BAS, M.Arch, OAA

Maxine Blais is a Sudbury‑based architect and proud francophone whose practice and leadership center on advocacy, mentorship, and building cultures of equity, inclusion, and belonging in architecture. As Chairperson of Building Equality in Architecture North, she draws on her lived experience to amplify women and other underrepresented practitioners across Northern Ontario and to open pathways into leadership. Currently an Architect with J.L. Richards & Associates in Sudbury, she manages and leads multidisciplinary teams to realize her client’s visions with special expertise in educational, institutional, industrial, and commercial projects.

BAS, M.Arch, LEED

Raechel Hamilton is an Intern Architect at Bélanger Salach Architecture and a LEED Green Associate with a strong interest in sustainability and equity within the built environment. Through her involvement with BEA North, she looks forward to supporting mentorship, advocacy, and collaboration, and to working alongside fellow members to help empower and uplift women and underrepresented voices in architecture.

B.A.S., M.Arch, OAA, MRAIC

Anastasia Renaud is the Treasurer of BEA North and the founder of poliarchitecture, a Northern Ontario practice focused on context-driven, high-performance design. As a registered architect, Anastasia teaches and mentors emerging designers at the McEwen School of Architecture. Her work reflects a commitment to resilient Northern design and practical, real-world approaches informed by her experience as a woman practicing architecture in the region. Anastasia contributes to the advancement of architecture in Northern Ontario through her involvement in professional education, community engagement, and support for the region’s growing network of architects and builders. Her practice and teaching emphasize accessible knowledge sharing, common sense business insight, and collaborative design processes shaped by the cultural landscape of the North.

BScN, BAS, M.Arch, MRAIC, RN

Grace Wilson is a Co-Founder and Executive Member of BEA North. She is a Registered Intern Architect currently practicing at Bélanger Salach Architecture in Sudbury. With a background in clinical and public health nursing, Grace brings an interdisciplinary perspective to her work, advocating for equitable, accessible, and healing-centred built environments. Grace’s academic research explored the role of midwifery-led birth spaces and the built environment in supporting dignified, community-centred care in Northern Ontario. Grace is deeply committed to mentorship, community building, and amplifying diverse voices within the architectural profession.

BAS, M.Arch

Maria is an Event Coordinator at BEA North, where she plays an active role in advancing the organization’s mission of empowering women through community-focused initiatives. She holds a M.Arch degree from the McEwen School of Architecture (2022) where she successfully defended her thesis centered on gender, poverty, and trauma-informed design solutions in Northern Ontario. Her academic work reflects a deep commitment to addressing systemic inequities and creating inclusive, supportive environments for women and underserved communities. Her background and professional experience allow her to meaningfully connect with diverse communities and advocate for socially sustainable solutions that uplift women’s voices and experiences.

Alongside her work with BEA(N), Maria is a registered Intern Architect (OAA) and a member of the 3rdline.Studio team. She is passionate about community-driven initiatives in Northern Ontario and is dedicated to creating spaces, events, and programs that foster empowerment, resilience, and long-term social impact.

Erica Gomirato is an Intern Architect at Perry+Perry Architects and is an Executive Member of BEA North. Born and raised in Sudbury, she has a strong connection and understanding of Northern Ontario and aims to advocate for sustainable building practices in the North through her work. She has a passion for sustainability and equity and is honoured to be part of a group actively working to empower women’s voices and encourage collaboration in the field.