Passionate about the success and growth of entrepreneurs, Isabelle Foisy is the president and founder of Point Cardinal, a consulting firm specializing in governance, innovation, and strategy. She is Innovator in Residence at the new Conseil de l’Innovation du Québec. In recent years, she has led QuébecInnove, an organization working to accelerate innovation in Quebec businesses, as its CEO.
An esteemed and award-winning manager, she worked for 15 years as an executive at Bell and spent a decade engaging directly with businesses, first as the chair of the Chambre de Commerce de l’Est de Montréal and then as a partner in a major accounting firm specialized in supporting Quebec SMEs.
As a certified corporate director (Administratrice de Sociétés Certifiée, ASC), Isabelle has served on many boards of directors for over 25 years. She is committed to creating value for businesses, helping them to progress, and increasing their impact. Isabelle has been a coach in the MBA program at HEC Montréal for eight years.
If you want to make her smile, invite her to a board game night or a good meal with friends!
Her journey in translation spans over 17 years, where she has excelled as a certified translator, working independently and with agencies. In February 2020, Maryse made a significant career move by joining the South Shore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Initially serving as a member services coordinator and assistant to the management, she quickly demonstrated her prowess and was promoted to a project manager role. This position has allowed her to leverage her exceptional organizational and planning skills.
As of November 2023, Maryse has been serving as the administrative coordinator at Point Cardinal. In this role, she works closely with her colleagues, offering invaluable support in the execution of their projects. Her passion for the business world and entrepreneur journeys shines through in her work. She takes a keen interest in understanding their stories and challenges, and is committed to contributing to innovative and customized solutions that meet their diverse needs.
Remaining actively involved, Olivier also sits on the board of directors of the West Island Crisis Center and is a committee member of the youth Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Montreal South Shore.
An analyst by nature, he brings creativity and methodology to the teams he works with, in addition to a strong interest in business growth, governance, and change management. Olivier completed the Young Directors Network program, a governance training program offered by the Young Chamber of Commerce of Montreal in collaboration with Laval University College of Corporate Directors, as well as the "Creative Generation" program offered by the School of Creative Sciences: La Factry.
A born foodie, Olivier is always on the lookout for Montréal’s latest culinary innovations, so we always know who to ask for recommendations!
As an independent consultant in Brazil, she has directed workforce transformation projects in small and mid-sized enterprises. She has worked with more than 100 clients and has offered more than 1000 hours in coaching services. Her interventions, characterized by the use of proven methodologies such as SWOT analysis and change management, have contributed to the success of numerous requalification and strategic projects. Vivian has also designed and animated more than 70 workshops on themes such as leadership, innovation and organizational transformation.
Drawing on her diverse background and organizational development skills, she now contributes to the evolution of enterprises by focusing on innovative and human-centred leadership. Vivian is also the co-founder of the movement “Innovative Leaders” in Brazil. Finally, she is the author of 2 published articles in a collective work concerning knowledge management and exponential leadership.
Marie has been running GRIS-Montréal since 2005. This community organization is the largest service for demystifying sexual orientation and gender identity in schools in Quebec.
Marie has shared her expertise from New Brunswick to British Columbia but also in Europe and Africa. She has given a multitude of lectures at forums on human rights and trade union, scientific or professional conferences.
Marie is also a consultant for the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ). In this capacity, she has trained thousands of medical professionals and social services, from the community and from the education system to adapt their interventions to LGBT clienteles and to be sensitive to their vulnerability.
Finally, Marie has considerable experience in the areas of organizational development, management and personalized advice. She has worked internationally with a variety of organizations from various sectors. Marie has offered several hundred training sessions covering, among other things, participatory leadership, the effectiveness of work teams, managing diversity and facilitating integration within an organization. She has also developed and led strategic planning for NPOs, the public sector and the private sector, at the highest level of responsibility.
In 2016, she was honored by receiving the medal of the National Assembly of Quebec, and the "Woman of Distinction" prize, Social Commitment category, awarded by the Women's Y Foundation for her incredible work and commitment to building a world more open to diversity.
In 2019, she received the HR Recognition Award, NPO category, from the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines of Québec.
Stéphanie also works for the Ville de Montréal as an international relations advisor. In this position, she helps develop agreements, cooperation, and relationships between cities, and she pursues the consensus-building process with the diplomatic community and international partners.
A leader recognized by her peers and her community, she was selected in 2017 to participate in the prestigious Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference. In 2018, Châtelaine magazine named her as an inspiring woman for her implementation of the Technovation program in Quebec. She was recently named by Femmessor as one of the 100 women entrepreneurs who are changing the world. Involved in various organizations, Stéphanie has sat on the board of directors of Connexion Internationale de Montréal and served as chair of the Jeune Chambre de Commerce Haïtienne.
One of her favourite things to do is wander through bookstores and peruse magazines.
As a worldwide licensee for Cirque du Soleil accessories, Johanne has found success thanks to her flair for innovation and creativity. As well as being named Personnalité de La Presse, she has been recognized by the YWCA for entrepreneurship. She was recognized for her vision of sustainable development and for her ecological heritage building (the Conservation et Préservation de la Culture award), as well as by the Femme d’Affaires du Québec award. Her company was among the first to be certified by WeConnect, along with its diversity program. This was followed by two Dunamis awards from the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Laval for her investment projects and as Distributor/Wholesaler of the Year.
She held the helm of her company for 25 years, then approached by a competitor to set up a women's accessories division in North America, it was in 2015 that she took the plunge and sold her brands to the latter corporation and became its Executive Vice President. In June 2016, Johanne Boivin contacted an American company that owned several major mega-star brands. With determination, it is a few months later that her new employer is proclaimed global licensee of one of them. Johanne Boivin, as brand manager, creates the DNA of the products and deploys her expertise in the internationalization strategy of this new brand.
Despite her busy career, Johanne is always ready to give back. She supports causes such as the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and La Rue des Femmes. She has served on boards of directors and presented to audiences from various organizations, including the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Laval, the Chambre de Commerce de Ste-Thérèse, the Jeune Chambre de Commerce de Montréal, the CPA order, and HEC.
With her passion for marketing projects and mentoring, she is now in a position to share her entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial knowledge. Generous and energetic, she is driven by dreams, passion, development, and success.
As Company administrator (ASC., C-Dir), she currently serves as a member of the board of directors of Laserax Inc., the Quebec Wildlife Foundation and the Bishop's University Foundation. More recently, she became involved with the board of directors of EVOL as well as its governance and human resources committee. Nadia has also sat on many other boards of companies and NPOs, including C2Mi - Center de Collaboration MiQro Innovation and Bishop's University.
Recognized by her peers as leader and lawyer, Nadia received the lawyer emeritus (Ad.E.) a prestigious distinction awarded by the Barreau du Québec for the excellence of her professional career, her social and community influence and her general contribution. She holds, among other things, a bachelor's degree in administration, a master's degree in taxation and a certificate in corporate governance. Nadia also had the opportunity to offer numerous training sessions and conferences in governance.
She wishes to use her diverse background to support companies and organizations in achieving their growth and responsible development objectives, in compliance with environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors.
As a passionate entrepreneur, Marco has founded and currently manages several companies in the tourism and outdoor sectors in the Laurentians. His strong entrepreneurial spirit is a powerful tool that he readily brings to his clients in governance and strategy. Marco also serves on several boards of directors for sports, cultural, and community organizations, contributing his governance expertise to his community.
Marco stands out for his organizational skills, analytical thinking, and diligence in his work. He excels in complex environments and processes. Throughout his mandates, he has demonstrated his strong analytical ability, enabling him to understand his clients' contexts and challenges accurately and propose concrete and tailored solutions. His curiosity and thirst for learning keep him up to date with the major trends in his field.
She holds a graduate diploma in management consulting and an MBA from the Université du Québec à Montréal and built her career in the telecommunications
industry. For over 25 years, she progressed through various management positions, ultimately reaching the role of senior executive at Bell Canada, where she managed large teams, led organizational transformation projects, and supported employee development
and coaching.
Viana has played both operational and functional roles, contributing to large-scale projects in various sectors of the business. She notably was involved
in a project focused on enhancing the skills of over 650 managers and collaborated on “action-research” projects with universities.
For several years, she worked as an in-house consultant for her company, mainly in human resources, gaining expertise in areas such as employee retention,
mobilization, and engagement. She is interested in deepening the understanding of the manager’s role and its evolution.
Passionate about coaching research and an expert in management, Viana brings a practical perspective to the manager’s role within the company.
In addition to his professional activities, Denis has sat on the boards of Desjardins General Insurance and its ethics committee, and of Desjardins Financial Security. He has also served as chair of the Office Municipal d'Habitation d'Anjou, and of the Chambre de Commerce de l'Est de Montréal.
During his career, he has been a volunteer organizer of numerous activities in support of community organizations.
He currently serves on the board of the Caisse Desjardins de Mercier-Est-Anjou and as treasurer of the Fondation de la Pointe-de-l'Île pour la Persévérance Scolaire.
In all his activities, he prioritizes teamwork, good governance, simplicity, transparency, respect, and diligence... and he never forgets to have fun. He enjoys a good martini and vacations with friends.
She held various positions from controller to 1st vice-president at Pacini from 2002 to 2014 then president from 2014 to 2020. Her authenticity, rigor, creativity, charisma and incredible commitment then led her to reinvent her title by becoming the Happy President of the organization, a first in Canada.
With more than 25 years of experience in her pocket, she decided to start her own consulting firm of Happy consultant where she accompanies the human behind the business decisions.
Over the past few years, Nathalie has been actively involved in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the South Shore (CCIRS) and has served on several boards of directors. She served as a member of the Montérégie regional committee for the “Prêt à entreprendre” program, which helps young entrepreneurs, as well as several female leadership cohorts. She is also one of the co-founders of the Franchise Women's Division of the Conseil Québécois de la Franchise (CQF).
Humble and curious, Nathalie is passionate about leadership and strategy and is ready to guide and propel the growth of local SMEs.
Over the last twenty years, Tasha Richard has built a proven track record in research projects, strategic development and inclusive ecosystem development. Tasha holds a Bachelor of Commerce at McGill University, an MBA and a PhD in Management from Saint Mary's University. She is also a Professor of Entrepreneurship at Dalhousie University. She is also a member of the Canadian Global Entrepreneurship Monitor team that executes annual national research surveys and reports. Tasha is also an advisor to the OECD on gender issues. Tasha’s research and publications focuses on the intersection of inclusive ecosystems, policy and program development, gender and education.
A passionate advocate for inclusion, her vast expertise has often led her to be consulted on the development of strategic plans and research plans for companies in both for profit and non-profit sectors. She has planned and executed dozens of research projects, many of which examined gender barriers across industries and sectors. Her academic publications include exploration of barriers women face in university settings and in the workplace. Tasha brings rigor to a research plan ensuring the objectives, methodology and execution are informed by established industry practices and backed by academic research.
Our Collaborators
With this professional baggage, he is now starting in the consulting field as a strategic advisor. With his profound knowledge of manufacturing systems, expertise in establishing actions plans and strategic plans, creating dashboards, and his business insight, he will also be a wonderful coach and mentor for managers and entrepreneurs.
In addition to his professional activities, Eric has served as an administrator for numerous organizations such as the Maison de la famille Coeur à rivière, the soccer club of St-Jérome (in which he assumed the presidency for 2 years), the CCEM (Chambre de Commerce de l’Est de Montréal) for 10 years. He’s also active in the real estate world.
In 2017, Eric was selected to participate to the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference.
If you want to make Eric happy, invite him to do sports. Especially outdoor sport.
She has served on prestigious committees and chaired various boards, including the Molson Foundation, the Association des Brasseurs du Québec, the Société Québécoise des professionnels en relations publiques (SQPRP) and the Conseil consultative sur l’économie et l’innovation (CCEI) established by the Government of Quebec.
Since 2020, Marieke Tremblay has been working independently as a strategic advisor, coach, and mentor. Her current practice involves supporting executives, members of leadership teams, and boards of directors in organizational transformation, growth strategy, and change management.
Many of her assignments are entrusted to her by incubators and accelerators focused on impact entrepreneurship and social innovation, where her experienced communication skills, positive energy, and ability to seize opportunities, identify challenges, and create strategic synergies and partnerships are highly valued.
Marieke has completed her training as a certified professional business coach (Level 2 ACSTH) and is on track to obtain her PCC certification from the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
A passionate advocate for the arts, Chloé believes that change stems from governance and policy. They are actively involved in various boards in the cultural and community sectors. As President of the Board of Directors for La Centrale des Artistes, they also serve on the boards of the FIKA(S) Festival of the Espace Perreault –Choreographic Transmissions, and the Val-Martin Community Center in Laval.
Chloé is dedicated to giving back and firmly believes in the leadership and empowerment of individuals from equity-seeking groups. After becoming a mother while pursuing her studies in management at HEC Montreal (2022), Chloé established a scholarship at HEC Montreal to support single mothers from diverse backgrounds who wish to resume or continue their education. In 2020, they co-founded the Black History Month Committee at HEC Montreal, an initiative aimed at highlighting the contributions of Afro-descendant and Black communities on campus. As a mentor to artistic entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, Chloé participates in panels and conferences, including the International Black Women’s Salon 2024 and the Annual Philanthropic Gathering 2024, among others.
They hold degrees in management and communication from Paris, have completed a Graduate Diploma in Management at HEC Montreal (2022), and a certificate in “DEI Strategies for Business Impact” from Cambridge Judge Business School (2022). They also have a university certification in corporate governance (2023) and training in diversity and inclusion management from the School of Executives at HEC Montreal (2023). Committed to continuous learning, Chloé is currently pursuing a part-time graduate microprogram in organizational development at HEC Montreal.
With over 25 years of service in a highly complex industry within a nonprofit federation representing nearly 20,000 members, Pierre Hamel has built a high-quality legal affairs department recognized as one of the most significant in Canada.
As legal counsel for the ACQ during the Charbonneau Commission, he worked closely with CIRANO to develop and implement an integrity program specifically designed for the construction industry. This initiative received recognition from the ONU and the Basil Institute in Switzerland, as well as the INNOVATIO Award from CANADIAN INHOUSE LAWYER.
Passionate about all facets of his work, Pierre Hamel has participated in over thirty parliamentary commissions, and the quality of his contributions earned him a spot among the 25 most influential lawyers in Canada in 2020.
His role as corporate secretary, combined with his communication skills, allowed him to successfully coordinate the development and implementation of the most significant governance reform in the industry over a period of more than two years.
Whether serving as a strategic advisor, speaker, or trainer, Pierre Hamel combines the seriousness required by his role with a well-known sense of humor, making him an excellent teammate and a highly valued colleague.
As a coach and strategic advisor, Malika Habel supports leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs in pursuing their dreams and ambitions by helping them develop the strategies essential for their success. She chose to train in coaching to professionally share her extensive experience as an experienced administrator and manager, known for her commitment to her community, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit.
After two decades in various management roles, Malika Habel served for over ten years as the General Director of a major college in Montreal. During this time, she was at the heart of her organization’s action and development, leveraging her listening skills, adaptability, authentic communication, managerial courage in decision-making, and ability to navigate complex situations. Her mobilizing leadership, combined with strategic negotiation skills, enabled her to rally her community around unifying organizational issues.
She has a university certification in corporate governance (ASC), which helped her to be involved for several years in creating value for various organizations through her participation on their boards of directors.
Her long-term commitment, capacity to influence her environment, and ability to develop innovative projects, along with her strategic vision and political acumen, have distinguished her through significant and sustainable achievements. She successfully managed major changes and demonstrated entrepreneurial initiatives to establish effective and lasting partnerships with various stakeholders, positioning her college as a socio-economic leader in East Montreal.
Driven by a desire to contribute to the development of individuals, organizations, and businesses, Jeanne enthusiastically offers her experience and skills at their services.
She supports managers in decision-making. She draws on her extensive expertise to offer consulting services to public, private, and nonprofit organizations in strategy, decision-making, planning, and 360 communications. After a successful career in management, including roles as Head of Communications and Director of Operations at Acfas, Isabelle transitioned to become a solopreneur and serial collaborator in April 2022.
She assists organizations with strategic planning, governance analysis, management evaluation, and communication strategies, while also designing the operationalization of medium and large-scale initiatives and projects. Highly versatile and genuinely curious, she identifies success factors for programs and lends her expertise in all areas of communications, including inclusive and gender-neutral communication. Her love for the French language and her linguistic revision skills are frequently praised by her collaborators.
As a mother of a preteen and a teenager, Isabelle balances her professional life with a commitment to various educational and sports volunteering activities.
Her adaptability and knack for calculated risk-taking have been pivotal to her success. Traits such as perseverance and audacity have enabled her to achieve remarkable things for herself and the organizations she has worked with. Lynda excels at simplifying complex information and is skilled at presenting in front of boards of directors.
Over the years, she has gained extensive knowledge in political issues and complex organizational structures. Lynda has served on several boards, including OSEntreprendre, Réseau de Mentorat, Université TELUQ, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Haut-Richelieu, among others. She has also contributed to various committees within the Order of Chartered Professional Accountants of Quebec and has participated in and developed numerous strategic plans. Recently, she played a significant role in major changes at Educ'Alcool.
Throughout her career, Lynda has received several honors and distinctions, including Fellow CPA, the Arista award, and recognition as a leading business personality in Haut-Richelieu. After leaving Desjardins in 2022, she combined her three core competencies—coaching, governance, and accounting—to offer organizations a comprehensive service that merges intellect and empathy.
Passionate about consulting services, she founded our own enterprise Le Département, communications stratégiques in 2021 assembling a team of communication specialists dedicated to analysis. Her entrepreneurial spirit and her diverse background allow her to adapt to different sectors, ranging from cultural to corporate, including philanthropy, all while maintaining a human-centred and collaborative approach.
At Point Cardinal, Marie-Eve distinguish herself though her capacity to integrate creativity and structure into governance and strategic planning mandates. Her expertise in corporate secretarial work and designing and animating retreats reinforces her consultative approach focused on innovations and the co-construction of sustainable solutions.
Socially engaged, she continues to contribute to causes that are close to her heart, particularly youth development and civic engagement.
He has extensive international experience, having undertaken strategy, coaching, and training assignments across Europe, Asia, and North America. As an author, blogger, and speaker, he has published numerous studies on regional economy, media economics, digital transformation, economic inequalities, and social mobility.
Francis is also an economic columnist at Qub and Journal de Montréal in addition to contributing to the magazine Premières en affaires and the Futur and Médias sections of the Canada Media Fund. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics and an M.Sc. in International Business and has a university certification in corporate governance (ASC).
Panorama is the only governance engine that fully automates board management processes while delivering tailored governance best practice recommendations.
Founded by board members and leaders, this Canadian-based company provides a comprehensive solution designed to meet the unique needs of boards of directors, management teams, and governance professionals.
Panorama offers clients a turnkey platform that centralizes and secures all strategic information, enabling informed, value-driven decision-making. More than just a document repository, Panorama equips boards with all the essential tools for establishing robust governance and fostering trust within the boardroom.
This is the service they currently provide to over 60 companies and economic organizations.
On a lighter note, they enjoy comparing their work to that of an owl. Like the owl, they are naturally curious and observe their entire environment from the height of their “tree.” They possess an excellent overall vision and share this insight with their clients, while also paying close attention to their specific needs.
The owl also symbolizes learning, a quality intrinsic to curiosity.
Philia Group actively participates in helping their clients become exemplary leaders in managing their corruption and collusion risks as well as keeping their organizations highly performant ethically.
Philia Group offers a fresh, thoughtful, effective and independent look enhancing existing processes and promoting integrity within organizations.