Don Waltho, WFC
Don’s unwavering commitment to the floral design industry in Canada is evident through his multifaceted roles as the founder and director of the Canadian Institute of Floral Design (CIFD).
A member of The World Flower Council, he is a natural educator, and floral designer. His journey, deeply rooted in a family legacy with his father, floral master Bill Waltho, has shaped Don into a second-generation florist with a rich heritage in the craft. His father Bill owned Avenue Flower Shop located in Yorkville, an upscale neighbourhood in Toronto and held the title of Teleflora's Florist of the Year in 1981. He later ran three successful flower shops in Sydney, Australia.
Don studied floral design with Bob Ross and attended the design schools of FTD, United Flowers-by-Wire Canada and Flowers Canada. His formal education in floral design, combined with his experience in both the retail and wholesale sectors, has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the industry. This expertise led him to his first teaching role in a professional floral design college in Toronto, paving the way for his future endeavors.
In 1988, Don established CIFD, a distinguished Career College that stands alone in its dedication to professional floral design education in Canada. With the approval of the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, Canadian Institute of Floral Design has become a beacon of excellence, having trained over 5,000 professional florists to date.
Don’s reputation extends beyond local recognition; he is a respected figure internationally, serving as a Canadian ambassador to the global floral design community. His consultancy work with the ultra-luxury 7-star hotel industry in the United Arab Emirates and his role as a keynote speaker at prestigious conferences in Dubai highlight his influence and reach.
His recent engagements, include appearances on CBC Marketplace, judging at the Fleurs de Villes mannequin series show in Toronto, and consultations for major companies like Loblaw Companies Ltd., Bloomstar, and Elite Flowers underscore his ongoing contributions to the industry.
Don’s story is not just one of personal success but also of his significant impact on the professional floral design landscape, both in Canada and internationally.
Melissa cristina, B.design
Melissa’s journey is a testament to her dedication and passion for floral design. She joined the Canadian Institute of Floral Design (CIFD) faculty in 2016. As a CIFD alumna, she has not only honed her craft but also contributed significantly to the industry through her role as a Program Coordinator and lead instructor. Her specialization in bridal design and her role in facilitating advanced workshops reflect her commitment to staying at the forefront of design trends and techniques.
Following her graduation at CIFD in 2010, she gained practical experience from working in flower shops and managing high-end studios. This undoubtedly shaped her expertise, particularly in wedding design. Melissa’s work has garnered attention and acclaim, with features in prestigious wedding shows, magazines, and television, highlighting her influence and reputation in the field.
Melissa’s floral artistry has acquired widespread recognition within the industry. Her creations have graced the pages of renowned publications like Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine and WedLuxe Magazine, and have been showcased in prominent events such as WedLuxe bridal show & The Wedding Co. Show. The visibility of her work extends to digital platforms on EventSource.ca, as well as features on popular television segments like Cityline. Her influence and expertise are further acknowledged through contributions to various event and wedding blogs.
Her designs, which have adorned the interiors of high-end hotels and restaurants, add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the bustling downtown atmosphere. Beyond her design work, Melissa plays an influential role in the floral community as a judge for the esteemed Fleurs De Villes mannequin series show in Toronto, representing the Canadian Institute of Floral Design and its commitment to excellence in the field.
Her involvement in judging events and providing formal training to notable companies like Loblaw Companies Ltd, Bloomstar and Elite Flower further showcases her breadth of knowledge and her standing as a respected professional in floral design. Graduating from Ryerson University in Fashion Communications with a Bachelor of Design, her educational background complements her creative abilities, merging the worlds of design and fashion into her floral artistry. Her story is inspiring for ambitious floral designers, and underscores the value of comprehensive education and real-world experience in this vibrant industry.
Melissa’s achievements are a testament to her skill, creativity, and dedication to the craft of floral design, making her a valued member and leader at CIFD. Her work not only enhances the beauty of spaces and events but also inspires the next generation of floral designers.
Brad Higginson, Bcomm
Brad has been rooted in the floral industry ever since he began working with his father at Alma Florists, established in 1952 in Toronto. He grew into the business and has since been the proud, third-generation owner/operator of Alma Florists for over 20 years. Brad graduated from the Floral Design program at Seneca College and also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce and Economics from the University of Toronto.
CIFD welcomes Brad’s wealth of natural talent and dedication to lifelong learning and educating floral design. He is an active member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Academy of Floral Art (CAFA) and created team floral creations at the Canadian Juno Awards and at the World Flower Summit in Nice.
Returning to Seneca College as a former graduate, Brad became an instructor and has since shared his flair for and extensive knowledge of the floral industry with many privileged students. Brad enjoys demonstrating his innovative design style to those who are eager to learn about this exciting industry, and takes a professional and relaxed approach in communicating his passion for all that is flowers.
Brad has been featured in numerous professional floral design shows and publications, including Canada Blooms and Canadian Florist. He and his team of talented designers at Alma Florists have been featured on a number of occasions by City TV, CTV News, Global Television and the Toronto Star.
Tamae Miyazaki
Tamae is a graduate from the Canadian Institute of Floral Design, specializing in Ikebana, or Japanese floral art. She has extensive experience as retail florist and a floral design freelancer. She is excited to teach students how to create their own balanced life through florals based on traditional Zen philosophy.
Tamae was raised in Kyoto, Japan, where she developed an appreciation of the natural beauty of her homeland. She has a love for all art and design – including music, painting, sculpture, pottery, landscape, architecture, photography and modeling.
Tamae graduated from the Kyoto College of Art and Design. She worked for the Kawasaki Architect Structure Institute in Osaka and then worked in Tokyo as a director of her own photography studio.
In 2001, Tamae moved to Canada, first living in Montreal where she became an active member of the Japanese Cultural Association and taught Ikebana. She was involved in teaching design classes focusing on origami and kimono practices. She also demonstrated Ikebana at the Montreal Botanical Gardens, Ikebana International and many other art exhibitions.
Rada Ristich
Rada brings her prestigious design expertise as a Floral Master, and faculty member. Rada has been a part of the floral industry in Toronto for more than 30 years – most notably as the proprietor of Peter Paul's Flowers in Toronto for 25 years.
Rada earned her credentials from a Registered Professional Floriculture Program in 1980. Throughout her career she won numerous awards for her floral creations and dedication to the industry. Her designs have been featured in various design shows across Canada. Rada has had the honour of representing Canada at the 2008 World Flower Council Summit in Nice, France. She also designed florals for the King of Malaysia, exhibiting at Kuala Lampur's largest Flower Show over two years.
Rada enjoys her membership in the Canadian Academy of Floral Art (CAFA). For several years she sat on the Board of Directors as Director of Special Events. She has had the pleasure of creating florals for Toronto Fashion Week, the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa, The JUNO Awards, The Love of the Bloom and Floral Ball Gown Gala in Ottawa. For this work she received the Presidents Award for her dedication and commitment to the cause. Rada has also created designs for many TV celebrities, musicians, actors and even royalty.
According to Rada, “Flowers are all I know, Flowers are what I do!”
EMILY SHABSOVE, bcomm
Emily's passion for the floral industry shines through her extensive expertise in both florals and business management. A graduate of the Canadian Institute of Floral Design, she also holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Guelph. Emily is dedicated to the floral industry and currently manages one of the few European-style flower shops in Toronto.
She began her career in the floral sector by managing social media for various flower shops and greenhouses in Guelph, Ontario. As her passion for flowers and botany deepened, she trained with a Dutch master at Bloom Room Floral Company, enhancing her skills and building her portfolio. Emily later expanded her work to include larger installations, showcasing her designs at La Petite Chapelle.
As a young floral professional with a business background, Emily was recruited by Fresh Market Farms. There, she assisted with their flower farm while also managing two of their four pop-up storefronts. Drawing on her experience in the floral supply chain, she became a Bilingual Sales Representative for Hofland and served as a Teaching Assistant at CIFD.
Today, Emily is one of the proud owners of the Kingston Road Flower Market, where she manages a talented team of florists, all graduates of the CIFD program. She aims to redefine the industry by combining her marketing management expertise with creativity, enabling other florists to adapt to the evolving technological market.
Cole Walker, BComm
Cole is an experienced business manager turned florist, now using his foundations and skills to carve out a place in Toronto’s competitive floral scene.
After completing his Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Guelph, Cole took on a series of supervisory and management positions with The Neighbourhood Group. It was there that he developed strong leadership skills and professional confidence to manage large groups and gained an appreciation for the importance of providing cutting-edge customer experiences in any industry.
Following his re-location to Toronto, Cole apprenticed at one of Toronto’s oldest flower shops, learning under 2 owners with 75 years of combined expert floral experience. Cole applied his aptitude for customer relations to the busy high-traffic shop environment and chose to expand his floral knowledge by attending the Canadian Institute of Floral Design (CIFD) to round out his floral education. CIFD propelled Cole to new heights in floristry, giving him the required skills to work on large scale events, weddings, and custom installations. He began as a teaching assistant with the CIFD following his graduation, and after working in the industry and establishing his career he has returned to the school as an instructor.
Today, Cole is also one of the proud co-owners of the Kingston Road Flower Market, where he manages client relationships, logistics, and helps oversee a dynamic team of florists and support staff.
Sarah Wu
(January 28, 1975 - November 22,2021)
Obituary Overview
In Loving Memory Of Sarah Wu:
https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/highland-scarborough/obituaries/sarah-wu/74919
Sarah is a designer who draws equal inspiration from the curve of a tulip stem and the shape of a letterform. She runs Petite Studio, a design workshop that specializes in the crafts of floristry and design. She designs florals for weddings, events and corporate functions. She also works on commercial floral styling projects for companies and advertising agencies. Sarah is certified as a professional floral designer and instructor by the Canadian Institute of Floral Design.
Sarah is a designer who savours the creative process. A true professional designer, she enjoys sharing her perspectives and experiences with students. Sarah takes on a mix of commissions for a wide variety of clients – always balancing the notions of artistry and practicality.
Sarah has worked on floral styling projects for clients including Chanel Canada, Chevrolet Canada, Google Canada, The Globe and Mail, enRoute magazine, Holt Renfrew, Maison Birks, Shiseido, Shoppers Drug Mart, Tetley Canada and Town Shoes. Her florals have been featured by Best Health, Canadian Living, Covet Garden, Elevate, Today’s Bride, Weddingbells, The Wedding Co., WedLuxe and 1968 Magazine.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Design degree from York University and Sheridan College, and an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from Queen's University.
