Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Montreal for 2023. This vibrant and culturally rich city is a major economic hub in Canada and plays a crucial role in the country's economy. It is the second-largest city in Canada and is known for its diverse industries, including aerospace, information technology, finance, biotechnology, and gaming, among others. Montreal’s strategic location, well-developed infrastructure, and skilled workforce contribute to its economic prominence. This year’s awardees are respected leaders at some of the area’s most well-known organizations including the Canadian National Railway Company, the National Bank of Canada, and Gildan Activeware. We honor each for not only their leadership, innovation, and impact within their industries but also for the inspiration and motivation they give to other women to pursue leadership positions.
Among this year’s awardees is Tuyen Vo, Head of Technology and Innovation Banking at the National Bank of Canada, who has been working with successful entrepreneurs for nearly 20 years and has led her team to impressive revenue and business volume growth since joining the bank in 2019. Awardee Lyne Lazure, Executive Vice President and General Manager at Cofomo, boasts over 20 years of strategic relationship management expertise in the IT sector, making significant contributions to Cofomo's rapid growth and establishing herself as a respected figure in the Canadian IT industry. Also awarded is Patricia Lemoine Smith, Senior Vice President at Teneo, the global CEO advisory firm, who has over 13 years of client-side experience and she is particularly passionate about driving industries towards ecological transition and climate-resilient communities.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Montreal for 2023.
1. Rosie Lucifero
Deputy CEO and Country Manager, AXA Partners Canada
Rosie Lucifero’s career trajectory of over two decades spans key leadership roles in strategic planning, marketing, sales, and business transformation, across diverse market sectors. In 2011 as a senior key account director, she began her tenure at AXA Partners Canada, with subsequent progressive roles in the capacity of chief marketing and digital officer, chief officer strategic partnerships, and chief commercial officer, to rising to the helm as the Deputy CEO and Country Manager in July 2023 - a testament to her work ethic, tenacity, and drive for personal and professional success.
AXA Partners Canada is part of the global transversal AXA Partners Group. As an assistance provider of emergent lifestyle care, building synergistic relationships across major industries, the organization, and its global networks are committed to reaching Canadians in their time of need through innovative and accessible design solutions.
Rosie’s all-encompassing approach relies on fostering a culture of energy, excellence, innovation, and transparency. With an impressive track record of strategy to results, she has been a driving force to grow AXA Partners in the Canadian market. In addition to her professional motivations, Rosie strives to maintain a work-life balance. She is a mother of two, a caregiver, a home chef, and an ardent Europe traveler!
5. Tuyen Vo
Head of Technology and Innovation Banking, National Bank of Canada
Tuyen Vo has been working with successful entrepreneurs for nearly 20 years. She currently heads Technology and Innovation Banking for the National Bank of Canada (NBC). Among the big six banks of systemic importance in the country, National Bank is the only one headquartered in the province of Québec and the only one with a female leader at the helm of its Technology lending practice. Since joining the Bank in 2019, Tuyen has contributed to tripling revenues and quadrupling her business volumes through the successful expansion of her group across the country. Prior to joining National Bank, she held leadership roles within the retail, corporate banking, and credit risk divisions at two major Canadian banks. She is most proud of the strong and engaged teams she’s built along the way.
Tuyen has served on the NBC Inclusion & Diversity Council as the Women segment Lead since 2020. In this capacity, she co-sponsored the launch of an innovative Sponsorship program that earned National Bank the top recognition in the Equity-Diversity-Inclusion category in a prestigious 2023 HR Award. Tuyen also sits on the LPAC of Accelia Capital, a venture capital fund that invests in innovative companies owned or led by women. She’s also involved with many causes aligned with her convictions and expertise, including education, the fight against poverty, and helping immigrants transition to a new country.
Tuyen holds a finance degree from HEC Montréal, including a stint at the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Pô). Having lived on four continents, Tuyen is fluent in three languages and can order a coffee in five more.
6. Leslie Quinton
Vice President of Communications, Ubisoft
Leslie Quinton is Vice President of Communications at global video game and entertainment pioneer, Ubisoft. Leslie has extensive expertise in culture and leadership and has held senior roles in global strategic communications, stakeholder relations, corporate social responsibility, internal communications, CSR, issues, crisis, and brand management. Leslie taught communications and PR at McGill University for eight years and at the Université de Sherbrooke in their Master’s program.
She was formerly the VP of corporate communications at Bombardier Recreational Products and Air Canada, and was an SVP at SNC-Lavalin, a multinational engineering firm. She also spent seven years in global PR agencies where she advised several Fortune 500 clients such as IBM, Dyson, Home Depot, and Marriott, among others.
Leslie is involved in several nonprofit organizations as a board member and as a volunteer and is chair of the board for MedicAlert Canada. She is also a past president of the International Association of Business Communicators Montreal and the International Women’s Forum, Canada. She is a frequent guest speaker and lecturer at business conferences and universities, as well as a guest podcast, web, and radio contributor. Leslie has won multiple awards for communications and philanthropic leadership and studied humanities at Concordia University.
9. Carolena Gordon
Global Senior Partner, Clyde & Co LLP
Based in Montréal, Carolena Gordon is the Global Senior Partner at Clyde & Co and she sits on the firm’s Management Board. In addition to her leadership role, Carolena is a well-respected litigator whose practice involves all aspects of dispute resolution and risk management for a range of insurance and commercial clients, with a special interest in the infrastructure sector.
Over her 30-year career, Carolena has handled complex, large-scale insurance and commercial disputes and has defended clients against major claims. Her practice focuses on professional liability, E&O and D&O liability, and class action defense.
A creative problem-solver, she applies a clear strategic focus from the outset. Her talent and ability to understand her client’s ultimate goals and guide them onto the best path to dispute resolution have earned her the respect of her peers. In fact, they selected Carolena as one of the 2023 Lawyer of the Year award recipients for her work in Insurance Law in Montréal. A fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America and a frequent speaker on industry issues, Carolena is consistently listed and recognized in the yearly editions of various legal directories in the insurance, litigation, professional liability, construction, and infrastructure fields.
12. Jo-Anne Demers
Partner and Canadian Management Board Chair, Clyde & Co LLP
Based in Clyde & Co’s Montréal office, Jo-Anne Demers is a seasoned litigator with over 30 years of experience. She is the chair of the Canadian Board and sits on the firm’s Management Board. Throughout her career, she has regularly appeared before all levels of Québec courts, Disciplinary Councils, and Professional Tribunals and pleaded before the Supreme Court of Canada. Jo-Anne practices commercial litigation with a focus on defending class actions, securities matters, professional liability, construction, and product liability. She represents a wide range of clients and insurers, including large multinational organizations, professional services industries, securities dealers, lawyers, engineers, brokers, and accountants.
Fully bilingual (English and French), Jo-Anne is Governor of the Québec Bar Foundation, as well as a member of the Canadian Bar, the Québec Bar, the Association of Insurance Women of Montréal, and the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS). She is consistently ranked as one of the leading lawyers in the professional liability, litigation, commercial insurance and infrastructure fields and was recognized in 2023 by The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Lexpert, and The Best Lawyers in Canada.
14. Patricia Lemoine Smith
Senior Vice President, Teneo
Patricia Lemoine Smith is a Senior Vice President at Teneo, the global CEO advisory firm. She is committed to Teneo's purpose of partnering with its clients globally to do great things for a better future. In 2021, Patricia transitioned into consulting with over 13 years of experience on the client side in corporate communications, media relations, public affairs, citizen communications, and management. During that first chapter of her career, she was also a spokesperson for large publicly traded companies in regulated sectors such as healthcare, seniors’ housing, and manufacturing.
Patricia is highly regarded for her expertise in crisis management, providing support to senior management and the chair of the board, market positioning with stakeholders, and integrating social and environmental responsibility into corporate strategic planning. She has recently focused on mobilizing government and association stakeholders in industries transforming, such as recycling and reuse, as well as manufacturing, with a particular emphasis on the ecological transition of products and services. She is passionate about finding solutions for a fair energy transition while fostering economic growth through critical minerals, supply chain management, transportation, carbon capture and sequestration, and professional engineering services that contribute to building climate-resilient communities.
In addition to her professional achievements, Patricia has been actively involved in the field of mental health since 2014. She became an advocate for mental health after recovering from an eating disorder as a teenager and young adult. Patricia testified about her personal experience with bulimia at the House of Commons in Ottawa and was selected as one of the spokespersons for the annual Faces of Mental Illness campaign sponsored by Bell Let's Talk, a Canadian mental health initiative. She also served as a spokesperson for the Friends of Bell Let's Talk campaign from 2015 to 2021. She firmly believes that mental health is an integral part of overall well-being and is dedicated to promoting awareness and support for mental health initiatives. She holds a bachelor's degree in civil law from the Université de Montréal and a bachelor's degree in fine arts from Concordia University.
15. Fil D’Urbano
Chief Leadership and Mindfulness Officer, Ardene
After more than three decades as a senior HR Executive for top-tier organizations, Fil D’Urbano is embarking on an inspiring journey to unlock the potential of individuals and organizations through the transformative power of mindfulness and conscious leadership. As a compassionate leader who wears her heart on her sleeve, Fil has earned a remarkable reputation as a change agent, culture-builder, and innovative thinker across some of the most fast-paced industries, ranging from telecommunications to aerospace, and retail. Fil’s unwavering belief in mindfulness and conscious leadership as a key to solving some of today’s most difficult people & culture challenges has led to the development of award-winning programs and groundbreaking culture shifts.
Fil’s mission is driven by a genuine passion to make a positive impact on people’s lives and help them unleash their full potential both at work and in the world. With mindfulness as the cornerstone, Fil’s approach reminds us all to look inward and build self-awareness to cultivate the conscious leadership approach we need to guide our teams through today’s ever-evolving landscape of work and societal pressures, rising uncertainty, and rapid change. By sharing her insights, wisdom, and leadership expertise, Fil is elevating what it means to show up at work, and helping individuals lead with authenticity and compassion.
Today, Fil is bringing the foundational principles of mindfulness and conscious leadership into workplaces across North America, helping businesses foster cultures where success is not only measured by their financial results, but by the profound impact they can have on people’s lives.
View the complete list of awardees.
16. Lyne Lazure
EVP & General Manager, Cofomo
Lyne Lazure, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Montreal at Cofomo, has over 20 years of experience in strategic relationship management, particularly in the IT field. She holds a Bachelor of Administration degree with a specialization in finance and has completed the Director Development Program and obtained the ICD.D designation. An integral part of Cofomo's rapid growth over the past 20 years, Lyne's exceptional background, rich in experiences and learnings, has allowed her to carve out an enviable place for herself both within the organization and in the Canadian IT industry.
Not only does she participate in the establishment and enhancement of Cofomo's strategic vision, but Lyne also contributes significantly to the achievement of financial objectives and daily pursues the unique, value-added approach she has put in place to accurately determine client needs while assuring them of the best solutions and practices in the industry. Responsible for the operations of Cofomo's Montreal business unit, Lyne works closely with the president and the management team. She oversees the implementation of innovative strategies and approaches to maintain the organization's industry-leading position and continue its impressive growth (17% annualized revenue growth).
Over the years, Lyne has seen Cofomo grow from 15 to over 2,800 employees - primarily through organic growth. Now ranked 55th among Les Affaires' Top 500 and a leader in the IT and business consulting industry, Cofomo offers its clients a diversity of IT experts to achieve their digital transformation through the deployment of innovation, cloud computing, intelligence, strategy, security, and agility solutions.
23. Stéphanie Lachance
Partner & Head of Sustainable Investment, Fiera Comox
Stéphanie Lachance is Partner and Head of Sustainable Investment at Fiera Comox, a global investment manager that provides innovative investment solutions to a wide range of investors through four distinct global private investment strategies: Agriculture, Timberland, Private Equity, and Private Credit. In her role, she namely leads Fiera Comox’s sustainability strategy and plays a key role in the organization’s investment strategy in ensuring that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors are integrated with investment decisions across all investment strategies.
Before joining Fiera Comox in 2022, Stéphanie spent 15 years at PSP Investments where she was most recently a managing director and head of responsible investment. She played a central role in the development of PSP Investments’ responsible investment strategy and led the Responsible Investment group of PSP Investments.
A lawyer with a strong background in corporate governance, responsible investment, securities law, and regulations, Stéphanie was providing legal advice to public issuers, stock exchanges, and securities regulators before joining PSP Investments. She namely held senior positions at Québecor Media, Autorité des marchés financiers, Toronto Stock Exchange and Montréal Exchange. Stéphanie holds a law degree from the Université de Montréal and is a member of the Quebec Bar. She is a holder of the Institute of Corporate Directors Director designation, serves on the board of ADM Aéroports de Montréal and TSX Trust, and is a member of the Investment Committee of the Canadian Medical Protective. Stéphanie is an instructor at the Institute of Corporate Directors for the sustainability module. She is also the co-author of The Origins of ESG in Pensions: Strategies and Outcomes, published by Wharton University Pension Research Council in 2021.
24. Bhoomi Pathak
Chief Operating Officer, Mirasee
Bhoomi Pathak is the Chief Operating Officer of Mirasee. Mirasee helps expertise-based entrepreneurs grow their services-based businesses through online courses and business coaching. After a career in management consulting working with Fortune 500 companies, Bhoomi joined Mirasee in 2013 and was responsible for putting in place structures, processes, and execution capabilities that enabled us to grow aggressively. She continues to build the success team and the infrastructure to increase our scale and impact in serving our community of expertise-based entrepreneurs.
Previously, Pathak was a manager at Deloitte Consulting and before that a consultant at Accenture. Earlier in her career she worked with Bombardier Aerospace as a financial analyst. She earned an MBA from Ivey Business School at Western University and an undergraduate degree in accounting from Concordia University. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her two young kids and business partner/husband Danny Iny, entertaining friends and family, and traveling to interesting places.
26. Virginie Bussières
Vice President of Communications, Marketing and Government Relations, Pyrowave
Mrs. Virginie Bussières is a dynamic force in the realm of sustainable innovation and communication. As the Vice President of Communications, Marketing, and Government Relations at Pyrowave, she contributes to paving the way to a new circular economy by launching initiatives that offer sustainable solutions for the next generation of low-carbon materials, with a particular focus on plastics' circularity.
Fuelled by a deep passion for environmental innovation, Bussières puts her skills to the service of rallying stakeholders together, in the sectors of recycling, electrification, and decarbonization. She strongly believes that collaboration and collective action are essential to achieving high-impact results.
In a complex and ever-evolving world, Bussières recognizes that public relations offer a privileged pathway for open dialogue and mutual understanding. She embraces the challenge of deploying engaging strategies within highly regulated environments, ensuring that business objectives align with the creation of value for local and international communities.
Mrs. Bussières also shares her expertise as a university lecturer in Public Relations and Stakeholder Engagement. Additionally, she serves as a dedicated Board Member of an Academic Foundation focused on educational innovation, further exemplifying her commitment to education and advancing sustainable practices.
27. Karen Groom
Founder & CEO, Groom & Associates
Karen Groom, the Founder and CEO of Groom & Associates, has achieved remarkable success as an entrepreneur. As one of Canada's foremost staffing firms, Groom & Associates, established in 1996 and spearheaded by a female leader, has experienced exponential growth from its humble beginnings to becoming a nationally recognized agency. Specializing in STEM sector placements, the firm has effectively collaborated with numerous Canadian companies, forming valuable partnerships at local and national levels.
Karen firmly believes that adaptability and forward-thinking are crucial attributes for any successful leader. She attributes the remarkable growth of her company to its unwavering commitment to understanding and responding to evolving workplace trends, enabling them to provide exceptional service to their clients. With an extensive background of over 30 years in human resources and recruitment, Karen emphasizes the importance of staying up-to-date with current industry trends to maintain a competitive edge.
In addition to her role as CEO, Karen actively serves as a mentor for aspiring female entrepreneurs. She previously held the position of president at Community Shares and currently contributes to the Capital Campaign for the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence. Karen's dedication to supporting and empowering others extends beyond her professional endeavors, making her a respected figure within her community.
31. Andrea Roy
Vice President of Product, Werkliv
After studying industrial design at the renowned Ontario College of Art & Design University, Andrea Roy quickly earned both international and national acclaim for her forward-thinking sense of design. In the years following, she successfully led international product launches for well-known, medium to large companies. Currently, she holds the position of Vice President of Product at Werkliv, where her contribution to their visionary “inside-out” approach is invaluable. By not only aligning the company vision through product development, procurement, branding, and interior design, she ensures that the Werkliv spirit lives at every touchpoint.
34. Celine Cohen
Head of Marketing, Tiny Tags
Celine Cohen is a master storyteller who looks at both traditional and innovative methods to uncover a brand's true insights to develop a relevant and effective marketing strategy that drives sales and delights customers. Benefiting from an extensive career in world-class advertising agencies working across a variety of industries, she is an expert in marketing principles and tools to make an impact. A citizen of the world having lived and worked in NYC, London, Nice, and Montreal, she also holds a unique appreciation for cultural differences and how best to embrace them.
For the last 10 years, Celine has focused her expertise on the "mom market", through her own experience of becoming a mom, she founded a line of high-end nursing clothes which was quickly hailed a success by Fast Company and picked up for distribution by Nordstrom. Following her entrepreneurial breakthrough she turned her attention to the celeb-favorite brand of fine personalized jewelry for moms, Tiny Tags. As Head of Marketing and Managing Board Member, she has spent the last 3+ years building the marketing department, launching new collaborations, and continuously increasing the brand's YoY revenue by over 40%. She lives in Montreal with her husband, two boys, and dog.
View the complete list of awardees.
35. Monielle Maio
CEO, Vendorup
Monielle Maio, a beacon of tenacious leadership in Montreal's tech and event landscape, has etched her name through a transformative 15-year career. As CEO of Vendorup, an event tech company set to revolutionize the event industry, she weaves innovation and vision into her work. Yet, Maio's professional pursuits aren't confined to a single role. She simultaneously contributes as a Senior Account Manager at MCI Canada and a team member at in-House, displaying a professional versatility that is as inspiring as it is impressive.
Maio's reputation as a seasoned event manager is underscored by her history with world-renowned event companies, where her knack for creating memorable attendee experiences has been continuously proven wherever she goes. Leveraging her MBA in project management, she has executed strategic roles in Vendorup, using technology to foster high-performing teams and streamline operations. Adding to her repertoire, her stint as operations manager at VC consultancy firm, Astel Ventures, fortified her skills in aiding early-stage founders and refining investor communication strategies.
Beyond her illustrious roles, Maio's leadership journey is characterized by her unyielding adaptability and desire for new challenges. Embracing agile and scrum methodologies, she has introduced these game-changing strategies to the event industry. As she navigates the tumultuous waters of this industry, Maio is not just leading the charge, but also charting new paths for future leaders. Her journey stands as a beacon for aspiring women leaders, demonstrating that passion, de
37. Myriam Boutin
Architect & Principal Director of Private Markets, Lemay
Myriam Boutin has been working in the field of architecture since 1995. She brings a vast experience of the commercial environment and an in-depth understanding of retail branding and user experience. She is responsible for connecting the interdisciplinary teams and complementing the mixed-use project team with strategic insights.
Front-facing with retailers for 22 years, her list of loyal clients can be attributed to her warm personality and strong communication and leadership skills. An excellent leader, she has the ability to clarify goals and streamline project flow. Her ability to grasp the big picture and anticipate problems allows her to achieve client objectives and provide leadership to all team members.
Myriam Boutin's adaptive approach allows her to adapt to the specific requirements and needs of various projects. Her analytical mind and her judgment abilities allow her to have an excellent global vision on various situations and thus, to maximize the efficiency of the work to be accomplished.
39. Julie Quenneville
President & CEO, UHN Foundation
Julie Quenneville’s career began in the public domain, first as a journalist and, in 2003, as associate chief of staff to Philippe Couillard, then minister of health and social services of Quebec. Working alongside Minister Couillard, Quenneville was responsible for several important health issues. She accepted a management role at the MUHC in 2005. Over the next decade, she took on increasingly senior positions including chief of strategic planning and in 2008, director of development and marketing. Quenneville was appointed President of the MUHC Foundation in 2015. Since assuming the leadership, she spearheaded a transformation of the charitable organization resulting in a 350% increase in annual revenue, and a growth of the donor community by more than 2,500%. Her commitment to raising the standards of care and research through fundraising is inspiring.
In August, she became the Chief Executive Officer of the University Health Network Foundation (UHN) Foundation. She is a Chair of the national policy community, the Banff Forum. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the 2024 President’s Cup, the international PGA tournament which will be played at Royal Montreal Golf Club. She previously served on the Boards of the University Club of Montreal, the West Island Health Centre now CIUSS), the Montrealer newspaper, and Cheerleading Quebec.
Her vast knowledge of philanthropy, business, and government relations has made her a sought-after speaker on multiple platforms. Whether as a commentator, panelist, or media expert, Julie communicates her message dynamically and engagingly. She is a change agent, passionate about the need for innovative research as a global responsibility. As someone who has excelled in her field, Julie offers her expertise to business, corporate, community, health care, and government leaders. She is a proud mentor, particularly passionate about empowering young women. Julie has been named a TOP 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada.
40. Lisa Goulet
President & Co-Owner, Aiguisatek
Lisa Goulet is a visionary leader and inspiring female figure in Montreal's business landscape. She currently holds the position of CEO at Aiguisatek, a reputable tooling and sharpening company located in Delson, Quebec. With a solid career spanning over two decades in the healthcare industry, Lisa’s journey stands as a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence.
Her master's degree in applied sciences and specialty in administration at McGill University endowed her with strategic decision-making and problem-solving capabilities. Since 1997, she has held various management and leadership roles, spearheaded the development of intra-hospital organ and tissue donation programs, and collaborated with numerous stakeholders in federal and provincial government agencies.
In 2010, Lisa transitioned to the industrial sector and took the helm of Aiguisatek, a family-owned company founded by her father over three decades ago. Her dedication to research, quality, and innovation helped position the company as an industry leader across Quebec and beyond. In just a few years, she steered its growth and propelled it to new heights by upgrading to a state-of-the-art facility, investing in cutting-edge technology, and successfully diversifying into PCD cutting tools. By prioritizing customer service, operational efficiency, and innovation, Lisa has positioned Aiguisatek as a trusted provider of high-performance tools. Lisa's leadership has fostered an environment of excellence, where service, quality, consistency, and innovation are paramount.
41. Poonam Madan
Director of Global Sustainability, Gildan
Poonam Madan is the Director of Global Sustainability at Gildan Activewear Inc., where she is responsible for developing and implementing enterprise-wide sustainability strategies that support corporate performance. Poonam draws on her authentic leadership style, backed by sound knowledge gained from over 20 years of experience in energy, mining, power, and the apparel sectors. She is known as a transformational leader that is able to bring her energy and passion for sustainability to bring various stakeholders together and build deep connections in order to drive innovation with stakeholders across the organization and with external stakeholders like investors, governments, NGOs, and the community.
Since joining Gildan, Poonam supported the development and implementation of the company’s Next Generation ESG Strategy, which includes 10 ambitious targets focused on climate, energy, and water; circularity; gender parity and health and safety; community investments; and ESG disclosures elevating and enhancing the company's ESG performance as a global leader. In her current role, she is strongly supported by her leadership team, allowing her to bring her full self to Gildan enabling her to drive value and implement change across the organization. She is immensely grateful for the incredible encouragement and support of numerous managers, mentors, colleagues, friends, and most importantly, her family, who continue to offer support, have been a strong ally and/or a sponsor, and have helped her to drive a positive impact as a leader.
43. Quyn Pham
Director of Marketing & Communications, Jarislowsky Fraser Limited
Quyn Pham is the Director of Marketing & Communications at Jarislowsky Fraser, the renowned Montreal-based investment management firm that serves institutional and high-net-worth investors across Canada and internationally. She leads strategic marketing planning and execution, ensuring that marketing initiatives directly support corporate goals. In her role, she leads branding, advertising/media, sponsorships and events, web, content creation, and production. She is also responsible for all corporate and client communications, as well as client reporting. As one of the women leaders at Jarislowsky Fraser, she champions diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) as well as employee engagement, as part of her role on the firm’s DEI Council and chair of the Employee Giving Campaign.
Quyn has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and client services within the financial services and investment industry. She was previously a senior director at RBC Global Asset Management where she was responsible for branding, advertising, and creative services, as well as leading the marketing team at RBC GAM US. Prior to that, she was a director of communications and web at CIBC Asset Management.
Quyn is involved in the community through her volunteering. She is passionate about women’s causes and is currently a board member of Dress for Success Montreal, an organization whose main purpose is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and development tools to help women thrive.
44. Annabelle Beauchamp
Design & Brand Director, NEUF Architects
Annabelle Beauchamp, NEUF’s Design and Brand Director, holds a post-professional master’s degree from McGill University in the history and theory of architecture. Very early in her career, her interest in representation and language led her to develop a hybrid approach at the intersection of design and architecture. Annabelle has worked for various firms developing concepts and imagery, as well as with artists, photographers, filmmakers, painters, sculptors, and scenographers—both locally and abroad—all of which contributed to forging her experience in print and digital media.
Within the firm, which she joined in 2006, Annabelle regularly works with the various departments on all project phases, from ideation to finish selection. One of her most notable contributions was to the design process for the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), for which she ensured the consistency of the project’s visual identity. Annabelle also supervises the development of NEUF’s brand image through her coordination of the communications and marketing team. Most recently, she helmed the firm’s fiftieth-anniversary campaign, known as NEUF50. She was the project director and designer of the firm’s award-winning retrospective book, Un demi-siècle et toujours NEUF / Half a Century of Building Storeys.
45. Marianne Perron
Senior Director of the Artistic Sector, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal
After completing her studies in violin performance at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, Marianne Perron went on to earn a master’s degree in musicology from the Université de Montréal and a graduate diploma in arts management from the École des Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC) Montréal. She taught violin and musical æsthetics for many years before opportunities in the artistic department of the Orchestre national de Lyon and the Auditorium de Lyon brought her to France in 1997. She returned to Canada in 1999 to join the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) as head of education and contemporary music. She was appointed associate director of music programming in 2008, and director of music programming in 2010.
Since 2021, Marianne Perron has served as Senior Director of the Artistic Sector of the OSM. In this capacity, she designs the orchestra’s musical programming in collaboration with its music director Rafael Payare, takes part in the organization’s strategic planning, and designs special concerts to broaden audiences and increase the orchestra’s community presence and outreach. She manages the six departments of the Artistic Sector including Music Programming; Artistic Operations; Artistic Projects; Production; Education; and Musicians.
View the complete list of awardees.
46. Victoria Di Valerio
Creative Director of Design, No Fixed Address Inc.
Victoria Di Valerio is a passionate Creative Director with an eye for beautiful design and a penchant for solving complex business problems. She currently leads the design work at No Fixed Address Inc., and her background in 360° art direction has shown proven success across both traditional and digital platforms.
Victoria has worked in highly regarded agencies from Montreal to Toronto, such as Publicis, Bzoing, Gale Partners, and SGM. She has worked on everything from websites, apps, and emails to brand redesigns, packaging, and building visual identities from scratch. She has worked on brands from big to small, such as Diageo, Bell Media, Polar Bears International, Insurance Store, NFL Canada, Invisalign, BMW, Godiva, Allstate, Genting World Resorts Malaysia, Complexe Desjardins, First Capital Realty.
47. Lynne McVey
CEO, Santé Monde
Lynne McVey is the CEO of Santé Monde, a highly credible non-government organization in global health and international co-development affiliated with Laval University and funded primarily through Global Affairs Canada and the World Bank. The organization currently leads funded projects in Sub-Saharan Africa and Haïti with a focus on primary health care prevention, the health of women and girls, and the support of health systems in low-income and developing countries.
A Fellow of the Wharton Business School Management Education for Nurses Program, McVey has occupied president and CEO positions in Canada’s publicly funded healthcare system for over 8 years. At the Douglas Mental Health University Institute as CEO and then leading a large regional health system throughout the pandemic, she has demonstrated her ability to transform teams at all levels to maintain responsiveness and meet operational challenges head-on. Born connector and strategic leader with a diplomatic and humanistic nature, McVey has received recognition from her peers for her leadership in the form of publications in peer-reviewed journals where her students are always the first author.
Lynne McVey is an RN with the Canadian Nurses Association & the Order of Nurses of Quebec. As Developer of Executive Education for Nurses at McGill University, she is currently leading an initiative designed to revitalize healthcare through preparing nurses for their promotion to CEO positions in healthcare thus bringing proportional representation of the nursing profession to decision-making tables of healthcare. Through online education, mentorship, executive coaching, and the creation of a nationwide database tracking nurses who are appointed to CEO positions or the highest levels of decision-making in government, she mentors nurses to achieve their career goals. In addition, McVey believes strongly and is investing her leadership strength towards the goal of having health care systems internationally that are agile and that strive to attain the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right of every human being.
49. Shaheen Shariff
Principal Investigator and Director, iMPACTS
Shaheen Shariff is a James McGill Professor at McGill University. Over the last 20 years at McGill, Professor Shariff has brought together academia and private industry from law, the arts, and social media to collaborate on addressing multi-sector and multi-disciplinary responses to cyberbullying and sexual violence in workplaces, universities, and schools through policy and practice, working with Quebec's provincial ministries and serving as an expert witness to the Federal Senate and Parliamentary legislative committees. Her numerous funded research projects have culminated in the iMPACTS Project on sexual violence that addresses three important domains including Law and Policy, Arts, Activism and Popular Culture, and News and Social Media.
Shariff has sole-authored 7 books and has recently published Interrupting Sexual Violence: The Power of Law, Education and Media as Series Editor with Peter Lang. She has given over 100 national and international keynotes, panel presentations, and workshops on cyberbullying and sexual violence including to judges, prosecutors, and legal bar associations. She was invited to speak at the United Nations Conference on Cyberhate, chaired by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon.
Shariff was the recipient of the Economic Empowerment of Women award from The International Alliance of Women, and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her contributions to policy in Canada. She has supported, sponsored, and mentored numerous young women in various fields of education and is working to provide improved access to young women whose careers are affected by political situations beyond their control. Over the span of her 20 years of international and local work, she has been interviewed regularly by media on Quebec, national, and international radio and television networks including the CBC, The Current, The National, as well as print media interviews. In 2025, Shariff will bring to Montreal her partners, co-investigators, students, and artists to a grand finale culminating in the work of iMPACTS over the last 8 years that will include art exhibits, video documentaries, panels, keynotes, and excerpts from theatre performances developed under iMPACTS.
50. Juhi Sohani
Co-Founder & Director, Imagining an Otherwise
Juhi Sohani is the Co-Founder and Director of Systems Change + Integrative Design at Imagining an Otherwise, a social change consultancy focused on equipping organizations to build resilient and sustainable structural frameworks; change culture in a way that holds people at its heart; and achieve their goals with joy, collaboration, and curiosity.
With a background in strategic communications and change management, Juhi has facilitated narrative development at organizations such as Amnesty International, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and Community Knowledge Exchange. An experienced grassroots organizer and campaigner, she has also told stories for various social movements and continues to pursue justice in her community and beyond. As a trainer with the hope-based communications collective, she collaborates with expert communicators from around the globe to craft innovative messages and make the case for the world people want to see. Juhi’s practice has grown to veer away from conventional approaches to communication as she strives to re-root herself in the stories and connection to the community that seeded her passions in the first place. She is intrigued by how we can decolonize our relationships to storytelling, decentralize our approaches to communication, and amplify the voices of those who are at the heart of the work we do.
View the complete list of awardees.