Debbie Zakaib Wikipedia, Biography, Age, Cause of Death, Husband, Net Worth, Career, Family

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Debbie Zakaib was a prominent figure in the business and cultural sectors of Quebec, best known for her leadership in the province’s fashion and gastronomy industries. She served as the Executive Director of mmode (the Metropolitan Fashion Cluster), where she was instrumental in uniting various pillars of the industry—including creators, manufacturers, and retailers—to stimulate growth and improve competitiveness on an international scale. Later in her career, she applied her expertise to the culinary world as the Executive Director of La Table Ronde, the collective for Quebec’s gastronomy sector.

Professionally, Zakaib had a strong background in marketing and brand development. She held a master’s degree in marketing from HEC Montréal and built an impressive resume working with major global corporations such as L’Oréal, Coca-Cola, and Johnson & Johnson. Her transition into the non-profit and cultural sectors was marked by a commitment to promoting local talent. She was a vocal advocate for Montreal designers and initiated campaigns like #mtlstyle to encourage consumers to buy local and support the regional economy.

On a personal level, Debbie Zakaib was married to Alexandre Taillefer, a well-known Quebec businessman and media personality. The couple faced a significant public tragedy in 2015 with the loss of their son, Thomas. despite this personal heartbreak, Zakaib was noted for her resilience and continued professional dedication. She was also deeply involved in the arts community, sitting on the board of directors for the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal and helping organize its annual fundraising ball.

Debbie Zakaib passed away in December 2025. Her death was met with tributes from across Quebec’s business and cultural communities, remembering her as a passionate champion for the province’s creative industries and a dedicated philanthropist who worked tirelessly to elevate Montreal’s status as a capital of style and gastronomy.

Quick Facts

Feature	Detail
Full Name	Debbie Zakaib
Place of Residence	Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Nationality	Canadian
Education	Master’s in Marketing, HEC Montréal
Best Known For	Executive Director of mmode & La Table Ronde
Spouse	Alexandre Taillefer (Businessman & Media Personality)
Children	Thomas Taillefer (Deceased, 2015)
Date of Death	December 11, 2025
Cause of Death	Cancer
Key Achievements	Bringing the Michelin Guide to Quebec; Launching the #mtlstyle campaign

Early Life and Education

While specific details regarding Debbie Zakaib’s birth date and childhood home are not publicly disclosed, her connection to Montreal was evident throughout her life. She possessed a deep-rooted passion for the city’s cultural vibrancy, which would later fuel her professional endeavors.

Zakaib was highly educated, laying the groundwork for her strategic career at HEC Montréal, one of Canada’s leading business schools. She earned a Master’s degree in Marketing, with a thesis focused specifically on fashion marketing in Quebec.

Professional Career

Debbie Zakaib’s career spanned over three decades, evolving from corporate marketing to non-profit leadership. Her professional journey is characterized by a shift from managing global brands to championing local identity.

Corporate Beginnings

Before becoming a public advocate for Quebec industries, Zakaib built a formidable resume in the private sector. She spent over a decade working with major multinational corporations, including:

L’Oréal
Coca-Cola
Johnson & Johnson

In these roles, she honed her expertise in brand development and marketing management, learning the intricacies of global commerce which she would later adapt to support local businesses.

Leading the Fashion Industry (mmode)

In November 2015, Zakaib was appointed as the Executive Director of mmode, the Metropolitan Fashion Cluster. This was a critical time for Quebec’s fashion industry, which was facing stiff competition from international fast-fashion retailers.

Unifying the Sector: Zakaib was tasked with uniting the “four pillars” of the industry: creators, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.
#mtlstyle Campaign: She spearheaded initiatives to rebrand Montreal fashion, launching campaigns like #mtlstyle to encourage consumers to buy local and recognize the quality of homegrown designers.
Strategic Growth: Under her leadership, mmode secured significant public and private funding to improve workforce training and support the digital transformation of local fashion houses.

Elevating Quebec Gastronomy (La Table Ronde)

In 2023, Zakaib took on a new challenge as the Executive Director of La Table Ronde, a collective representing Quebec’s gastronomy sector. Bringing her marketing acumen to the culinary world, she achieved monumental success in a short period.

The Michelin Guide: One of her crowning achievements was leading the strategic efforts to bring the prestigious Michelin Guide to Quebec, a move designed to put the province’s restaurants on the global culinary map.
Women in Leadership: Committed to equity, she launched the “Women in Leadership Accelerator” within the gastronomy sector to support female chefs and restaurateurs.
Economic Driver: She positioned gastronomy not just as a cultural asset, but as a key economic and tourism driver for the province.

Philanthropy and Board Memberships

Debbie Zakaib was a tireless volunteer and a staple of Montreal’s art scene. She believed that art and culture were essential to the community’s health.

Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC): Zakaib served on the board of directors for the MAC Foundation. She was particularly famous for chairing the MAC Ball organizing committee for ten years. Under her guidance, the ball became one of the most coveted and successful fundraising events in Montreal, known for its glamour and significant contributions to the museum’s budget.
Community Engagement: She was also involved with the Foire d’art contemporain de Saint-Lambert, acting as a spokesperson and organizer to make contemporary art accessible to a wider audience.

Personal Life

Marriage to Alexandre Taillefer

Debbie Zakaib was married to Alexandre Taillefer, a high-profile Quebec entrepreneur, investor (known for Dans l’œil du dragon), and managing partner of XPND Capital. The couple was considered a power duo in Quebec’s business landscape, frequently photographed together at cultural galas and charity events. Their relationship was marked by mutual professional support and a shared commitment to philanthropy.

The Tragedy of Thomas

In December 2015, the couple faced an unimaginable tragedy with the loss of their 14-year-old son, Thomas Taillefer. His death was a pivotal moment for the family and sparked a province-wide conversation about youth mental health. Despite the profound grief, Zakaib displayed immense resilience. In interviews, she mentioned that throwing herself into her work at mmode (which she had joined just prior to Thomas’s death) helped her navigate the darkness, stating she chose to “feed off the energy” of the creative community.

Death and Legacy

Debbie Zakaib passed away on December 11, 2025, following a short but difficult battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family.

Her death was announced by La Table Ronde and confirmed by her husband. Tributes immediately poured in from across the province:

Valérie Plante (Mayor of Montreal) described her as an “inspiring leader” and a “fervent ambassador of Quebec talent.”
The Business Community remembered her as a “force of nature” and a “bulldozer” who could break down barriers to help local businesses thrive.

Net Worth

Debbie Zakaib’s personal net worth was not publicly disclosed. However, as a successful executive with a career spanning top-tier global corporations and leadership roles in major industrial clusters, she earned a significant income. Additionally, her husband Alexandre Taillefer is a wealthy venture capitalist.

Conclusion

Debbie Zakaib was far more than an executive; she was a champion for the soul of Quebec. By bridging the gap between commerce and culture, she ensured that Montreal’s designers and chefs received the recognition they deserved on the world stage. Her ability to navigate corporate boardrooms and creative studios with equal ease made her a unique asset to the province. Though her life was touched by tragedy, her response was always one of creation and connection, leaving a brighter, more stylish, and delicious Quebec in her wake.