Board of directors
François Bouilhac
Chairman of the Board of Directors, RIIE/Expansion Québec
François Bouilhac
Chairman of the Board of Directors, RIIE/Expansion Québec
François Bouilhac is President of COMREL International, an international affairs consulting firm. During his career, he has held a number of key positions in the public and private sectors in France and Québec. After studying in international affairs in both France and at HEC Montréal, he started his professional career at the Chambre de Commerce de Rouen. He then served as Common Market sales manager for a division of Groupe Saint-Gobain before joining the Québec public service.
From that point on, he devoted his career to Québec’s international development. After serving as the Québec Delegate in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, he was appointed assistant deputy minister – a position he held for ten years, in a number of Québec government departments. In this role, he was responsible for the international activities of several Premiers. Mr. Bouilhac currently sits on the boards of directors of two NPO’s. He is a Knight of the Ordre National du Mérite de France.
François Bouilhac is President of COMREL International, an international affairs consulting firm. During his career, he has held a number of key positions in the public and private sectors in France and Québec. After studying in international affairs in both France and at HEC Montréal, he started his professional career at the Chambre de Commerce de Rouen. He then served as Common Market sales manager for a division of Groupe Saint-Gobain before joining the Québec public service.
From that point on, he devoted his career to Québec’s international development. After serving as the Québec Delegate in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, he was appointed assistant deputy minister – a position he held for ten years, in a number of Québec government departments. In this role, he was responsible for the international activities of several Premiers. Mr. Bouilhac currently sits on the boards of directors of two NPO’s. He is a Knight of the Ordre National du Mérite de France.
Jean Séguin
Assistant Deputy Minister – External Trade – Government of Québec
Jean Séguin
Assistant Deputy Minister – External Trade – Government of Québec
Following his four years as Assistant Deputy Minister for Metropolitan Affairs at the Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l’Occupation du territoire, Mr. Jean Séguin currently holds the role of Assistant Deputy Minister for International Trade at the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et des Exportations. He possesses years of experience in public finance and international trade. In past years, he was also an economic advisor to Quebec’s minister of Finance (2004-2005), the Mayor of Montréal (2003-200) and the president of the Quebec Chamber of Commerce (2003). Mr. Jean Séguin holds a Master of International Economics from Suffolk University of Boston and has a proven track record for success in international trade and commerce, including helping businesses establish themselves outside Québec.
Following his four years as Assistant Deputy Minister for Metropolitan Affairs at the Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l’Occupation du territoire, Mr. Jean Séguin currently holds the role of Assistant Deputy Minister for International Trade at the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et des Exportations. He possesses years of experience in public finance and international trade. In past years, he was also an economic advisor to Quebec’s minister of Finance (2004-2005), the Mayor of Montréal (2003-200) and the president of the Quebec Chamber of Commerce (2003). Mr. Jean Séguin holds a Master of International Economics from Suffolk University of Boston and has a proven track record for success in international trade and commerce, including helping businesses establish themselves outside Québec.
MICHEL LAFLEUR
Assistant Deputy Minister for Bilateral Affairs
MICHEL LAFLEUR
Assistant Deputy Minister for Bilateral Affairs
Michel Lafleur has been head of the Sous-ministériat aux affaires bilatérales since October 14, 2014. Holder of an Economics degree from Université de Sherbrooke, he has worked in the public sector for over 30 years, 25 of which were spent on international dossiers. During this time, he has, among other posts, served as Director of the Department of Economic Affairs at the Québec Delegations in Boston and Brussels. He also served as Chargé d’Affaires and Economic Advisor at the Quebec Delegation in Chicago. Following his return to Québec, he held the position of Director of International Affairs, of Intergovernmental Relations and of the Secretariat for Cultural Diversity of the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications for over six years. He returned to the Ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie in October 2013 as Director General for Europe, Africa and the Middle East until being promoted to Assistant Deputy Minister of Bilateral Affairs.
Michel Lafleur has been head of the Sous-ministériat aux affaires bilatérales since October 14, 2014. Holder of an Economics degree from Université de Sherbrooke, he has worked in the public sector for over 30 years, 25 of which were spent on international dossiers. During this time, he has, among other posts, served as Director of the Department of Economic Affairs at the Québec Delegations in Boston and Brussels. He also served as Chargé d’Affaires and Economic Advisor at the Quebec Delegation in Chicago. Following his return to Québec, he held the position of Director of International Affairs, of Intergovernmental Relations and of the Secretariat for Cultural Diversity of the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications for over six years. He returned to the Ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie in October 2013 as Director General for Europe, Africa and the Middle East until being promoted to Assistant Deputy Minister of Bilateral Affairs.
SUZANNE M. BENOÎT
President of Aéro Montréal, the aerospace cluster
SUZANNE M. BENOÎT
President of Aéro Montréal, the aerospace cluster
Suzanne M. Benoît has extensive experience in industrial development and government relations gained through her work with governments at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. She has been President of Aéro Montréal, the aerospace cluster, since its foundation in August 2006. Previously, she was the founding President and CEO of Longueuil Economic Development (DEL) and led the Foreign Investment team while Director of Investissement Québec’s Americas Division. She held various senior executive positions with Hydro-Québec in the field of Investment Promotion, Technology Commercialization and Government and Institutional Relations. She began her career in the federal public service in Ottawa and held various management positions in Foreign Affairs and Industry Canada, where she was responsible for international industrial cooperation and the marketing of defence products in Europe and Asia. Ms. Benoît is very active in the field of economic development both at the national and international level. She also serves on many boards, namely the executive committee and board of directors of the greener aircraft catalyst project (SA2GE), Sous-traitance industrielle Québec (STIQ), the Conseil Emploi Métropole, the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec (CRIAQ), and the Comité sectoriel de la main-d’œuvre en aérospatiale (CAMAQ). Ms. Benoît holds a MBA from the University of Ottawa. In 2014, she completed corporate director training at McGill University as part of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) program.
Suzanne M. Benoît has extensive experience in industrial development and government relations gained through her work with governments at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. She has been President of Aéro Montréal, the aerospace cluster, since its foundation in August 2006. Previously, she was the founding President and CEO of Longueuil Economic Development (DEL) and led the Foreign Investment team while Director of Investissement Québec’s Americas Division. She held various senior executive positions with Hydro-Québec in the field of Investment Promotion, Technology Commercialization and Government and Institutional Relations. She began her career in the federal public service in Ottawa and held various management positions in Foreign Affairs and Industry Canada, where she was responsible for international industrial cooperation and the marketing of defence products in Europe and Asia. Ms. Benoît is very active in the field of economic development both at the national and international level. She also serves on many boards, namely the executive committee and board of directors of the greener aircraft catalyst project (SA2GE), Sous-traitance industrielle Québec (STIQ), the Conseil Emploi Métropole, the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec (CRIAQ), and the Comité sectoriel de la main-d’œuvre en aérospatiale (CAMAQ). Ms. Benoît holds a MBA from the University of Ottawa. In 2014, she completed corporate director training at McGill University as part of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) program.
Christine Beaubien
Vice President, Investment Management, Anges Québec
Christine Beaubien
Vice President, Investment Management, Anges Québec
An entrepreneur and manager, Christine Beaubien possesses nearly 30 years of experience in IT, finance and international affairs. She is Vice President of Investment Management at Anges Québec, a network of private investors who identify, finance and support innovative companies with strong potential. She previously held key positions with a number of companies, including the Société générale de financement du Québec (SGF), Versus Informatique (an e-commerce IT company she co-owned), Bombardier Capital, Export Development Canada (EDC), the Ministère des affaires internationales du Québec, Banque Paribas in Paris and Desjardins.
In addition to holding a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Sherbrooke University and an MBA from HEC, Ms. Beaubien is a Certified Director (ICD.D) from the Institute of Corporate Directors (McGill-Rotman). She sits on the boards of Héma-Québec (observer), the MiQro Innovation Collaborative Centre (C2MI) and Oxfam-Québec.
An entrepreneur and manager, Christine Beaubien possesses nearly 30 years of experience in IT, finance and international affairs. She is Vice President of Investment Management at Anges Québec, a network of private investors who identify, finance and support innovative companies with strong potential. She previously held key positions with a number of companies, including the Société générale de financement du Québec (SGF), Versus Informatique (an e-commerce IT company she co-owned), Bombardier Capital, Export Development Canada (EDC), the Ministère des affaires internationales du Québec, Banque Paribas in Paris and Desjardins.
In addition to holding a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Sherbrooke University and an MBA from HEC, Ms. Beaubien is a Certified Director (ICD.D) from the Institute of Corporate Directors (McGill-Rotman). She sits on the boards of Héma-Québec (observer), the MiQro Innovation Collaborative Centre (C2MI) and Oxfam-Québec.
Nicole Martel
CEO of Quebec Technology Association
Nicole Martel
CEO of Quebec Technology Association
President and CEO of the Quebec Technology Association (AQT ) since 2002, Ms. Martel, a woman gifted with an undeniable charisma, has throughout her career actively participated in the development of the business network in information and communication technologies (ICTs ) in Quebec , particularly in the company she founded. With an innate talent for business development, she seizes the best growth opportunities as they arise, while responding to changing business needs. The dynamic environment she created has led her to develop major events and services in the ICT sector. Nicole Martel serves on numerous boards, including that of TECNA, a group composed of fifty leaders of North American associations technologies. Active member of several IT associations , she was co-chairing the consolidation of Canadian ICT associations. In 2013, she was one of the eight key women in the world of technology in Quebec according to the magazine » Premières en affaires « .
President and CEO of the Quebec Technology Association (AQT ) since 2002, Ms. Martel, a woman gifted with an undeniable charisma, has throughout her career actively participated in the development of the business network in information and communication technologies (ICTs ) in Quebec , particularly in the company she founded. With an innate talent for business development, she seizes the best growth opportunities as they arise, while responding to changing business needs. The dynamic environment she created has led her to develop major events and services in the ICT sector. Nicole Martel serves on numerous boards, including that of TECNA, a group composed of fifty leaders of North American associations technologies. Active member of several IT associations , she was co-chairing the consolidation of Canadian ICT associations. In 2013, she was one of the eight key women in the world of technology in Quebec according to the magazine » Premières en affaires « .
Thierry Pagé
Chief Executive Office, Odotech
Thierry Pagé
Chief Executive Office, Odotech
Thierry Pagé is co-founder and President of Odotech (http://www.odotech.com), an environmental company specializing in the measurement and control of odours, with subsidiaries in France and Chile. He has assembled an international team that has developed a number of innovative products that have revolutionized the measurement and management of odour nuisances, such as OdoWatch® electronic noses. Now used around the world, these innovations enable industrial companies and municipalities to better manage odour emissions, minimize resources and ensure a better quality of life for citizens.
After graduating in Chemical Engineering from École Polytechnique de Montréal, he specialized in air quality while obtaining a master’s degree at Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium and a second master’s in Entrepreneurial Management at MIT Sloan in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Mr. Pagé is also an administrator and co-founder of Ecotech Québec – Québec Cleantech Cluster (http://www.ecotechQuébec.com).
Thierry Pagé is co-founder and President of Odotech (http://www.odotech.com), an environmental company specializing in the measurement and control of odours, with subsidiaries in France and Chile. He has assembled an international team that has developed a number of innovative products that have revolutionized the measurement and management of odour nuisances, such as OdoWatch® electronic noses. Now used around the world, these innovations enable industrial companies and municipalities to better manage odour emissions, minimize resources and ensure a better quality of life for citizens.
After graduating in Chemical Engineering from École Polytechnique de Montréal, he specialized in air quality while obtaining a master’s degree at Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium and a second master’s in Entrepreneurial Management at MIT Sloan in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Mr. Pagé is also an administrator and co-founder of Ecotech Québec – Québec Cleantech Cluster (http://www.ecotechQuébec.com).
Luc Richard
Président, Morency Société d’avocats
Luc Richard
Président, Morency Société d’avocats
Luc Richard is a senior partner and president of Morency Attorneys (http://morencyavocats.com), a law firm with over 70 professionals practicing primarily in Montréal and Québec City. Mr. Richard’s main area of practice is commercial and corporate law. He represents a variety of financial institutions and venture capital companies. Part of his practice also focuses on international law. Mr. Richard advises foreign investors doing business in Québec. His experience enables him to guide clients in the planning and organization of all their commercial and corporate affairs.
He has served as President of the Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal and is a member of several boards of directors.
Luc Richard is a senior partner and president of Morency Attorneys (http://morencyavocats.com), a law firm with over 70 professionals practicing primarily in Montréal and Québec City. Mr. Richard’s main area of practice is commercial and corporate law. He represents a variety of financial institutions and venture capital companies. Part of his practice also focuses on international law. Mr. Richard advises foreign investors doing business in Québec. His experience enables him to guide clients in the planning and organization of all their commercial and corporate affairs.
He has served as President of the Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal and is a member of several boards of directors.
Renaud Caron
Senior Vice-President, Strategic Development at CGI Group Inc.
Renaud Caron
Senior Vice-President, Strategic Development at CGI Group Inc.
Mr. Caron is currently Senior Vice-President, Strategic Development at CGI Group Inc. Before, he held various positions such as: Senior Vice-President, Strategic Development, Senior Vice-President, Business Engineering, and Senior Vice-President and General Manager, CGI International. Previously, he was the Deputy Minister of Economic Development Canada for Government of Canada and Delegate for Foreign Investments. Before that, for Quebec Government, he acted as Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Science and Technology, and Tourism, Deputy Minister for the Ministry of International Affairs and Associate General Secretary for the Executive Council Office. He completed a master’s degree in Public Administration (Economics and Public Finance) at the University of Quebec after studying Economic Sciences at the University of Sherbrooke and Social Science at the University of Laval. He followed several trainings, notably from Harvard Business School (Executive Management Course – Leading Professional Service Firm). As Administrator, Mr. Caron has served on several Boards of Directors for organizations and privates companies such as, Montreal World Trade Centre, Business Development Bank of Canada, Société générale de financement du Québec, Montreal International, Techno Montreal, Société québécoise des transports, Société de développement industriel du Québec and Société nationale de fiducie.
Mr. Caron is currently Senior Vice-President, Strategic Development at CGI Group Inc. Before, he held various positions such as: Senior Vice-President, Strategic Development, Senior Vice-President, Business Engineering, and Senior Vice-President and General Manager, CGI International. Previously, he was the Deputy Minister of Economic Development Canada for Government of Canada and Delegate for Foreign Investments. Before that, for Quebec Government, he acted as Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Science and Technology, and Tourism, Deputy Minister for the Ministry of International Affairs and Associate General Secretary for the Executive Council Office. He completed a master’s degree in Public Administration (Economics and Public Finance) at the University of Quebec after studying Economic Sciences at the University of Sherbrooke and Social Science at the University of Laval. He followed several trainings, notably from Harvard Business School (Executive Management Course – Leading Professional Service Firm). As Administrator, Mr. Caron has served on several Boards of Directors for organizations and privates companies such as, Montreal World Trade Centre, Business Development Bank of Canada, Société générale de financement du Québec, Montreal International, Techno Montreal, Société québécoise des transports, Société de développement industriel du Québec and Société nationale de fiducie.
Danièle Milette
Head of Tax Department at Le Groupe Amyot Gélinas Inc.
Danièle Milette
Head of Tax Department at Le Groupe Amyot Gélinas Inc.
Danièle Milette holds a master’s degree in Taxation combined with over 20 years of experience in the field. She started her career in a medium-size firm in Montréal where she later became a partner. She then joined the firm Verrier Paquin Hébert as Director of the Tax Department, overseeing some 20 tax specialists. Following the company’s merger with Deloitte, Danièle served as a partner for more than seven years. Specializing in small and medium enterprises, Danièle acquired solid expertise in companies operating in the manufacturing, retail and technological sectors—companies with a focus on innovation and for which tax plays an important role. Orienting toward business development, she became involved in the award program Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the Montréal region. From June 2014 to March 2015, she participated in the Commission d’examen de la fiscalité, chaired by Luc Godbout. Member of the board of directors of the Association de planification fiscale et financière (APFF) for several years, she assumed the role of Chair in 2007. She has spoken at numerous conferences on tax-related current event topics to different work groups and associations.
Danièle Milette holds a master’s degree in Taxation combined with over 20 years of experience in the field. She started her career in a medium-size firm in Montréal where she later became a partner. She then joined the firm Verrier Paquin Hébert as Director of the Tax Department, overseeing some 20 tax specialists. Following the company’s merger with Deloitte, Danièle served as a partner for more than seven years. Specializing in small and medium enterprises, Danièle acquired solid expertise in companies operating in the manufacturing, retail and technological sectors—companies with a focus on innovation and for which tax plays an important role. Orienting toward business development, she became involved in the award program Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the Montréal region. From June 2014 to March 2015, she participated in the Commission d’examen de la fiscalité, chaired by Luc Godbout. Member of the board of directors of the Association de planification fiscale et financière (APFF) for several years, she assumed the role of Chair in 2007. She has spoken at numerous conferences on tax-related current event topics to different work groups and associations.
Steve Castegan
General Manager, La Meunerie Milanaise
Steve Castegan
General Manager, La Meunerie Milanaise
Holder of an MBA from Sherbooke University, Steve Castegan is an experienced manager with solid experience in higher management, logistics, distribution and business development.
He acquired experience in manufacturing in areas as diverse as ventilation, electrical insulators, paper and, for the past 10 years, agrifood (http://lamilanaise.com). He is responsible for setting up distribution networks in more than 20 countries on three continents.
Mr. Castegan is a member of several associations and groups and serves as a mentor for start-ups and international development. His dedication and leadership are greatly appreciated by the members of the boards of directors on which he sits.
Holder of an MBA from Sherbooke University, Steve Castegan is an experienced manager with solid experience in higher management, logistics, distribution and business development.
He acquired experience in manufacturing in areas as diverse as ventilation, electrical insulators, paper and, for the past 10 years, agrifood (http://lamilanaise.com). He is responsible for setting up distribution networks in more than 20 countries on three continents.
Mr. Castegan is a member of several associations and groups and serves as a mentor for start-ups and international development. His dedication and leadership are greatly appreciated by the members of the boards of directors on which he sits.
