Randall Birks
Randall Birks is the Chief Investment Officer and Vice-President at Birinco Inc, a Montreal based merchant bank. Previously he was a Partner and the Head of Research at a multi-family investment office in New York. Mr Birks has also worked at HSBC in NY and State Street Corp, a financial services company, in Boston. Mr. Birks holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a Master’s degree in Investment Management from Boston University. He completed his BA in East Asian Studies at McGill with a year abroad in Tokyo at Jochi Daigaku (Sophia University). Further he is a member of the Board of Directors for the Birks Family Foundation where he chairs the Investment Committee.
Eric Boyko
Eric Boyko is co-founder and president (since 2007) of Stingray Digital Inc., an international company dedicated exclusively to digital media. He founded eFundraising.com, Corp. in 1991 and was its president until recently. A graduate from McGill University, Mr. Boyko has a specialization in accounting and became a certified general accountant in 1997. Winner of the Top 40 under 40 prize for 2006, he is a member of the board of directors of the Business Development Bank of Canada, of the Montreal Development Program, of the Young Presidents’ Association (YPO), of French for the Future and of the Anges financiers from the Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal.
Reuven Brenner
Reuven Brenner worked with Bank of America, Knowledge Universe, Bell Canada, with investors in Canada, the US and has been involved in the private equity markets as partner in Match Strategic Partners. He has pursued entrepreneurial ventures and has been serving on company boards, and was also expert witness in cases covering financial, anti-trust and bankruptcy matters. Brenner also testified before US Congressional Commissions and Canada’s Senate’s Banking and Finance Committee He holds the Repap Chair at McGill’s Desautels Faculty of Management since 1991, and is on the Board of McGill’s Pension Fund. He authored books published by University of Chicago, Cambridge University Press and Presses Universitaires de France. His articles appeared in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Post, Asia Times, Le Figaro and The Financial Times. Forbes dedicated a cover story to his works and endeavors, received the Killam Award, and is elected fellow of the Royal Society.
The Honourable Baljit S. Chadha, P.C.
The Honourable Baljit Singh Chadha is a highly respected and successful entrepreneur, philanthropist and engaged citizen. Born in Bombay (Mumbai) in 1951, Mr. Chadha obtained his undergraduate science degree (B.Sc.) at the University of Bombay before immigrating to Canada. He obtained a Diploma in Business Administration (DBA) at the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Concordia University in Montreal. He also holds corporate director certification (ICD.D) from the Institute of Corporate Directors. Beginning with just a rented desk and 100% borrowed capital, Mr. Chadha founded his own business, Balcorp Limited, in Montreal in 1976, later opening offices in Bombay and New Delhi. Balcorp is now an international marketer of a broad range of products and services. Mr. Chadha is known for his depth of knowledge and expertise in international trade and strategic planning, both within his own company and across the breadth of his growing global business interests. In 2003, the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada, named Mr. Chadha to the Security Intelligence Review Committee, as well as to the Queen’s Privy Council of Canada.
Mario Charpentier
Mario Charpentier is the Managing Partner and one of the six founders of BCF Business Law, today numbering more than 180 professionals in Quebec. Mr. Charpentier has over 25 years of experience in corporate taxation related to areas of mergers and acquisitions, financing and tax and financial planning. Since 1995, he has participated in more than 250 private, public or venture capital financings related to trans-border transactions involving American and European businesses. Mr. Charpentier is an officer of the Fondation du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Montréal (CHUM), a life officer of the Fondation du Barreau du Québec and member of the expert panel of the Québec Manufacturing Fund of the Caisse et dépôt de placement du Québec.
Stephan D. Crétier
Stephan Crétier, MBA, is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Garda World Security Corporation. Garda provides a full range of security services including armored transportation of currency and valuables, protection of persons and premises, and electronic security solutions. The company also conducts special investigations.
Jean-Guy Desjardins
Mr. Desjardins graduated from the École des Hautes Études Commerciales and holds the designation of CFA. The chairman and CEO of Fiera Capital, he has worked in the investment management field since 1969. He sits on many boards of directors, including those of financial services firm Fonds FMOQ Inc. and HEC Montréal. Mr. Desjardins was a member of the Bank of Canada’s board of directors for five years and was elected lead director in 2007. He also served as chairman of the special committee of the Bank’s independent directors responsible for recruiting governor Mark Carney.
Nicola Di Iorio, Ad. E.
Nicola is a partner with the law firm BCF. As a recognized leader who is admired by everyone, he is considered one of Quebec’s leading specialists in the field of labour and employment law, as well as human rights law and administrative law. A member of the Bar since 1983, he has been a partner of major national firms and has taught at several Quebec universities, namely with Faculties of Law, Faculties of Management, and the Barreau du Québec. Having received the Advocatus Emeritus (Ad.E.) distinction from the Quebec Bar, he has co-authored two major works about labour standards, and has contributed to several research papers and given various conferences on complex timely subjects.
Nicola is very involved in his community. Among other things, he founded the Cool Taxi organization in 2010 and spearheaded the National Impaired Driving Prevention Week, which was adopted by the House of Commons, with the first week taking place from March 18-24, 2018. He was elected to the House of Commons in 2015, and served on the Standing Committee on National Security. A graduate of Université de Sherbrooke and Columbia University, Nicola has received numerous distinctions from his peers and has been listed in the country’s most prestigious legal directories on several occasions.
Daniel R. Dorey, MBA
As a business leader, Daniel Dorey has accumulated 20 years of experience in the sectors of corporate mergers, business development and real estate investment. He is Managing Director of OneCap Financial and a principal in Symetrix Realty Corp. From 1996 to 2003 Mr. Dorey was president of Oxford Quebec, a division of Oxford Properties Group. He also presided over the U.S. division of Oxford and was chairman of the board of MTEC Construction. Prior to Oxford Mr. Dorey was the driving force behind the success of another real estate management firm (Koral Properties) which, under his direction, became one of the major players in its field in Quebec. Koral was sold to Oxford in 1996.
Marcel Dutil, C.M.
Marcel Dutil is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe Canam Inc., which specializes in the design, manufacture and marketing of construction products and solutions in Canada, the United States, and elsewhere in the world. Mr. Dutil has been awarded honorary doctorates from the Université du Québec in Montréal, the Université de Montréal, and the Université de Sherbrooke. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and a Knight of the Ordre national du Québec.
Richard Garneau
Richard Garneau was President and CEO of Resolute Forest Products from January 1, 2011 to January 31, 2018. He served as President and CEO of Catalyst Paper Corporation from 2007 through 2010 and as Vice President of pulp and paper operations with Domtar Inc. from 2005 through 2007. He also held a variety of roles at Norampac, Copernic.com, Future Electronics, St. Laurent Paperboard, Finlay Forest Industries, and Donohue Inc. Richard Garneau is a chartered professional accountant.
François Hudon
François Hudon was Head, North American Customer Contact Centres for BMO Bank of Montreal from June 2014 to June 2020. From 2001 to 2014, he assumed the role of Senior Vice-President, Quebec Division of BMO Bank of Montreal. Mr. Hudon holds a degree from HEC Montréal and has broad experience in personal and commercial banking as well as experience in human resources, sales, marketing and business development. He is involved in various social and community activities and is President of the Marie-Enfant Foundation.
George F. Lengvari Jr.
Between 1968 and 1994 George F. Lengvari Jr. practiced International Fiscal and Transactional Law in Montreal. From 1994 to 2009 he was Vice Chairman of Weider Health and Fitness, a Los Angeles based holding company with operations in publishing, vitamins and nutrition as well as fitness equipment. He was the Vice Chairman of Schiff Nutrition International a NYSE listed company. He is also the founder of an international licensing group, as well as Chairman of Lengvari Capital Limited, a private equity investment company. Mr. Lengvari resides in London, England.
Bernard Lord
Bernard Lord was premier of New Brunswick from 1999 to 2006. At age 33, he became one of the youngest premiers in Canadian history. During his two terms in office, he succeeded in reforming the way a number of public services were provided. He is currently Chief Executive Officer of Medavie. He holds three honorary doctorates and in May 2007 became the first professor in residence of the McGill University Health Centre’s Institute for Strategic Analysis and Innovation, established to promote innovation in public policy on health care. Mr. Lord will work at developing strategic studies on health care policy, with a focus on bringing greater responsibility to citizens in managing their health.
Reford MacDougall, C.M.
Following two years at the École des Hautes Études Commerciales and four years at McGill University where he earned a B.A degree, Mr. MacDougall worked for five years as a financial journalist based in Montreal. His background also includes 40 years in all phases of the financial business, two years in politics and two years with the Adam Smith Institute, a free market think tank based in London, England. He was also part of the original group which started the Montreal Economic Institute more than 20 years ago. In 2004 he was made a member of the Order of Canada for his fund raising efforts on behalf of more than 30 charitable organizations.
Dr. Eleanor Nicholls
Eleanor Nicholls has worked in both academia and business. She was President of a private investment company and also worked as managing director of a private construction company with offices in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Eleanor holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from McGill University and an M.A. from University of Toronto. She has taught at Dawson College. Eleanor sat on the Fund Council of the Board of Governors of McGill University and received a Special Award for Dedication given by the Alumni. There are many organizations in Montreal that have benefited from Eleanor’s work, including the Canadian Railway Historical Museum. Eleanor is also a Director of the Fraser Institute. Presently, Eleanor is a Director of an internet media company.
Adrien D. Pouliot
Adrien D. Pouliot obtained his law degree from the Université de Sherbrooke in 1979 and practised commercial law with the Ogilvy Renault firm until 1984. He then joined family broadcasting company CFCF Inc., becoming chief operating officer in 1989 and serving as chief executive from 1993 until the company’s sale in 1996. Mr. Pouliot was principal shareholder and president and CEO of Entourage Solutions Technologies from 1999 to 2005. He is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Draco Capital Inc., a private equity fund. Mr. Pouliot was Chairman of the MEI Board from 1999 to 2007.
Yves Rabeau
Yves Rabeau is full professor in the Department of Business Strategy at the Université du Québec à Montréal’s École des sciences de la gestion. He has also taught Management and Economics at the École des Hautes Études Commerciales, as well as Economics at the Université de Montréal’s Department of Economic Sciences. Mr. Rabeau has been a guest professor in France, Poland, and Romania, and has worked as a consultant for several large Canadian companies. He has authored many books, research papers, technical studies, and articles in scientific and business reviews. His last book discusses the evolution of the telecommunications industry in Canada. Mr. Rabeau holds a PhD in Economics Sciences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Maureen Sabia
Maureen Sabia holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History from McGill University and a Juris Doctor degree from the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto. She was called to the Bar of the Province of Ontario and is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada. Maureen has been the principal of her own consulting practice since 1986. Her work consists of assisting business with organizational and strategy issues. She has expanded her private sector experience into the boardroom. She was Chairman of the Board of Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited from March 2007 to June 2022, after serving as Chairman of its Audit Committee, a member of its Management Resources and Compensation Committee and Chairman of its Social Responsibility Committee. Maureen is a director of Canadian Tire Bank, where she serves as a member of the Governance and Conduct Review Committee. She was named one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network in 2009. In June 2011, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for her role in supporting the advancement of women in the corporate sector, and for strengthening corporate governance. In June 2012, she was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Guy Tremblay
Guy Tremblay is Partner at BCF. From 1997 to 2011, he was Co-managing National Partner at Heenan Blaikie, one of the leading law firms in the country. Over the years, Mr. Tremblay has built a reputation for excellence in employment law and labour relations. Lawyer and member of the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines et en relations industrielles agréés du Québec, Mr. Tremblay has been ranked among the leaders in its field by several specialized publications. A seasoned negotiator and shrewd strategist, he has been a key player in many labour disputes. His legal expertise combined to an extensive business experience makes him a sought-after counsel. Thus, he was president of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec and currently serves as director of the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers. He is also involved in the board of directors of several non-profit organizations.