Meet Our Mentors

What You Receive

TFI Outreach, Affiliate and Resident members get 120-minutes of free, personalized, private, one-on-one consultation time. Meet with one of our professional mentors for two hours or divide your time into several different meetings. Get expert advice on your business plan, how to create cohesiveness within your line, learn the proper way to approach retail buyers and more.

Eligibility

Open to Outreach, Affiliate and Resident members only. Please note that we are unable to offer consultation time to TFI student members. Please contact us here if you wish to upgrade your membership.

How to Book

• Select the mentor with whom you would like to meet from the list below
• Select the "talk to" button below the mentor’s name and position; you will be redirected to a webpage containing an online form
• Fill out the form and read the Mentor Consultation Guidelines located at the bottom of the form
• Once you are done, select the “submit” button; we will then contact you to confirm a date and time

Meet Our Mentors

An Exclusive Experience for Members

Huma Aslam

Consultant,
Startup Fashion Business 

Talk to Huma

Huma, who offers expert advice on how to start a fashion business, how to create, produce and sell your collection globally, and how to work with contractors, both domestic and off-shore, got her start as a design assistant to acclaimed designer Vivienne Westwood.

Donna Bishop

Founder & CEO
Green Beauty Inc.

Talk to Donna

Donna has over 10 years experience in the fashion and beauty industries. Meet with her for advice on establishing and running an online business and general entrepreneurship, as well as to learn how to incorporate eco/sustainable elements into a line.

Patricia Butler

President
Butler & Associates

Talk to Patricia

With over 30 years of sales experience, Patricia can coach you on the “Art of Sales” so you can watch your sales grow! Meet with her for advice on effective sales and marketing, how to boost your market expansion and how to build long-lasting customer relationships.

Victoria Crowe

Consultant,
Retail & Digital Strategist

Talk to Victoria

Based in London, UK, Victoria is a leader in e-commerce with experience in buying and digital analytics at retailers (Harrods and Farfetch). Meet with Victoria to discuss profitable digital strategies and partnering with retailers through product data and media.

Christian Dare

Merchandising Director & Co-Founder
Stylist Box

Talk to Christian

Christian spent most of his formative years working in Canada’s major fashion centres where he worked in visual merchandising for companies such as the Gap, Club Monaco and Holt Renfrew. Christian is an expert on how to set up effective pop-up shops, windows or tradeshow displays.

Glynis Dupuis

Consultant,
Fashion Business & Contracting

Talk to Glynis

Glynis brings over 20 years of hands-on experience in designing, producing, wholesaling, retailing and buying women’s fashion and footwear. She ran her own fashion business in Toronto and lectures on the business of fashion at Toronto Metropolitan University. Meet Glynis for start-up advice.

Christine Faulhaber

CEO & Founder
Faulhaber Communications

Talk to Christine

Christine is an acclaimed public relations and digital marketing expert who can give you invaluable advice on how to grow your brand and work with PR professionals. She knows how to nurture and grow the entrepreneurial spirit into a successful brand. 

Yossi Fisher

Consultant, Strategist & Founder
Yossi Fisher Studio

Talk to Yossi

With over 20 years of fashion experience, Yossi takes a holistic approach to careers, business and marketing. Born in Toronto and based in Milan, Yossi can help you develop strategies, identify market opportunities and offer advice on your social media content.

Cynthia Florek

Fashion Stylist, Creative Director
& Trend Forecaster

Talk to Cynthia

A creative force behind several major retailers, Cynthia has worked with teams on product design, merchandising aesthetics and style direction. Meet with Cynthia to learn about trend forecasting, working with stylists and careers in fashion styling.

Sabrina Fiorellino

Lawyer, Legal Agreements
& Business Law

Talk to Sabrina

Sabrina is an associate lawyer who can offer advice in the areas of fashion law, business law, contracts and commercial agreements. She has a specific interest in the fashion industry, working with luxury brands, as well as new and emerging designers.

Ashlee Froese

Lawyer & Trademark Agent
Froese Law

Talk to Ashlee

Ashlee is a go-to for advice on intellectual property concerns, such as intellectual property law, commercial and corporate law and branding and fashion law. Meet with her to learn about the importance of trademarks and protecting your ideas and brand. 

Wanda Ho

Consultant, Business Planning
& Financial Management

Talk to Wanda

A former Chartered Accountant, Wanda is expertly qualified to review and assess your business plan and provide advice in the areas of finance and accounting. She knows what it takes to turn brands into viable businesses. Meet with her to brush up on the business side of fashion.

Jeffery Kong

Domestic & International
Design Consultant

Talk to Jeffery

Jeffery is your point person if you’d like to reach an international market. As a Canadian designer, he has extensive international work experience in all areas of women’s and men’s fashion design, including luxury, bridge, contemporary and more. Meet with him to expand your brand.

Asha Mahabir

Director
Rodair Customs Brokers

Talk to Asha

Asha can clarify the complex rules and regulations you need to know to get your samples or shipment across the border. This is a crucial step in building any brand and Asha can share the right way to do this and how to avoid getting caught up at customs.

Carmen E. Martinez

International Marketing, Licensing & Sales Professional

Talk to Carmen

Carmen is a passionate and energetic leader who excels at generating and executing out-of-the-box initiatives locally and globally. Meet with her to gain advice on sales and marketing, such as how to forge strategic partnerships to maximize your exposure and reach.

Gail McInnes

Founder
Magnet Creative Management
Public Relations
Venturepark

Talk to Gail

Gail has been involved in the fashion industry for over 25 years as a publicist and brand manager. She brings her entrepreneurial expertise and insider knowledge to TFI, providing invaluable advice on using social media and publicity to promote and market a brand.

Franco Mirabelli

Fashion Designer, Creative Director & Retail/Manufacturer Consultant

Talk to Franco

Franco is an acclaimed Canadian designer who can offer advice in designing, sourcing, manufacturing, fitting and selling to major retailers (Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom) and US trade shows (Magic, Coterie). He has also designed uniforms (Four Seasons Centre, Hazelton Hotel, Intercontinental Hotels).

Clara Northcott

Publicist & President
Northcott Communications

Talk to Clara

A public relations and event management specialist representing international and national brands for over 15 years, Clara offers mentorship in the areas of sponsorships and public/media relations. She knows how to gain media attention and get emerging businesses effectively noticed.

Anita Pastor

Consultant,
Retail Pricing & Merchandising

Talk to Anita

Anita offers over a decade of hands-on experience in the realms of fashion and interior design. A former buyer at Hudson’s Bay, Barrymore Furniture and Decorium, Anita knows how retail works. Her expertise includes branding, merchandise presentations, retail pricing, marketing and more.

Evelyn Reynolds

Founder & President
Retail Resource Partners Inc.

Talk to Evelyn

Highly accomplished in product development, merchandising and retail management, Evelyn has worked in retail and business development for over 30 years, including in manufacturing and wholesale. With her in-depth fashion retail knowledge, Evelyn can provide business assessment and strategic advice for business growth.

Heidi Ruggier

President
Matte PR

Talk to Heidi

Chat with Heidi about how to create a universe for your brand and capture your target customer. Work with her on overall brand strategy, e-commerce, PR and digital. Established brands can discuss how to engage markets globally while keeping production and design local.

George Sully

Fashion Business Consultant

Talk to George

George Sully is a designer, entrepreneur, brand architect and philanthropist. Based in Toronto, George has established a collective of multifaceted companies that leverage him as an innovative player in multimedia content creation and fashion design. Meet with George to find out how to pitch design collaborations.

Anouk Natalya Willy

Design Consultant

Talk to Anouk

Trained in Haute Couture techniques, Anouk has apprenticed in Paris under renowned couturiers such as Chanel, Mme Grès and Jean-Paul Gaultier. She is a dynamic source for gaining knowledge about the practice of couture, working with private clients, and establishing pricing for custom-made items. 

Livia Zufferli

Branding & Retail Consultant

Talk to Livia

Livia is an experienced strategist who has launched national campaigns, social activations and in-store marketing. Planning a pop-up? Livia provides expert advice on creating and merchandising the perfect pop-up assortment, in-store evaluations and more techniques to help grow your brand.