Eddie Valcin – Head of Marketing at Neon16, previously Soho House, Tik Tok and Apple

Eddie Valcin is a marketing executive and brand strategist with over ten years of experience leading campaigns across entertainment, media, and consumer brands. As Head of Marketing at NEON16, he directs global efforts spanning music, film, sports, and branded content, with a track record of delivering culturally relevant work around major events like the Super Bowl, Formula 1, and the Latin Grammys. He has partnered with leading companies such as Nike, Apple Music, Spotify, and Meta, known for developing creative strategies that drive both cultural impact and business results. Eddie previously held senior roles at Soho House and has consulted across the industry on content development, talent partnerships, and global brand launches. With deep experience in live events, digital media, and multicultural marketing, he’s recognized for his ability to connect brands to emerging audiences and craft stories that reflect the evolving cultural landscape.

Maxine Williams – VP Accessibility & Engagement at Meta, formerly Facebook

Maxine Williams is the Vice President of Accessibility and Engagement at Meta, where she leads efforts across product, policy, and people to ensure Meta’s platforms are accessible and inclusive for all users. Formerly the company’s Chief Diversity Officer, she works closely with internal teams and the disability community to integrate accessibility into Meta’s design and culture. Maxine’s career spans law, human rights, media, and corporate governance. She has served as a director on multiple public company boards, including Doma Holdings and The Massy Group, and currently sits on the boards of the Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation, the Lean In Foundation, and the Yale University Council. A Yale graduate and Rhodes Scholar, she earned her law degree with first-class honors from Oxford University.

Marc Farrell – CEO & Founder of Ten To One Rum

Marc Farrell is a proud Trinidadian and the Founder and CEO of Ten To One Rum, an award-winning brand redefining the conversation around Caribbean rum. With deep cultural roots and a keen understanding of the U.S. market, Marc brings a unique perspective to the spirits industry. Prior to launching Ten To One, he served as the youngest Vice President at Starbucks, leading initiatives in eCommerce, retail strategy, and beverage innovation. His career also includes roles at Fidelity Equity Partners and Bain & Co. A precocious scholar, Marc entered MIT at 16 and later studied at Cambridge University and Harvard Business School. He is also an active angel investor and serves on the boards of Wheels Up (NYSE) and the Amazon BBA Advisory Council.

Ashley McKenzie-Barnes – Creative Director, Curator, Founder, D.PE Agency

Ashley brings over 20 years of experience as an award-winning creative director and curator. Recently she launched D.PE (Diverse, Progressive, Experiences) Agency, which focuses on reflecting a diverse creative community. Her artistic projects and cultural programming have spanned across clients and institutions such as; CIBC Square, EY, CBC, The City of Toronto, Nuit Blanche, Harbourfront Centre, Ontario Culture Days, Universal Music, Scotiabank, Destination Toronto, TEDx Toronto, Ontario Culture Days, Manifesto Festival, Johnnie Walker, Bombay Sapphire, Intrepid Travel, 19 Crimes, Truly Seltzer, the notable Lauryn Hill, and many more. Ashley’s commitment to inclusivity and innovation continues to shape Toronto’s artistic landscape.

Moderated by Fayola K J Fraser

Fayola Fraser is an international development professional with over seven years of experience working in international security. She has led a broad spectrum of capacity-building projects at various institutions, including the Commonwealth Secretariat & the United Nations.

She is also a freelance storyteller – a contributing features writer for The Trinidad Guardian and the Caribbean Beat. Most recently, she profiled prolific Jamaican author Safiya Sinclair for the Caribbean Beat magazine. Her passion as a writer is in documenting achievements of women, especially Black women, to inspire and uplift others.