TFI Outreach Members receive 120 minutes of consultation time with TFI volunteer mentors as part of your yearly membership. Sign up for a 30 or 60 minute appointment using the TFI Consultation Request Form (see link below).
Our on-site industry experts include:
Kathy Cheng, WS &Co. Ltd.: Shortly after graduating from the University of Toronto in business management, Kathy developed her marketing skills in various posts, including managing the Canadian Education Expo in Taipei, Taiwan. In 2000, Kathy took on the position of director of marketing and business development for WS & Co., a Canadian activewear manufacturer, which specializes in customized programs for international brand-name clients. Kathy serves on the board of directors for Fashion Group International, Toronto Chapter, as well as the Toronto Fashion Incubator's Advisory Committee.
Wanda Ho, Business Consultant: In the 1980's, Wanda worked as a Chartered Accountant for KPMG LLP, the Canadian member firm affiliated with KPMG International,a global network of professional firms providing audit, tax, and advisory services. At the time, many of Wanda's clients were based in the retail sector. In 1986, Wanda opened her own practice whose clients included fashion designers, apparel manufacturers and sales agents.
Wanda is a consummate volunteer who serves, or has served, on many Boards and Committees including: Chair of Development, North York General Hospital; Chair of Finance, St. Clement's School; Chair of Finance, Royal St. George's College; President, Condo Corporation #1740; Campaign Cabinet, Royal Conservatory of Music.
Mary Jo Looby, MJL Retail Consulting: Mary Jo Looby holds a B.A. from The University of Western Ontario and a Diploma in Fashion Merchandising from The International Academy of Merchandising and Design. Her 15 year retail career includes senior buying positions at The Bay and Holt Renfrew. She has also taught Buying, Retail Business and Presentation Skills and The International Academy of Merchandising and Design. Mary Jo recently launched “MJL Retail Consulting” a business that focuses on merchandise expertise.
Clara Northcott, Northcott Communications: Clara Northcott is a senior public relations/communications professional with over 15 years of experience in marketing, public relations, special events and sponsorship. As President of Northcott Communications she has successfully handled public relations for an impressive list of international clients including, Diageo, Smirnoff, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Phantom Industries, Sara Lee Hosiery and Mondetta. Northcott handled the Canadian launch of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin's "La Grande Dame" PR Program recognizing Canadian women in the arts and business fields. In addition, she played a pivotal role in popularizing the Smirnoff International Fashion Awards in Canada and abroad--Canada hosted the International Final twice, it won two international titles between 1992-2002, and in 2002, Smirnoff accepted an Industry Award from the City of Toronto, for its contribution to Canadian Fashion. Earlier in her career, Northcott held positions at Estee Lauder, Eaton's, Ryerson University and Sanger Harris in Dallas , Texas . Northcott's current client list includes: Painter/Sculptor Thi Tram Vo, Pianist/Vocalist Allison Crowe, Arthur Mendonca, Lulu B Wines (Sopexa Canada) and The Canadian Multicultural Hockey Championships. http://northcottcomm.com/
Pheinixx Paul, Creative Director, Pencil: Pheinixx specializes in fashioning the artistic and graphic look of a brand. This involves her in design, art direction, marketing and communication planning: leading other creative professionals to realize branding and marketing goals throughout Canada, United States, Eastern Europe, China, Korea and Western Europe by supplying a unique and innovative vision.
As the daughter of an accomplished painter and fashion designer, Pheinixx grew up with a paintbrush or camera in her hand at all times. She studied communications arts and creative advertising at Seneca College where she won awards for media planning, copy writing and graphic design. She has lectured on web design for the Design Exchange and taught creative thinking and graphic design at the college level.
With over a decade of experience within the entertainment and fashion industry, Pheinixx is currently creative director and president of Pencil, a graphic design firm that focuses on creative brand design, creative direction and graphic design. Pheinixx is also Co-Regional Director & Communications Chair, Fashion Group International, Toronto.
Evelyn Reynolds is Principal of Retail Resource Partners, a consulting company that she formed to work with retail, wholesale and design companies in the USA and Canada. She is focused on helping her clients maximize existing business opportunities, as well as working with them to evaluate future requirements for growth or brand repositioning.
Her experience covers both wholesale and retail in multiple market segments, giving her a uniquely balanced understanding of the need to maintain a design aesthetic with a commercial reality. She has over 30 years of experience in the industry in specialty, luxury and mass retailing in both women's apparel and accessories. She spent 12 years at Holt Renfrew and 3 years in manufacturing with Mr. Leonard in Toronto, then a leading domestic resource.
She is highly accomplished in business management and merchandising. She has worked closely with partners to create innovative marketing plans, develop sourcing / production strategies and retail operations. Her business plans and entrepreneurial vision have resulted in growing both brands and companies in terms of annual volume and profitability.
Clint Scott, HR Talent Scout & Recruiter has spent the past 12 years partnering with a blend of innovative start-ups through some of Canada's leading fortune 100 companies. He is currently a Search Consultant representing three leading Luxury Retailers globally. Prior to his current role, Clint was an Associate directly accountable to the Managing Partner, Consumer and Retail Practice at arguably Canada's leading national retained executive search firm here in Toronto.
Clint has recruited both locally and internationally, in various industries and across all vocations. He has ongoing commitment to, and passion for, recruitment best practices, innovation and service levels. A budding entrepreneur himself, Clint runs his own consulting firm where he trains other recruiters on appropriate recruitment techniques and strategies while also coaching, hiring managers and clients on recruiting sources, resume assessing and interviewing skills etc.
When not scouting talent, Clint can be found shopping, working on some home/garden decor/improvement project or at his archery club.
Wendy Wong, Designer, House of Spy: A science lab couldn’t contain the creative prowess of former biology student Wendy Wong who burst onto the fashion scene in 2000 with her clothing line, House of Spy. While studying biology at the University of Toronto, Wendy took a part time job as a receptionist at the International Academy of Design and Technology. Discovering that one of the perks of the job included free classes, Wong enrolled in the pattern drafting and clothing construction courses. Although she completed her biology degree, upon graduation she immediately went straight to work making clothing samples.
Trading in her test tubes for fashion design was a bold move which paid off. House of Spy is now being sold in many stylish boutiques throughout Canada and the US and the list of countries yearning for House of Spy style keeps growing. Wong’s bold use of colours and prints make for a sweet, playful, quirky line. The edgy feminine shapes have garnered this brand a loyal following among hip young women everywhere.
Wendy is a former TFI Resident member who has been named in Sportswear International’s prestigious ‘Who’s Who’ list for two consecutive years (2006 and 2007).
1milk2sugars PR: Playful yet professional. Over-the-top yet organized. Approachable yet assertive. 1milk2sugars is a boutique PR firm. Founded by Uzma Ullah and Priya Chopra, these dynamic 'sugars' and their skilled staff defy convention in their branding and PR solutions. With a roster of clients in the fashion, decor and beauty industries, 1milk2sugars consistently deliver quick and quality results.
Uzma Ullah (above right) has always been a natural entrepreneur, launching an array of successful businesses from day one. As Creative Director for 1milk2sugars, Uzma leads the creation of beautiful press kits and communiqués that command the attention of the media. Her graphic talents have been appreciated by fashion labels such as Miss Sixty, Energie, Mackage, Plain Jane to name a few. 1milk2sugars' in-house design team is a key unique asset to their agency.
Priya Chopra (above left) leads the Media Relations for 1milk2sugars. Schooled in PR and Marketing by Fortune 500’s like L’Oreal Canada and Campbell Soup, Priya took these corporate tools and combined them with her entrepreneurial drive. Her training while at L'Oreal included PR for luxury brands such as Armani and Lancôme, as well as Product Management for Redken. Her academic yearning and passion for fashion and design led to pursuing her Master’s in Fashion Management in Milan, Italy.
Join TFI today to take advantage of this exclusive membership opportunity!
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