Our governance

Our Board of Trustees

President
Marie-José SURPRIS
Principal, Partnerships, Umalia Inc.

Marie-José believes that there exists an unprecedented state of readiness on the part of companies, individuals and non-profit organizations to create bridges and engage in dialogue that will bring considerable business gain and result in national and international sustainable impact. An opinion built through the various positions of progressively increasing responsibility (international program and project management, strategic planning, organizational change management, and executive management) that Marie-José held with Canadian and American organizations such as Oxfam Québec, United Nations (FAO, FNUAP), and PACT (US). She supported NGO, community, and development agency-based partnership initiatives with a view to sustainable development.

Marie-José also brings experience in international cooperation in several African countries and has an excellent understanding of civil society in Africa and in Canada. Her four principal areas of expertise include: project management, capacity building and team coaching, social communication for development, and gender equality. She has also lived abroad in countries such as Benin, Madagascar, Cape Verde, Chad, Mauritania, Niger and has worked in another 10 countries worldwide for punctual projects

Vice President
Luc FORGET
Architectural and Urban Accessibility Consultant, EX Aequo

After studying visual arts in university, where he also received a teaching certificate, he worked as a sculptor for a number of years. He was a member of the Conseil de la sculpture du Québec’s board of directors for 5 years. His interest in living spaces led him to pursue architectural studies. For over a decade, he has specialized in making architectural and urban settings, as well as public transportation, universally accessible, helping to ensure the economic and social inclusion of people with motor impairments.

Secretary
Colin R. NEWHOUSE
President, Colin Newhouse & Associates Inc.

“I am struck by the arbitrary nature of disabilities. In nearly every case, the victims could not have done anything to avoid the mine or the illness that caused their disability. Although their abilities are often greatly diminished, people with disabilities demonstrate incredible courage and willpower. All they need is targeted aid.”

Treasurer
Guy DUFOUR
Bilingual Chartered Accountant

With a Master’s degree in Organizations Management and Development,Guy Dufour has more than 20 years experience at Quebecor, a national media conglomerate with operations in many areas of activity. He has extensive experience in finance, accounting, internal audit, compliance and governance.

Guy has successfully executed numerous special projects focusing on improving how financial information is presented, identifying risks and detecting fraud. He has developed in-depth knowledge of centralizing accounting operations intended to reduce costs extensively in a rapidly changing environment.

Guy Dufour was a member and director of the Administrative Committee of the Ordre des psychoéducateurs et psychoéducatrices du Québec. Driven by Humanity & Inclusion’s humanitarian mission and support initiatives, Guy would like to contribute to the organization, both at the financial and operational level, in order to advance its development in Canada.

Trustee
François Boscher
Lawyer

François Boscher specializes in commercial law at the Montreal law firm BKG. After practicing law in France from 1981 to 1992, he decided to emigrate to Canada. He now helps establish European companies, mainly French ones, in Canada. As trustee and previous Secretary of the Association, François provides legal support to the Board of Trustees. He holds a master’s degree in private law and another in international commercial law.

Trustee
Pierre LEONARD
Partner, Vice President and Creative Director, Parallèle

A graduate of the graphic design programme at the Université du Québec à Montréal, Pierre spent more than twenty years at the Cossette Communication Group as creative director and as executive director of Graphème (now Identica), its branding and graphic design subsidiary. Over the course of his career, he has worked as a consultant for several important clients such as Bell Canada, Air Canada, Bombardier, Desjardins, Provigo, Domtar, Radio-Canada, Softimage, the Université de Montréal, the city of Montreal, Cavalia and Cirque du Soleil.

Pierre taught at the Université du Québec à Montréal from 1992 to 1999. He is regularly asked to give lectures, sit on juries, and present his vision of branding and design. In December 2009, he joined Parallèle as a partner, vice-president and creative director.

Pierre was president of the Société des designers graphiques du Québec from 2000 to 2010. He co-founded and now sits on the board of directors for the Conférence interprofessionnelle du design du Québec. He is vice-president of the board of Mission Design, which he also co-founded.

As part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, the Université du Québec à Montréal named Pierre an institution ambassador.