Dr. Talia Varley didn’t just follow a traditional path in medicine—she redefined it. Now leading corporate health strategy at Cleveland Clinic Canada, she talks about creating a groundbreaking role that helps businesses take employee health seriously. In this episode, she unpacks the "3Ms"—menstruation, maternity, and menopause—and how these often-overlooked factors impact women’s careers, workplace equity, and organizational success. From revealing the hidden costs of neglecting women’s...

In this special episode of The Brand is Female, we're diving into one of the most significant yet often overlooked aspects of women’s health—menopause and its impact on skin health. Nancy Labonté, our guest, is an expert in dermatology and beauty science. She shares her personal journey and lifelong passion for skincare, starting from a childhood fascination with makeup to a career dedicated to understanding and innovating in skin care, especially regarding aging. We also cover findings from...

Alexandra (Ally) Mamalinder, is President and the 2nd-generation leader of Organic Traditions, a Canadian superfoods brand known for its pure ingredients and unique blends. Taking over from her father, the brand’s original founder, Allie has spent the last several years guiding Organic Traditions through a transformation, launching new products, refreshing its mission, and now, preparing for its first round of capital fundraising. Organic Traditions is on the cusp of a new chapter as the...

We celebrate Small Business Month by re-airing an inspiring conversation from last spring with BDC President and CEO Isabelle Hudon, who has consistently shattered expectations and proven skeptics wrong throughout her impressive career in the corporate world. In her new role at BDC since August 2021, and as the first woman to occupy the position, Isabelle has not only held jobs that many doubted were within reach but has also excelled in them, leaving a trail of achievements from her time as...

In this episode, we explore the entrepreneurial journey of Bukola Adedeji, the visionary founder behind TheBraGirl brand, who is transforming the way women think about their undergarments. Bukola’s mission is to empower women to use their bras not just as functional items, but as tools for genuine self-expression and confidence. With a background in dressmaking and personal experience as a woman with a fuller figure, Bukola has turned a personal challenge into a thriving Calgary business. She...

Sara Happ is known as the innovator who redefined the lip care category. Her incredible brand-building story started in her kitchen, where Sara mixed sugars and oils to create her now-iconic lip scrubs. With just $6,000 in personal savings and a job at ESPN that wasn’t inspiring her as much as she had hoped, she launched her namesake brand in 2005—but the big break came when Reese Witherspoon was spotted using her products in People magazine, sparking a wave of demand that threw the brand...

Taylor Frankel, co-founder of Nudestix, has accomplished what many beauty entrepreneurs dream of. Starting her journey in her teenage years alongside her sister Ally and their mother Jenny, a seasoned chemical engineer with experience at MAC and CoverFX, Taylor helped identify a gap in the market for simple, multi-purpose cosmetics. Together, the trio launched Nudestix in 2014, a brand that quickly skyrocketed and is now featured in over 2,500 stores globally, including beauty giants like...

&Or Collective is a Montreal-based sustainable clothing brand founded by Katie Green and Kristen King, who also run the branding agency August Strategy together. The duo met a decade ago at L’Oréal. They have now merged style and eco-consciousness in their knitwear for men and women, focusing on creating “anyplace essentials” that are both versatile and environmentally responsible. With 92 million tonnes of clothing waste ending up in landfills each year, &Or is tackling the issue...

Three Ships Beauty was founded by Connie Lo and Laura Burget in 2017. What began as a kitchen experiment with just $2,000 each has grown into a thriving skincare brand known for its commitment to transparency and sustainability. Rebranded in 2020, Three Ships Beauty is now stocked in nearly 1,000 stores across North America, including Whole Foods and Hudson’s Bay. With a recent $3.5 million investment led by BDC Capital’s Thrive Venture Fund, they’re set to expand their product line and...

Many women executives wonder what it’s like to leave the corporate workplace and start your own company. The Brand is Female Host Eva Hartling went through this when launching her company after spending almost two decades in the corporate world. This is also an experience her guest in this episode is familiar with. With a marketing background that spans almost 20 years at global organizations like Western Union and KPMG; Joycelyn David took a leap of faith when she decided to take over AVC, a...

Tracy Persson, a proud Indigenous entrepreneur and breast cancer survivor, has made it her mission to support women on their breast health journey. Tracy is the founder of My Breast Day, an innovative app designed to support women pre- and post-breast cancer diagnosis. The app has gained recognition, making it to the Top 100 and Semi-Finals in the Pow Wow Pitch, an Indigenous entrepreneur competition. Tracy's work extends beyond My Breast Day; she is also the founder and previous owner of the...

In the fifth episode of our mini-series presented by GoodLife Fitness dedicated to the first season of the PWHL and what it represents for women in sports and beyond, we bring you the story of Manon Rhéaume, a trailblazer who shattered the ultimate glass ceiling in the world of hockey. In 1992, she made history as the first and only woman to play in an NHL game, stepping onto the ice as a goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Manon also became the first female to sign a professional hockey...

This week, as part of our mini-series presented by GoodLife Fitness about the inaugural season of PWHL, host Eva Hartling is in conversation with two executives from the You Can Play Project: Lead for Corporate Partnerships and Pro Female Hockey Player Mandy Cronin, and Chairman David Palumbo. You Can Play's mandate is to ensure safety and inclusion for all participants in sports, with a focus on 2SLGBTQ+ athletes, coaches, and fans. Mandy joined You Can Play last year, bringing her...

This episode, part of our mini-series dedicated to PWHL’s inaugural season presented by GoodLife Fitness, features Brianne Jenner, pro hockey player and PWHL Ottawa Captain. Brianne is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and was crowned MVP of the women’s hockey tournament at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Brianne was part of the first signings announced by the PWHL in 2023 and plays for Ottawa as part of the original six. Originally from Oakville, Ontario, Brianne played college hockey with...

In the second episode of our special PWHL mini-series presented by GoodLife Fitness, we explore the careers of two standout athletes, both Olympic Gold Medalists in women’s hockey and both professional hockey players: PWHL Ottawa Goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer and Genevieve Lacasse, Manager, Corporate Sponsorships & Sales for PWHL. In this conversation, we dive into the couple’s views on the significance of the inaugural PWHL season and what its creation means for women in sports. Join us...

In this episode, we’re shining a light on the co-founders behind Jems, a non-toxic condom company with gender-inclusive packaging and language, Whitney Geller and Yasemin Emory. Yasemin and Whitney, who by then had already been operating their own design agency, noticed a gap in the market while searching for contraception options between their pregnancies. The condom aisle lacked appeal due to its outdated packaging and language – the category was targeting straight men only, with products...

The first conversation in our special PWHL series, presented by GoodLife Fitness, is with Emma Maltais, a standout forward for PWHL Toronto and a key player for Canada's national women's ice hockey team. In her debut PWHL season, Emma Maltais tallied 19 points (that’s 4 goals and 15 assists) in 24 games, tying for the scoring lead among rookies and finishing seventh overall in league scoring. Her 15 assists led all rookies and tied for the overall league lead, showcasing her exceptional...

This episode highlights a true pioneer when it comes to science-forward skincare that transforms everyday life. JJ Walsh founded Formula Fig, inspired by her rich background in the world of fashion and experiential design. She began her career working under the British editor Isabella Blow at Tatler, eventually becoming a fashion editor herself. JJ’s creative journey included writing for British Vogue and Conde Nast Traveler, later founding her own design firm to work with some of fashion’s...

This episode spotlights a fascinating succession story, featuring Andreea Crisan, who’s become a leader in the transportation industry, a space where women tend to be under-represented to say the least. From the age of 11, Andreea worked in some capacity or another alongside her father, navigating the challenges of immigration and unemployment to ultimately see him establish Andy Transport. After her business studies, Andreea chose to eventually take over the role of CEO from her father,...

Felicia Snyder is Co-Founder of arcana - a literal sanctuary in the hospitality industry that offers guests, specifically those living in cities, a transformative space to reconnect with nature and themselves. Located in the woods just under two hours northwest of Toronto, arcana is a hidden retreat featuring mystical mirrored cabins that seamlessly blend with the environment year-round. Once guests book, they are given the precise location, granting access to this wellness hideaway. Each...

This special episode features an engaging conversation with Anick Beaulieu, the CEO of C2 Montréal, a premier annual event that draws over 5,000 participants from more than 60 countries and 30 industries. As C2 Montréal prepares for its 13th edition from May 21-23, 2024, this internationally acclaimed forum will spotlight entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity again. Over 100 global experts will convene for more than 40 conferences, labs, and coaching sessions, fostering transformative...

As we celebrate Women’s Health Week, we’re exploring the topic of sexual wellness in this episode, featuring a visionary leader, Victoria Lyons. Victoria is the founder and CEO of Slipp, a groundbreaking condom company challenging the status quo and empowering all individuals to prioritize their sexual health. Victoria's journey into the world of sexual wellness began when she noticed a glaring gap in the market. While wandering the aisles of drugstores, she couldn't help but notice the lack...

In this episode, we're diving into the world of holistic nutrition and entrepreneurship with a visionary in the field, Kate Taylor Martin. Kate is the founder and CEO of Nutbar, a Toronto-based healthy cafe redefining the concept of on-the-go nourishment. Kate's journey into the realm of holistic nutrition began during her time working in PR at a Toronto hospital. Struck by the fragility of health, she embarked on a journey to explore the healing potential of food and nutrition. This passion...

Would you let go of your career in a cushy Government position to risk it all for your true passion? And what if you had children? Well, this is exactly what Rachel Fox did when she launched Renard & Co, a sought-after interior design company based in Toronto. Rachel has been a trailblazer in the home décor industry even before launching Renard & Co. Her vision when it comes to contemporary design caught the eye of publications like House & Home, and of several prominent...