L’intelligence artificielle au service de l’humain : avec Selwa Rafi de KEPLR

Scientifique et entrepreneure, Selwa Rafi, Ph.D. est la fondatrice et cheffe de la direction de KEPLR Intelligence, une entreprise montréalaise spécialisée en science des données et en intelligence artificielle appliquée à la compréhension du comportement humain dans des environnements complexes — de l’aviation à l’aérospatiale.Dans cet épisode, Selwa revient sur son parcours exceptionnel : de ses débuts en recherche jusqu’à la création de sa propre entreprise technologique. Elle partage avec authenticité les défis rencontrés dans un domaine encore très masculin, les moments qui ont façonné sa vision du leadership, et l’importance de bâtir une innovation plus éthique, inclusive et humaine.Une conversation inspirante avec une pionnière qui redéfinit le rôle des femmes dans la science et la technologie.Cet épisode fait partie de notre mini-série portant sur le parcours de femmes inspirantes qui ont du génie, et qui vous est offerte par Gestion FÉRIQUE et Services d'investissement FÉRIQUE. Gestion FÉRIQUE est un gestionnaire de fonds communs de placement qui sont offerts exclusivement aux professionnels en génie, ainsi qu'à leurs familles et leurs entreprises, par le biais de Services d'investissement FÉRIQUE. Visitez ferique.com.This episode is airing in French.Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Maud Cohen est la première femme à diriger Polytechnique Montréal depuis sa création en 1873 — une étape marquante pour le milieu universitaire et de l’ingénierie au Québec. Forte d’un parcours ancré dans l’innovation, la rigueur et le leadership humain, Maud a dirigé plusieurs grandes organisations, dont la Fondation CHU Sainte-Justine et l’Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. Dans cet épisode, elle revient sur l’évolution du leadership en sciences et en ingénierie, l’importance de la représentation et la manière dont l’agilité, la collaboration et l’empathie peuvent inspirer la relève.Cet épisode fait partie de notre mini-série portant sur le parcours de femmes inspirantes qui ont du génie, et qui vous est offerte par Gestion FÉRIQUE et Services d'investissement FÉRIQUE. Gestion FÉRIQUE est un gestionnaire de fonds communs de placement qui sont offerts exclusivement aux professionnels en génie, ainsi qu'à leurs familles et leurs entreprises, par le biais de Services d'investissement FÉRIQUE. Visitez ferique.com.Maud Cohen is the first woman to lead Polytechnique Montréal since its founding in 1873—a historic milestone in Quebec’s academic and engineering landscape. With a career built on innovation, integrity, and human-centered leadership, Maud has led major organizations including the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation and the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. In this conversation, she reflects on the evolution of leadership in STEM, the importance of representation, and how fostering agility, collaboration, and empathy can shape the next generation of changemakers. This episode is airing in French.Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

October is World Menopause Month — and it’s time to challenge one of the most persistent myths in our culture: that women’s careers, beauty, and relevance come with an expiration date. Graydon Moffat, founder of Graydon Skincare, has made it her mission to defy that idea. She’s spoken openly about ageism in entrepreneurship and about how women navigating perimenopause and beyond deserve to be seen, supported, and celebrated — not sidelined.Before becoming a skincare founder, Graydon had already reinvented herself more than once — from plant-based chef to yoga teacher — and it was through these experiences that she earned the nickname “The Skin Chef.” Her approach to beauty was never about anti-aging, but about nourishment and vitality. That same philosophy drives the formulas at Graydon Skincare, where super-powered superfoods meet proven clinical actives to create products that are as effective as they are ethical.Today, Graydon leads a female-founded, values-driven company grounded in ingredient transparency, sustainable packaging, and accessibility — proving that looking good and feeling good can go hand in hand. In this conversation, she shares her insights on aging, entrepreneurship, and building a conscious beauty brand that stands the test of time.This episode originally aired during Season 6.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Canada is facing a women’s health crisis: three in four women over 40 experience menopausal symptoms that disrupt their daily lives — yet access to care is inconsistent, fragmented, and often out of reach.In this episode of The Brand is Female, highlighting World Menopause Month, Eva Hartling speaks with Dr. Michelle Jacobson, a leading OBGYN who decided to take her expertise beyond the clinic and into entrepreneurship. As co-founder of Coven Women’s Health, she is transforming how women access hormonal health support in Ontario with a virtual platform offering expert, continuous, and personalized care.Dr. Jacobson is joined by her co-founder and CEO, Jennifer Patterson — a seasoned business builder with experience at Google and TD, who, after her own frustrating experience of feeling unwell, became passionate about making women’s health solutions easier to access.Together, they discuss why hormonal health remains stigmatized and overlooked in Canada, what’s missing from our current system, and how Coven is reshaping the future of women’s healthcare through integrated programs that support women navigating menopause, perimenopause, PCOS, postpartum recovery, PMDD, and more. This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Kelsey Irvine is part of the mother/two-daughters trio behind Birch Babe, a Canadian skincare brand that's making waves in the natural beauty industry. Kelsey's career is a blend of creativity, commitment to sustainability, and a keen eye for storytelling. With a background in commercial advertising and documentary directing, she has a unique ability to craft content that looks good and connects on an emotional level.Kelsey isn't just about making things look pretty; she's deeply invested in making a difference. Her work as an Oscar-nominated producer highlights her dedication to narratives that drive positive change. This passion is a perfect match for Birch Babe's ethos, which prioritizes natural and ethically sourced ingredients, waste reduction, and minimizing carbon footprints. As CEO and Head of Creative and Communications at Birch Babe, Kelsey has helped the brand grow into a leader in the natural beauty market, earning a dedicated following and a reputation for excellence. In this episode, we delve into how Kelsey's blend of creative talent and strategic thinking and her commitment to eco-friendly practices helped shape a successful brand that stands for more than just beauty products. She also brings up her sobriety journey and commitment to living intentionally.This episode originally aired as part of our 2024 season.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

What does it take to challenge centuries of tradition and shift an entire culture’s relationship with alcohol? In this episode, I sit down with Moa Gürbüzer, a former social worker and family therapist who saw firsthand how alcohol harms families and communities. Rather than staying in the therapy room, Moa decided to tackle the issue at its roots: our cultural norms and rituals around drinking.At the age of 55, she founded Oddbird, a Swedish winery dedicated to producing world-class, non-alcoholic wines. Partnering with leading oenologists and more than 100 vineyards, Moa has turned skepticism into admiration—her wines are now served in Michelin-starred restaurants, featured at the Nobel Prize after-party, and even gifted to Porsche owners in Sweden.Moa shares her journey from being dismissed as an “outsider” to building a respected brand that blends craftsmanship, science, and social purpose. We talk about why shame is at the core of drinking culture, how women supporting women can accelerate change, and why failure should be celebrated as part of the entrepreneurial process.This is a conversation about innovation, resilience, and rewriting the rules—not only for the wine industry, but for how we celebrate, connect, and care for one another.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

We’re re-airing this episode as it has been one of our favourites this past season. It features a true pioneer in the period care space: Carinne Chambers-Saini, Founder and CEO of DIVA, the company behind the Original DIVA Cup. What started over 20 years ago as a mother-daughter mission to bring a better, more sustainable alternative to pads and tampons has since grown into a global brand that has reshaped the menstrual care industry.Back in 2002, Carinne and her mom Francine launched DIVA out of their basement in Kitchener, Ontario. Together, they took on an industry that wasn’t built with women’s bodies—or the planet—in mind. Their vision? Conscious, accessible, stigma-free period care for every body.Since then, DIVA has become a household name, known not just for innovation but for pushing the conversation forward around menstrual equity, sustainability, and body confidence.In this conversation, Carinne shares what it took to build a brand that challenged the status quo, how she continues to lead with purpose, and what’s next for a company that’s always been ahead of its time.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

This week, we’re revisiting one of our fave conversations of the season. Eva chats with Sara Jonsdottir, Founder and CEO of Revol Cares—a company leading the charge in reimagining period care with medically recognized, toxin-free leakproof underwear.Sara shares her journey from identifying critical gaps in women’s health and sustainability to launching an innovative product that puts safety, comfort, and dignity first. We talk about what it takes to fundraise in a space often ignored by investors, how she’s challenging long-standing taboos around menstruation, and why human-centered design is at the heart of her brand’s mission.This conversation is for anyone who’s ever felt let down by traditional period products—and for every entrepreneur dreaming of building something that truly makes a difference.Topics Include:Why the period care industry needed a revolutionHow Sara raised capital while educating investors on women’s healthBuilding stigma-free, sustainable productsDesigning with empathy and user needs in mindThe future of innovation in menstrual careFollow @RevolCares to learn more.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

What do you get when a childhood CEO dream, a boring date night, and a refusal to settle for burnout collide? You get Mandy Balak’s playbook for building brands, leading communities, and living life on purpose.In this episode, Mandy—entrepreneur, coach, and President of The Gathering—shares how she turned a last-minute class project into a media company, why her monthly Integration Day is non-negotiable, and what it really takes to build a legacy without losing yourself in the hustle.We talk ambition, alignment, burnout, bold decisions—and why leadership without presence just isn’t it anymore. Whether you’re running a business or running on fumes, this one’s for you.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

With summer in full swing and fewer people tuning in weekly (because… vacation!)—we’re revisiting some of our favourite episodes from the past year—ones that deserve another listen as we hit the halfway mark. Kaelen Haworth is a designer and entrepreneur who has navigated the ever-changing world of fashion with creativity and adaptability. After launching her namesake brand in 2009 and earning a spot in the CFDA Incubator program, she built a reputation for effortless, modern womenswear. She later expanded into size-inclusive fashion with Second Sight and spent time in editorial and celebrity styling.Now, after years in New York, Kaelen has moved back to Toronto—lucky us in Canada! She’s the founder of Absolutely Fabrics, a concept store that blends fashion, vintage, and creative community. In an industry where retail is tougher than ever, Kaelen has found a modern way to make it work. Her store isn’t just about selling clothes—it’s about creating an experience, hosting trunk shows, photo shoots, and designer collaborations to bring people together in a fresh, engaging way.On top of that, she’s taken a smart and personal approach to connecting with her audience through her Substack, where she shares thoughtful takes on fashion, entrepreneurship, and the realities of running a business in today’s landscape.Kaelen’s career has been defined by reinvention, and she’s proving that fashion retail can still thrive—if you do it differently. This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale