About Us
NEOcan’t was born in 2021 as a direct response to reduced travel to Chicago for NeoCon after the pandemic. Designed for Edmonton’s Interior Design and Architecture community, this event brings the latest product launches and industry trends straight to you. It’s an incredible opportunity to connect, network, and experience the newest innovations in design, all in one place.
This year, we’re thrilled to bring back the Design Challenge: a creative, team-building experience that lets design firms break free from codes, budgets, and client restrictions. It’s all about pure artistic expression and the joy of making!
We can’t wait to welcome you to this year’s NEOcan’t event! Register now and be part of the excitement. See you there!
The Best of NeoCon (and more!)—Right Here in Edmonton
Meet the NEOcant Planning Committee
Celeste Thiesen
Shaw Contract
Celeste Thiesen, the visionary founder of NEOcan’t, is known for her driven spirit, optimism, and deep commitment to community. Her generous nature and grounded creativity bring positivity and light to every room she enters and have made her a beloved figure in the Interior Design industry. With her perpetual smile and infectious enthusiasm, Celeste naturally inspires those around her. Organized, energetic, and endlessly motivating, she is the fearless leader of our team, continually encouraging us to reach new heights.
Celine Therriault
Armstrong Ceilings
She’s your favorite Commercial Ceiling representative, but to us, she’s a captain that steers the ship, a lighthouse in the storm and the computative brain that keeps us all organized and sane. Get this girl some shades and a drum to bang as she’s the energizer bunny (hopefully that’s not a copyright infringement). Thank you for all your endless hours and mindfulness Céline, we appreciate all that you are and all that you do!!
Amanda Hippola
Steelcase
That sparkle in her eye is the essence of her magic escaping its mortal confines. Amanda graces us with that magic in creative ideas and execution. She is a class act who propels collaboration with kindness. We all know it costs nothing to be kind, but our team is all the richer for it. Thank you for being a calm Yin to what can be a chaotic Yang in committee life. We adore you for the balance and brilliance you bring to the team!
Sharifi Houssian
RGO
Sharifi glides through the world with effortless kindness and a wardrobe so impeccable it deserves its own security detail. Powered by quiet brilliance and Olympic-level hype skills, she can lift a team’s spirits faster than Flo-Jo can run the 100 meter. With her signature blend of humour and heart, she delivers punchlines, pep talks, and project magic, sometimes all before lunch. Here’s to 2026, when our collaborations turn into our very own ‘Project Runway,’ and Sharifi continues serving looks, laughter, and legendary energy.
Courtney LeBaron
Courtney LeBaron Studio
Have you ever wondered what sunshine would be like in human form? Courtney is the embodiment of physical sunshine and positivity. The proof: not letting the development of our website drag her into a dark cyber abyss. Jubilance persevered. Being a true creative, Courtney’s perspective and ideas amplify our output. Thank you for your fresh outlook, optimism and resolve. You shine bright so we all can shine!
Deborah Gunning
Gunning Co.
In the words of LL Cool J: “Don’t call it a comeback, she’s been here for years!!” The NEOcan’t Committee is so excited to have Deborah officially back in the fray. Armed with a zest for originality and innovation, she’s a positivity powerhouse who sprinkles creativity on every problem. Get yourself a committee member like Deborah: someone who lifts the room just by being in it, and then lifts it again with a great idea. She’s the “the woman of the hour, tower of power, she’ll devour” any obstacle in her way. We can’t wait to kickstart 2026 with you!!