Raad Seraj

Biography

Having grown up in Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and now calling Canada home, Raad works to trace the common thread that runs through technology, society, spirituality, and the visceral human experience. He founded and plays guitar in NOVAYA, a psychedelic rock band that weaves Western, Middle Eastern, and South Asian sounds.

A scientist, artist, and convener, Raad is the cofounder of Anda Residency, an artist residency occupying soon-to-be destroyed homes and using immersive multi-platform storytelling to explore the hidden stories of Toronto's changing neighborhoods. He was a core organizer of a number of high-profile civic initiatives in the city like Toronto for Everyone, the 4-day Honest Eds Festival, and Camp Reset, a digital detox camp for adults. Raad is a creator of Bangladesh: Fashion in Flux, an immersive education program that takes fashion entrepreneurs from around the world to Bangladesh to understand the hidden stories of fashion manufacturing. He is currently on the board of directors at Fashion Takes Action, Canada's only voice for sustainable and ethical clothing. During the day, Raad helps start-ups scale up innovative technologies that can address emerging water issues across the world.