Nancy Jain Sustainability Awards to support future design leaders

Nancy Jain, a dedicated advocate for the arts and sustainability, is making a lasting impact on the next generation of designers by establishing the Nancy Jain Sustainability Awards for Environmental Design and Industrial Design. These endowed awards will provide ongoing recognition and support to OCAD University’s Faculty of Design students whose work is inspired by environmental practices and integrates sustainable practices.

Nancy joined OCAD U as an adjunct professor in 2019 and taught within the Faculty of Design until 2021. Passionate about the future of design, she believes in its power to drive meaningful change. “Sustainability in design isn’t just about minimizing harm—it casts a powerful arc of progress over society. Its greater role is what I call ‘purpose by design,’” says Nancy. “Design is at the core of innovation, and indispensable today as artificial intelligence (AI) and human intelligence collide.” 

Nancy’s commitment to sustainability is rooted in her international perspective and professional experiences. Her career has spanned multiple continents, blending business acumen with a passion for cultural engagement. In Canada, Nancy co-founded real estate development firm G&N Developments Inc. which specializes in retrofitting and repurposing buildings to create dynamic, innovative and sustainable spaces for local creative entrepreneurs.

Nancy emphasizes that innovation drives rapid change in our society, compelling us to rethink how we create, produce and interact with our new world. “OCAD U students are well poised to take on this challenge and deliver the next generation of purpose-driven design excellence not only at home in Canada, but in the broader international community,” says Nancy. “Through these awards, I hope to support students who embrace sustainability as a fundamental part of their design practice and to inspire innovative solutions that elevate society and set the tone for future generations.”

Each year, the Nancy Jain Sustainability Awards will honour two outstanding fourth-year students, one from OCAD U’s Environmental Design program and one from the Industrial Design program, who demonstrate a commitment to sustainability through their academic work. Recipients will be selected through a juried competition at the end of each academic year.

Dr. Lesley-Ann Noel, Dean of the Faculty of Design, highlights the significance of Nancy’s support. “Nancy’s generosity ensures that sustainability remains at the forefront of design education at OCAD U and we are incredibly grateful for her support,” she shared. “These awards not only celebrate student achievement but also reinforce the importance of environmentally responsible design in shaping our collective future.”