Governance

An economist by training, Mario Albert has wide-ranging experience in the financial sector and in supervisory roles. His extensive expertise has led him to hold several high-profile positions, including President and CEO of the Autorité des marchés financiers, President and CEO of Investissement Québec, and Assistant Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Finance. He has served in numerous other senior management roles at private, public and parapublic organizations in Quebec, notably La Capitale and Finance Montréal.

A certified member and Fellow of the Canadian Public Relations Society, with degrees in journalism and management and sustainable development, Guy Versailles is recognized for his expertise in communications strategy, planning and management. He served as press secretary and chief of staff to several ministers in the Quebec government before holding executive positions at Hydro-Québec, where he was responsible for media relations, and at the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, as Vice President of Communications, Marketing, and Public Relations.

A specialist in business management, Richard Blain has solid expertise in human resources management and in governance. During his more than 35-year career in business and consulting, he has helped develop and implement strategies designed to improve the efficiency and performance of numerous organizations undergoing growth and change. He served as chair of the board of the Ordre des CRHA and has sat on several boards of directors and advisory committees.

As a company director, Sylvianne Chaput draws on more than 30 years of experience in finance, private investment, mergers and acquisitions, and governance. As president of the Chagnon family’s management company, she has been honoured with the Reconnaissance (recognition) Award from the Association des femmes en finance du Québec, and selected as a Fellow of the International Women’s Forum. She is known for quickly grasping complex issues, exercising sound strategic judgment, demonstrating exemplary rigour and building consensus around decisions that create value. 

A member of the Quebec Bar for more than 20 years, Jean-Alexandre Gouin practices primarily in the areas of insurance and financial services law, as well as corporate and commercial law. In addition, he holds a master’s degree in information technology law from the Université de Montréal. As Vice President at TD Insurance, Mr. Gouin leads a team that supports national and international operations in general insurance, insurance of persons and reinsurance. 

With a master’s degree in taxation, multiple credentials in wealth management, and a specialization in taxation for entrepreneurs, Jean-Philippe Vézina took over the firm founded by his father, Jean-Maurice Vézina, in January 2022. He supports individuals and families in their key financial decisions through an integrated financial planning approach aimed at optimizing their overall financial situation. He has served as chair of the board of directors of the CSF and has received several honours, including the Distinction award from the IPF (2024) and the title of Advisor of the Year – Under 40 on two occasions. He teaches estate planning at Université Laval, appears in the media, hosts specialized podcasts, serves as a coach at Omnium Financier, and is a division director.

Guy Barbeau has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services sector. His expertise includes distribution, sales management, marketing and operations. He has been a member of the board of directors of the Credit Institute of Canada since 2019. His career path has led him to hold positions elsewhere in Canada, as well as in Europe.

Nancy Chahwan has about 15 years of experience sitting on boards of directors, where she has served as chair and as a member of audit, IT, HR and governance committees. A seasoned executive and advisor to senior leaders on HR and performance management, she draws on a career in the federal public service, where she was a deputy minister at the Canada Revenue Agency, on the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, and at National Defence. She is well-versed in large-scale projects and organizational transformations, and knows how to translate complex priorities into innovative, results-oriented strategies.

Having served for more than 10 years on the boards of directors of professional orders as an independent director appointed by the Office des professions, Denis Charland has chaired governance and audit committees. He has also held various positions as executive director within provincial ministries and agencies, where he developed expertise in change management and technology implementation. At the Ministry of Public Safety, he implements and manages financial assistance programs related to actual or imminent disasters, and is spearheading a digital transformation of services for disaster victims.

A cybersecurity engineer with a master’s degree in artificial intelligence from the Université de Sherbrooke, Christian Kengne received the 2021 Administrateur de la relève (emerging leader) award, presented by the Association des jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec. He serves on several boards of directors, including that of Revenu Québec. His areas of expertise range from cybersecurity strategies to cyberthreat monitoring and AI-related issues. Previously, he worked as a consultant at CGI before joining InFidem, and then at Accenture as a cybersecurity director.

Holding of a bachelor’s degree in law and a certificate in cyber risk insurance, Stéphanie Lalonde has been working in the industry for nearly 20 years. At Intact, she leads a team of more than 400 claims adjusters and 600 lawyers and support staff across the country. There she has held positions including Senior Director of Specialized Solutions and Director of the Special Investigations Unit. She has also served on the board of directors of the ACDSA and was responsible for inter-company arbitration for the Quebec chapter.

A retired partner at Deloitte, Eddie Leschiutta has more than 40 years of experience in certification and consulting services for large companies. For many years, he led the firm’s risk management and governance departments. He chairs the Audit and Risk Committee for Solus Trust, a subsidiary of Raymond James. He is also chair of the Advisory Committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University and serves on the board of directors of the McGill University Health Centre Foundation.

With a college diploma (DEC) in insurance and financial services, as well as certificates in law and risk management, Maxime Poulin has been working in the industry since 2003. He began his career as a commercial insurance underwriter in Montreal and Halifax before making the transition to brokerage in 2012 at the firm where he currently works. Passionate about the future of his profession, he has served as an instructor in damage insurance at Cégep du Vieux Montréal. In 2016, he received the Prix Distinction Relève from the RCCAQ, an award given to brokers who demonstrate exceptional achievement early in their careers.

With more than 15 years of experience in the financial sector, Cynthia Laventure holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration as well as certifications in insurance of persons and mutual funds. Over the course of her career, she has developed expertise in strategic decision-making, analysis, and corporate responsibility. After serving as a senior advisor and assistant branch manager at RBC, she founded Mon Choix Financier Inc., followed by Groupe Financier Symbiose, where she currently serves as CEO. She specializes in tax optimization and wealth-building strategies for professionals, entrepreneurs and their families. Her career path has given her a deep understanding of current challenges in management, compliance, and risk management.