from left to right): Ahmad El Sarraff, founder of A77 Inc., arts/cultural sector expert Sagan MacIsaac and Tiah Khuu, a partner and creative director at Fook Communications.

With the new academic year in full swing, the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) has resumed its Creative Professionals-in-Residence initiative with OCAD U alums providing professional and career development support to students and recent grads.

The program kicks off with a talk on October 24 featuring this term’s resident, designer Tiah Khuu, who is a partner and creative director at Fook Communications. Participants will learn about his design practice and ways in which he can offer feedback and career development support.

Launched in 2018, the Creative Professionals-in-Residence initiative invites professionals from a variety of art- and design-related disciplines to talk with students and recent grads on a regularly scheduled basis over the course of an academic term.  

“This kind of initiative offers the community a unique opportunity to benefit from new perspectives that can enhance employability and creative entrepreneurship,” says RBC CEAD Director Zev Farber. “It’s inspiring to see how these talented OCAD U grads are committed to giving back and mentoring students on their career journeys."

This year’s residents include three OCAD U grads who will engage with students in support of their professional and career development. Alongside Khuu, the program’s resident for the first term, the initiative also features Ahmad El Sarraff, founder of A77 Inc. and arts/cultural sector expert Sagan MacIsaac.

MEET THE 2024-25 RESIDENTS

Tiah Khuu, Fall 2024

Khuu is a partner and creative director at Fook Communications, co-founded in 2016. With degrees from OCAD U and the Basel School of Design in Switzerland, Khuu has cultivated a strong expertise in branding, finance and business development. Clients range from the Government of Ontario to director and actress Karena Evans, to YouTubers Eamon and Bec. His meticulous approach to visual communication enhances brands' presence both online and in the real world, positioning Fook as a leader in the design industry.

Ahmad El Sarraff, Winter 2025

El Sarraff is a creative multidisciplinary designer and consultant who specializes in redefining and innovating the standard of industries, bringing a new lens that can enhance and improve how we live, work and play while improving quality of life. 

As the Founder & CEO of A77, a GenZ and youth-led research and innovation startup, consultancy and think tank, El Sarraff thrives in seeing the connections between areas typically overlooked. His deep connection to local community work, combined with professional and creative/inventive skills, have laid the foundation to A77’s playfully strategic and next-gen approach.

His professional background includes being an associate at an architectural, planning and development consulting firm. He graduated from OCAD U in Environmental Design. 

Sagan MacIsaac, Winter 2025

MacIsaac is a curator and cultural strategist who is known for her ability to connect, collaborate and think strategically. MacIsaac has held key roles at ART+PUBLIC UnLtd as Director, Strategy and Program and at Bespoke Collective as Cultural Strategist. 

Recent projects include an evaluation and engagement framework for Calgary Arts Development, a governance scan for the Art Gallery of Peterborough and a community engagement process for Markham's public art program. 

Committed to building a vibrant, sustainable arts ecology, MacIsaac is a member of Arts Consultants Canada and a 2025 Executive MBA for the Arts at the Global Leaders Institute for Arts Innovation.

About the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD)

Established in 2013, the RBC CEAD is committed to supporting the early-career advancement of all OCAD U students and recent graduates. The centre offers a wide range of programs and services associated with career development, experiential learning and creative entrepreneurship. 

The RBC CEAD works with key partners to provide hands-on, transformative experiences for students and alumni to accelerate their career outcomes, professional practices and entrepreneurial skills.