TBIF Conversations in Toronto: Ashley Boyce and Deidre Marinelli

Join us in Toronto for the next installment of The Brand is Female Conversation Series, presented by TD Women in Enterprise! Meet two leaders who are redefining what women want — and building the products, platforms, and circular models to match — for a fireside chat about creating with intention, staying close to your customer, and the future of brands women love.

Meet the panelists:

Ashley Boyce – CEO, Zero Collective
Ashley Boyce has spent nearly two decades in CPG learning one thing above all else: most products built for women don't actually start with women in mind. She's spent her career fixing that. From scaling a $12M DTC brand to leading Zero Collective — a luxury handbag membership reimagining how Canadian women access the designer pieces they love — Ashley has consistently built at the intersection of desire, accessibility, and sustainability. Zero Collective's circular model gives members access to coveted bags from houses like Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton through a subscription that keeps products in use longer and consumption more intentional. The waitlist isn't just a business tactic — it's a reflection of what happens when you build something women genuinely want to be part of.

Deidre Marinelli – Publisher, FASHION
Deidre Marinelli has spent her career shaping what Canadian women see, want, and aspire to. As publisher of FASHION — Canada's most recognized fashion media brand — she oversees brand strategy, revenue, and growth at a moment when the industry is being reinvented in real time. A champion of circular fashion, emerging designers, and the cultural shifts redefining beauty and style, Deidre understands that what women want from a brand goes well beyond the product itself. She's building a media brand that reflects that — and a community to match.

Why you should join: Ashley and Deidre are both in the business of understanding women deeply — and building accordingly. One is disrupting ownership. The other is disrupting how culture gets made. Together, they offer a rare, honest look at what it takes to create something women don't just buy, but believe in. Expect a candid conversation about:

• What it means to truly build with the female customer at the centre
• How sustainability and circularity are reshaping what women expect from brands
• The opportunities and trade-offs of scaling while staying true to your values
• Why the brands women love most are the ones that never stopped listening

Event details:

When: Wednesday, May 6, 2026

What time: 9AM networking breakfast, followed by a panel from 9:30AM to 10:30AM

Where: TD Tower, 66 Wellington W.

The panel will be moderated by Eva Hartling, Founder, The Brand is Female.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher The Brand is Female / Femmes de marque