On June 9, OCAD University will award honorary doctorates to five remarkable individuals who have been leaders of change, having made a direct impact on arts and culture in Canada and worldwide.
“We are excited to honour these inspiring individuals who have left indelible marks in their respective fields, making positive change possible,” says OCAD U’s President and Vice-Chancellor Ana Serrano.
2023 Honorary Doctorate Recipients
Kat Holmes has influenced some of the biggest names in tech, including Microsoft, Google, and Salesforce, where she is currently Executive Vice-President and Chief Design Officer. Holmes has been recognized internationally as a leader in inclusive design. Her award-winning Inclusive Toolkit was inducted into the Smithsonian Institution’s Cooper Hewitt Design Museum.
Robert Houle is one of the most influential First Nations artists in the contemporary art world. During his 50-year career, Houle — an Anishinaabe Saulteaux contemporary artist, curator, educator, writer, and critic — has played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between contemporary Indigenous art and the Canadian art scene.
Philip B. Lind is known as the “Right Hand Man” who guided the success of Ted Rogers, hence, the title of his memoir, co-written with Robert Brehl. As one of the founders of Rogers Communications, Lind was instrumental in helping build Rogers into a multi-billion-dollar empire in less than four decades.
Nancy McCain has played a transformative role in supporting Canadian arts and culture. A passionate community builder, she helps guide efforts to connect philanthropy with Toronto’s most pressing needs as Chair of the Toronto Foundation. She has made significant contributions to arts and culture institutions, including the National Arts Centre, National Gallery of Canada Foundation, Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, Arts Access Fund, Sobey Art Foundation, and Soulpepper Theatre Company.
Rosemary Sadlier has been at the forefront of countless initiatives aimed at educating the public on Black Canadian history. She is one of the original driving forces in securing the commemoration of February as Black History Month, as well as Emancipation Day, at all levels of government in Canada. An accomplished author, she has written seven books on significant contributions made by Blacks in Canada.
OCAD University is a world-famous hub for art and design education, research, innovation, and creativity. The university, located in Toronto, Canada, embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum, and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national, and global leader in art and design.
To learn more, visit ocadu.ca.