Biographies

JULIE TOSKAN-CASALE

Julie Toskan Casale, Canadian business success story, and committed philanthropist, believes that as an individual if you have the ability to recognize an inequity, you have a responsibility to address it. Since founding the Toskan Casale Foundation, Julie has applied her resources to making positive change for individuals in local communities across Canada.

In 1985 Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo co-founded M.A.C Cosmetics Ltd., one of the industry's biggest success stories. While with M.A.C, Julie and her husband Victor Casale were active partners in this groundbreaking company, and Julie headed up the global marketing and public relations division. She also oversaw the M.A.C AIDS Fund, a foundation dedicated to helping people living with HIV and AIDS which to date has raised over USD$115 million.

In 1998, after MAC was sold to Estée Lauder, Julie found herself with an open schedule and available resources. She decided to dedicate herself to the aspect of life at MAC she found most rewarding; her charitable work. Julie wanted to practice an engaged form of philanthropy and was determined to build a philanthropic venture with a strategic underpinning. In 1999, Julie became the first Canadian to graduate from the renowned Rockefeller Foundation’s Philanthropy Workshop. In 2001, she established The Toskan Casale Foundation—a family foundation dedicated to supporting and strengthening community-based social programs and organizations.

In 2002, Julie created the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) a program providing high school students with a reality experience through a school-based, community-focused philanthropy program. Since its launch, the program has enabled young philanthropists to donate $2,500,000.

Julie is a member of the Philanthropic Foundations of Canada, a board member of Centennial Infant and Child Centre Foundation, a former board member of the new TD/Canada Trust supported Private Giving Foundation and past board member for the Centre for Opportunity, Respect and Empowerment. She works and lives in Toronto with husband Victor and their three sons.

FRANK TOSKAN

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart. -- Khalil Gibran, (1883 - 1931)

As co-founder and creative force behind MAC Cosmetics, Frank Toskan helped show the world that business success did not require an abandonment of principles. Starting out as a photographer and make up artist, Frank helped take MAC from a kitchen operation in 1985 to an international cosmetics powerhouse with products for consumers of all ages, sexes and ethnicities. By the time MAC was sold to Estée Lauder in 1998, the company was known as much for its good works and ethical policies as its fashion-forward products.

In addition to bringing a global influence on the cosmetics industry, Frank was one of the first to marry philanthropy to the retail world. Fundraising efforts for the MAC AIDS Foundation—including the successful VIVA GLAM lipstick campaign—have become some the fashion world's most glamorous and successful fundraising initiatives.

In 2001, he joined sister Julie in establishing the Toskan Casale Foundation—a family foundation dedicated to supporting and strengthening community-based social programs and organizations. For Frank Toskan, helping the next generation change the world is truly a beautiful thing!

ABOUT VICTOR CASALE

“An idealist is a person who helps other people to be prosperous.” -- Henry Ford (1863 - 1947)

Sometimes the chemistry among a group of people becomes a powerful catalyst for change. This is what happened when Victor Casale, a developing chemist, joined forces with Julie Toskan, Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo in 1985 to form MAC Cosmetics Ltd., one of the cosmetic industry’s biggest success stories. Their shared vision and ethical commitment led them to become cosmetic, corporate and philanthropic revolutionaries.

He arrived as a chemist, but soon Victor Casale was the Managing Director and part owner of MAC. Victor combined his formal education (including degrees from Harvard Business School and the Ivey Business School) with the ideological thrust of MAC to help create a new business blueprint for companies who want to create great products and a better world.

By 1998, MAC had become a $400 million international company and was sold to Estée Lauder Companies Inc. The following year, Victor established INTERACT Management, an angel funding firm which allows him to share his corporate philosophies and give new entrepreneurs a leg-up with early-stage funding and management guidance.

Victor brings his business acumen and philanthropic heart to the Toskan Casale Foundation where his strategic input helps the foundation effectively manage and grow its business. For the scientist who helped build a global cosmetics powerhouse, it’s all about helping others find that perfect chemistry.