Committee member bios

Rory MacDonald is an associate professor of craft in ceramics at NSCAD University. MacDonald is interested in the many roles for ceramics within the practice of craft, design and art, concentrating on the development of new public audiences and spaces for contemporary ceramics. Central to his research is the exploration of the concept of public craft and the role materials play in how we shape the built environment. He is interested in the intersection of digital technologies, materials and labour, seeking new forms to connect digital space and ‘the real’.

He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from The New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree NSCAD University and a Diploma with Honours in ceramics and printmaking from OCAD University.

Amin Meshkat joined NSCAD University in 2021 as the System Administrator in the Computer Services department. He works with network switches, computer servers, and other IT devices at the university. Amin holds a Master of Engineering in Internetworking from Dalhousie University and a Master of Computer Science degree from Osmania University. He ranked third in the Android Application Programming competition among more than 6,000 participants by Tehran municipality in 2015. Amin is also ranked first among MSc computer science students in 2013 at Osmania University.

Andy Murdoch recently joined NSCAD as Director, Strategic Communications bringing extensive university communications and marketing experience with a particular expertise in design, and visual and performing arts. He was previously at Concordia University in Montréal, where he managed communications in the Faculty of Fine Arts, leading Concordia’s visual rebranding, revamping its website, aligning communications and marketing strategies with fine arts recruitment goals, and championing the research and creative successes of faculty, students and staff. He also worked as a digital content producer at Dalhousie University, an editor and writer at The Coast, and a contributor to the Toronto Star, CBC and The Guardian in the United Kingdom.

Isabelle Nault is a bilingual (French-English) architect with more than 15 years of diverse experience in project management, architectural design, and construction management that includes public sector and heritage buildings. As NSCAD’s first Associate Vice-President, Operations, she is leading the design of a robust infrastructure plan for the university’s future, providing strategic oversight over NSCAD’s major capital construction projects, infrastructure operations and administrative portfolios to ensure efficient operations in facilities management, human resources and information technology.

Isabelle previously served as manager of architecture and design at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario where she led revitalization work on late-19th century buildings and construction of major new capital projects. She holds a graduate diploma in architecture from Athabasca University, as well as an undergraduate degree in architecture from the Université de Montréal. She is also a certified Project Management Professional and is certified in workplace mental health leadership.

Isabelle volunteers on the board of the Halifax City Soccer Club.

Anthony Novac is a serial entrepreneur focused on gaming and technology opportunities. He is the co-founder of Trident Gaming PLC, which was sold to Party Gaming PLC in 2006. He’s also the founder and former CEO of Spreed Inc., which developed an end-to-end mobile publishing platform and launched over 500 newspaper apps. He is currently the president of Sonco Gaming Inc. and a member of NSCAD’s Board of Governors. Founded in 1995, Sonco Gaming is a company engaged in the ownership, operation and development of gaming properties. It has and continues to be active in joint ventures with major multi-national gaming/entertainment companies, Aboriginal groups and First Nations, and other interested parties.

Anthony is an art collector with interests in Canadian mid-century artists and emerging global contemporary art. He recently completed three terms on the Board of the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery in Toronto. While raised and educated in Halifax, he currently resides in Toronto with his wife and three children.