About Us

We are a dedicated team of builders, educators, and practitioners united by a shared belief: that craft education can — and must — be reimagined.

We care deeply about the transmission of real skill, the dignity of working with one’s hands, and the integration of thinking and doing. PABAS is our attempt to build an institution that takes these ideas seriously — one that combines heritage craft, modern science, and practical experience into a coherent, living model of education.

Leadership

The Academy is led by Toby Shannan, a Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former technology executive best known for his leadership at Shopify. His background in building organizations and systems is matched by a long-standing commitment to craft, community, and place. Under his leadership, PABAS brings together tradespeople, scholars, and operators to create something both rooted and new: a school designed not just to teach, but to endure.