Our Team

Senior National Director, Corporate Affairs
Microsoft Canada

Marlene Floyd is one of Canada’s leading government affairs professionals with over 20 years working in business, government and the not-for-profit sector. Professionally Marlene leads Microsoft’s corporate affairs, public policy and advocacy efforts in Canada. Prior to joining Microsoft, Marlene has worked as a partner in a national government and public affairs firm and has served as a trusted advisor to Prime Ministers and several federal Ministers on a diverse range of public policy matters. An avid volunteer, Marlene sits on and chairs several national and community boards, including Dress for Success Canada Foundation, Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), and the Canadian American Business Council. She is the founder of Dress for Success Ottawa, a charity that empowers the economic independence of women by providing the tools to help them thrive in work and in life. For her career and community achievements Marlene has been a recipient of a Forty Under 40 award, Y Women of Distinction award and a Leading Women Building Communities award from the province of Ontario.

Founder and CEO, Hillberg & Berk

Rachel Mielke is a dynamic entrepreneur, accomplished philanthropist, and sought-after speaker whose visionary leadership has left a lasting impact in business and beyond. Best known as the founder and CEO of Hillberg & Berk, one of Canada’s most celebrated jewelry brands, Rachel transformed her passion for design into a thriving, multimillion-dollar company. Her journey from a small home-based business to becoming a nationally recognized success story exemplifies the resilience, creativity, and tenacity that define Canadian entrepreneurship.

Rachel’s philanthropic endeavors are deeply ingrained in her personal and professional values. Believing that businesses have the power to change lives, Rachel has embedded philanthropy into the very fabric of Hillberg & Berk. Her company champions women’s empowerment with 1% for women, a commitment of 1% of annual revenue in donations and jewelry to charitable initiatives that uplift women locally and globally. Rachel has partnered with organizations across the country to fund education, mentorship, and opportunities for women, helping them realize their potential and achieve financial independence. Hillberg & Berk supports Dress For Success Canada as a national partner, providing jewelry for every woman who goes through the DFS Suiting Program. Her efforts have garnered recognition for creating a positive social impact, reflecting her belief that success is best measured by the ability to uplift others.

A committed volunteer, Rachel dedicates her time and resources to various charitable causes and community organizations. Whether mentoring young entrepreneurs, raising awareness for women’s health, or being an active board member, her leadership extends well beyond the boardroom. She served as co-chair of Saskatoon University Hospital’s Women Leading Philanthropy for six years, championing groundbreaking female focused healthcare initiatives funded by local women. Rachel is in her second term serving as an Honorary Captain for the Royal Canadian Navy, offering guidance to the RCN and promoting the work of its members. She also serves on the national board of directors for Dress For Success Canada Foundation and St. Margaret’s School in Victoria, a global leadership school for girls. In 2022, Rachel was the recipient of an Honorary Degree from her alma matter, the University of Regina, in recognition of her philanthropic impact in her community and beyond.

As a highly regarded public speaker, Rachel shares her expertise and inspiring story on stages across Canada. She has been invited to speak at national conferences, entrepreneurial summits, and women’s leadership forums, where she motivates aspiring business leaders to dream big and persevere. Rachel’s ability to connect authentically with audiences makes her a role model for entrepreneurs and changemakers alike.

Her successes have earned her numerous accolades, including business awards and recognition as a trailblazer in Canadian commerce. Now, Rachel brings her passion for entrepreneurship, keen business acumen, and heart for philanthropy to the forefront as she invests in other female founded companies through Women’s Equity Lab. Her commitment to investing in businesses with purpose and potential reflects her desire to foster the next generation of innovators and leaders.

Rachel Mielke is not only a powerhouse in business but also a compassionate leader who believes that success is meant to be shared. Her legacy is one of empowerment, generosity, and the relentless pursuit of making a difference.

Branch Manager, Scotia McLeod, Ottawa

As Branch Manager and member of the ScotiaWealth’s Senior leadership team, Roxanne is accountable for day-to-day oversight of Investment Advisors.

Fully bilingual in French and English, Roxanne employs a holistic approach to collaborating with her colleagues and designing integrated solutions to enable clients and achieve their personal Wealth goals. With more than 20 years of both Domestic and International industry experience, Roxanne knows how to navigate the nuances and complexities of Wealth Management so that clients can have confidence knowing that their goals are within reach.

Roxanne holds an Honors Bachelor of Commerce degree with a Double Major in Finance and Accounting from Laurentian University. In addition to earning her CFP (Certified Financial Planner) and CIM (Chartered Investment Manager), Roxanne is also a CPA/CGA (Chartered Professional Accountant) through the University of Calgary.

Executive Director, Dress for Success Central Alberta

Erin Forbes brings a wealth of experience in the non-profit sector in Central Alberta. She is currently the Executive Director of Dress for Success Central Alberta, leading the organization through significant increases in client service and building the operational capacity to successfully manage this growth. Prior to joining Dress for Success Central Alberta, Erin spent the previous ten years in senior roles within non-profit organizations and academic institutions. Her work within the non-profit sector has led to a specialization and passion for strategic planning, fund development and community engagement. Erin holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing (with honours) from the University of Saskatchewan and a postgraduate certificate in change management. She is an active member of the Red Deer & District Chamber Board of Directors.

Prior to her work in the non-profit sector, Erin co-owned and operated a local business until selling it in 2021. Erin currently resides in Red Deer with her husband, two children and their labrador retriever. She is deeply invested in her community and believes in the value of partnerships and engagement.

Principal, Campbell Strategies

Gayle has spent more than 20 years working in public affairs, and brings experience in stakeholder relations, government relations and public policy on a range of issues. Prior to joining Campbell Strategies, Gayle held roles in the private sector, government and not-for-profit organizations including Director, External Affairs at CIJA; Special Advisor to the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Ontario Office of International Relations and Protocol; Director of Lawyer Happiness at Axiom Law/Cognition LLP; and Vice Chair of the Ontario Office for Victims of Crime.

Connecting with people, and connecting people to one another, is Gayle’s passion and a driving force in her professional and personal life.

Gayle is a lawyer by training and practiced civil litigation at Goodmans LLP in Toronto. She is a graduate of McGill University and Osgoode Hall Law School.

Interim CEO & Strategic Advisor, Dress for Success Worldwide

Joanie Bily joined Dress for Success® Worldwide as Interim CEO & Strategic Advisor in June 2025.

Joanie is a seasoned executive and influential thought leader in the employment and workforce solutions industry, with over 30 years of experience driving growth, innovation, and strategic transformation at globally recognized organizations. An advocate for purpose-driven leadership, Joanie is known for building high-performing teams, driving sustainable growth, and helping individuals and businesses navigate the evolving world of work. Most recently, she served as President of RemX, the professional staffing division of Employbridge, and has held senior executive roles at Monster, Randstad, and Adecco.

Throughout her career, Joanie has led large-scale P&L operations and spearheaded enterprise-wide initiatives including communications, marketing, public relations, and brand transformation. She established and led a research and labor market insights function, positioning organizations as authoritative voices on workforce trends. Notably, she helped launch the Better Worklife Academy—an innovative online learning platform focused on upskilling—and helped launch the Life Skill Studio, a series of courses aimed at enhancing talent in areas such as financial literacy, communication, and leadership.

A passionate advocate for the staffing and recruiting profession, Joanie has served on the Board of Directors for the American Staffing Association (ASA) since 2018 and was appointed Chair of the Board for 2024. Her leadership has earned industry-wide recognition, including the Employbridge Chip Grissom Leader of the Year Award, and she has been named to Staffing Industry Analysts’ North America Top 100 and Global Power 100 Women in Staffing lists. She is also the recipient of the inaugural World Staffing Summit Award and served on the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of Georgia.

Joanie is a respected voice on labor market dynamics, workforce strategy, and career development. A frequent keynote speaker and media contributor, she has been featured on Fox Business, CNBC, CNN, MSNBC, and PBS, as well as in major publications including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Newsweek, and U.S. News & World Report.

She is the author of Dive In D.E.E.P.: Strategies to Advance Your Career, Find Balance, and Live Your Best Life (2023), and a contributing author to Together We Rise, a compilation of inspirational stories from women leaders.

Joanie earned her Bachelor of Science in Community and Human Services, graduating with Highest Distinction from the State University of New York. Originally from Queens and Long Island, New York, she now calls South Florida home. A lifelong runner, she takes pride in having completed multiple half marathons as well as the New York City Marathon. Above all, Joanie is deeply committed to making a positive impact in people’s lives—motivating others to pursue their goals and live with purpose. Her greatest joy comes from being a proud mom to her son, Chase, and daughter, Ashley, and cherishing time with family and friends.

Executive Director, Making Changes Association

With over 30 years of experience empowering teams, supporting clients, and generating results, Lori’s career focus has been on the value of relationship building – both internal and external relationships – and their impact on the bottom line.  

Lori’s career journey has taken her from for-profit work in the business communications and training field, to launching her own personal coaching business, to working in non-profit organizations.  Lori has spent the last 15 years in senior roles within non-profit organizations guiding and supporting strategic planning, program development, human resources, funding initiatives, and stakeholder engagement.  Lori is passionate about empowering women and helping to ensure all individuals are provided equal opportunities regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, or sexual identification.

In October 2022, Lori joined Making Changes Association as their Executive Director.  Dress for Success Calgary operates as a division of Making Changes Association. The association has over 40 years of empowering women, those who identify as women, and teen girls – helping them reach their full potential.  The alignment of Lori’s passions, and the vision and values of Making Changes, is an exciting chapter in Lori’s life – bringing her experience and life-long focus on people, full circle.

Lawyer, Vice Office Managing Partner, Cozen O’Connor

Lucy is a corporate and securities lawyer and the vice office managing partner of Cozen O’Connor’s Vancouver office. Lucy focuses her legal practice on general corporate and commercial matters, securities and stock exchange requirements, continuous disclosure, corporate governance, and various securities and stock exchange-related issues. She has represented numerous companies in the negotiation, structuring, and completion of a wide variety of transactions, including public and private offerings, plans of arrangement, spinout transactions, stock exchange listings and mergers and acquisitions.

Lucy is a contributing author of the Continuing Legal Education Society British Columbia’s Due Diligence Deskbook and has lectured on topics including corporate governance, securities, and corporate law. She also serves on the board of directors of Dress for Success Vancouver and CFA Society Vancouver.

Senior Reporter, CBC/Radio-Canada

Lyndsay Duncombe is a senior reporter with CBC National News based in Vancouver. She has more than 20 years experience as a reporter, producer and editorial leader both in Canada and internationally.

CBC’s Senior Washington Editor during the Trump administration, Lyndsay has also been posted in Los Angeles, Winnipeg and her home province of Saskatchewan.

Lyndsay is drawn to stories about people, especially women, overcoming obstacles and thriving. She volunteered with the N Street Village in Washington, DC and was an early producer with Journalists for Human Rights in Ghana.

Chief Diversity Officer, Linde

Michelle Loo serves as the Chief Diversity Officer at Linde plc. Linde plc is a leading global industrial gases and engineering company that operates in over 80 countries worldwide.

In her current role, Michelle leads the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across Linde’s global operations. Before her current role, Michelle served as Head of Human Resources for Linde Canada.

Michelle brings over 20 years of experience in human resources and DEI leadership, working for large multinational organizations. Michelle holds bachelor’s degrees in liberal studies and business economics and a master’s degree in human resources, from York University.