EMILY huizenga
(née smith), M. Des, BFA (Hons)
Emily Huizenga (née Smith) has spent her career developing immersive, youth (18-24 years) oriented programming that promotes real-world engagement through hands-on making, community engagement and co-creation. She has created and managed multi-stakeholder projects and has over 15 years experience building and managing teams in creative arts, non-profit, and academic leadership positions.
She has played a pivotal role in establishing Vancouver’s Maker community through Vancouver Mini Maker Faire, and has developed a legacy of fibre and textile-related programming through Fibreshed, a field school created in partnership with Emily Carr University and Simon Fraser University. More recently, she co-created and managed the first 3 years of a Bachelors of Fashion Design program at LaSalle College Vancouver.
Emily thrives in strategic planning positions and excels when connecting diverse communities through common goals.