Hi, I’m Nyah!
I am a new graduate in Multidisciplinary Design at the University of Ottawa, specializing in Sustainable Engineering Design and Management. Alongside my studies, I worked as a Data Analyst at Hydro One, where I supported sustainability reporting and ESG initiatives. I also contribute to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as a member of the Environmental Management Technical Committee, where I help shape international sustainability and equity standards.
I have also held leadership roles including Marketing Director for Hack the Hill, Director of University Operations for PennyDrops, Vice President of Equity with the Engineering Student Society, and Student Representative for the Faculty of Engineering Council. Across these experiences, I have championed equity, diversity, inclusion, and thoughtful leadership in governance and policy.
What sets me apart is my passion for equity, sustainability, and finance, combined with a multidisciplinary mindset that makes me adaptable and collaborative. I enjoy approaching challenges from new angles, and as I hope comes through in this video, I bring energy, positivity, and a genuine enthusiasm for connecting ideas and people.
I am glad I could share a bit about myself. Please feel free to reach out if you would like to connect further using any of the listed contact methods.
Get To Know Me
I am a diligent and results-driven worker with relevant job experiences in sustainable engineering, systems thinking and project management. As a creative thinker, my adaptability and intuitiveness are my leading strengths.
As a team member, I strive for honesty and clarity. My first job is to understand the needs of the people I am working with. I value timeliness, direct communication and consistency.
I have been fortunate to learn from my fair share of trials and errors. I have collaborated with clients on some wonderful projects, which has led to improve in my independeant work abilities and team dynamic skills. Growing from past mistakes, I have learned to be comfortable voicing my concerns and setting boundaries. I now continuously built on my ability to successfully work as an independent, as team member and as a leader.
I am proud of my accomplishments and professionalism, but I do not consider myself rigid in my work. I am flexible with my roles, where no challenge is too big or too small.
Outside of work, I am dedicated to personal projects. I have taken on many visual art projects over the years, and have included some pictures of various phases from my past at the bottom of this page. I invite you to filter through these pictures to see who I am as a creative.
Make it stand out.
It all begins with an idea. My ability to think creatively is my greatest strength, both in material design and in personal development. Translating that creativity into problem-solving led me to study Multidisciplinary Design at the University of Ottawa, specializing in Sustainable Engineering Design and Management.
Sustainable design, public policy, and data-analysis are the disciplines where my top interests and strengths intersect. Together, they allow me to connect technical problem-solving with broader social and economic impact.
Artistic Portfolio.
It all begins with an idea.
Take a look at some of my personal creative projects.
-THINGS THAT BURN- Having steadily loomed a foundation on which to wage their wars, this pencil drawing highlights the venerate force and audible impact of women at the centre of political movements in 2022. Demonstrations of burning hijabs in Iran, passports in Russia and papers in America vindicate women's coups since initial mid-19th century women's liberation movements. The burns, folds and outlines are all completed in pencil; the encompassing piece was executed using pencil on a single page over multiple sittings.
-HINGE UN-HINGED- Unnoticed until needed; the tiny fastener of my purse dramatically disabled on the floor, rendering my bag unusable and begging for scrutiny. In this simple pen and pencil piece, we can observe the tiny detailed mechanism that holds much influence over my life.
-NEW POWER- Sub-Station No. 4: Hydro Sub-Station No. 4 has been designated a heritage building by the Ottawa City Council in recognition of its architectural and historical value. Representing a unique mix of architectural influence, the melange of Art Deco style and Industrial Architecture reflects the importance of integrating hydro into neighbourhoods and the expansion of the electrical network in the early to the mid-20th century. Front-Yard Businesses: In addition to Missing Middle housing to break up existing monocultural single-family neighbourhoods, the integration of Front-Yard businesses is a beautiful way to re-invite a sense of neighbourhood to dense housing developments. Hydro Sub-Station No. 4 has remained one of my favorite buildings since my move to Ottawa. In my perfect world, I would repurpose Sub-Station No. 4 into a home and coffee shop, the residence being the main building and a coffee shop in the garage.
With the help of a steel file, hand drill, drill press, deburring tool and white spray paint, this once helium tank has been modelled and repurposed as a lamp base.
This commission painting was executed using a medium-sized canvas and acrylic paints. Challenges in this process included refining my colour-matching skills, aligning the "pixels" and trying to make a painting look like a picture.
-DUALITY- Be an ocean. Move swiftly and roar. Or move softly and lap upon the shore. -Leigh Fisher Inspired by Leigh Fisher's poem "Duality", the ocean's ambivalent behaviour is highlighted by soft shadows, blue background (water) and stiff white peaks (sea foaming on the shore). Sharp at first sight, these abstract shadows move slowly like waves throughout the day isolating the juxtaposition of sharp and smooth. This effect is created using small cuts on paper and blue tape.
“To be a successful farmer one must first know the nature of the soil.”
-Xenophon
"I'm afraid we won't be able to keep you on as a staff member.... We've observed that you require a lot of direction...notwithstanding the fact you've been here long enough to know better....We need all staff to be capable of directing themselves."
I guess I never mastered scooping ice cream.
Tammy was a jarring boss and, by the astonishing number of people she had already let go, I knew my time was coming. Two weeks before my raise was a little hard to swallow, but again, not unlike Tammy.
Sitting at the desk of my current job, I couldn't help but remember these words. Was I really that bad? I wasn't taking Tammy's words to heart, but I was certainly taking them to head.
Ping. Email.
"Hi team... excited to be hosting... head-office ....make sure to welcome everyone...Thanks"
I was only a few months into my new position following my untimely discharge, but this job was everything I could have asked for. What was titled Resident Assistant, felt more like Social Outreach and Engagement Manager. I was the only person in my department, consequently I was independently responsible for creating my work and setting my standards. My position was new and engaging, so much so I was gladly putting in extra hours purely out of passion.
"Hi, I'm looking for the conference room"
I was working the front desk helping everyone coming in from head office to check-in for their yearly seminar. The lady in front of me was the first to arrive. I let her know where to go and struck up a conversation. She was excited to be in Ottawa; they change location every year.
"Oh! You're Nyah!"
Her face lights up.
"That's amazing! Everyone at our office loves you. We've all been following everything you do on Instagram. We can’t get enough of the events you come up with, it's wild. It's really so exciting to finally meet you after stocking your marketing work on Instagram. Amazing work, really amazing"
Surprising. Uncalled. Unprovoked.
Reassuring. Deserved. Inspiring.
For the rest of the day, I was flooded with compliments. I knew my work here was appreciated, but being recognized felt different. What changed. Six months ago I was useless? And now I'm celebrated?
To me, what had changed was obvious. The soil was different. Scooping ice cream, there was no room for me to use my strengths. There was no room for innovation, creativity or pursuit. In my new environment, I’m able to infuse my passions into my work. I am encouraged to try new things, pick out problems and solve them.
I'm grateful to have figured this out now. I reflect more in every aspect of life how I can use my strengths to encourage success and find satisfaction. I am determined to continue to work alongside my strengths and see what I can do when I’m encouraged to explore.
