At the end of an incredible day of highly engaging virtual activities for the HEC Montréal community, the much-anticipated presentation of the Luminescence Awards took place, recognizing four alumni for their leadership, spirit of innovation, boldness and outstanding achievements toward building a better tomorrow.
Congratulations go out to all the short-listed nominees as well as everyone who submitted a nomination package. The sheer quality of the submissions reminded us once again of the excellence in the HEC Montréal community. Our alumni are in a league of their own when it comes to the positive influence they have on the world around them.
The event was also an opportunity to pay tribute to our 2021 Distinguished Alumni, Marie-Claude Gévry (HEC Montréal 1976 and 1979) and Macky Tall (HEC Montréal 1990). After their induction, they engaged in an inspiring conversation about the impact of HEC Montréal on their respective careers.
“HEC Montréal is delighted to honour our winners, nominees and 2021 Distinguished Alumni inductees, but tonight we are also celebrating an entire community dedicated to excellence. This community is the pride of our School, here at home and around the world, and exemplifies the high standards of achievement we aspire to reach and surpass year after year,” said Federico Pasin, Director of HEC Montréal, in his opening remarks.
HEC Montréal Foundation President and CEO Michel Patry echoed these sentiments, saying, “Today, we are thrilled and proud to become better acquainted with these accomplished alumni whose sights are firmly set on the future. Our entire community stands apart when it comes to ongoing commitment to the School. Our graduates step up to mentor their peers, give back to their alma mater and help to groom a strong new generation of business professionals with creative ideas about how to face the challenges of today and tomorrow.”
Featuring prominent guests, high-level discussions and networking opportunities, and honours and celebrations galore, the new signature event known as Gala Luminescence celebrated the HEC Montréal Alumni Association’s 100th anniversary this year with a nod to the boldness and distinction that are the hallmarks of its community. Participants took part in a variety of fascinating discussions about the community-building role and future aspirations of the Association, hosted by none other than Isabelle Maréchal (HEC Montréal 2000).
“We are a powerful, vibrant network, and we want to attract even more people to our activities. The Association is and will continue to be relevant to the lives of our alumni. It inspires them to get involved and raise the visibility of our entire community,” said Jonathan Plourde (HEC Montréal 2005), Chair of the Association’s Board of Directors.
Premier François Legault (HEC Montréal 1978 and 1984) also sent a special message for the milestone anniversary in video form. He congratulated the Gala Luminescence award winners and expressed his pride in having graduated from a business school of such high calibre
ROSE LYNDSAY DAUDIER (HEC MONTRÉAL 2012)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, YOUTH FUSION
As the head of Youth Fusion, Rose Lyndsay has been the driving force behind the organization’s expansion into various areas of Canada and France, with a program tailored to meet the specific needs of Indigenous communities and keep underprivileged youth in school. Youth Fusion reaches out to thousands of youth in rural, urban and Indigenous communities, providing them with a unique, experience-based learning model. Rose Lyndsay is responsible for day-to-day operations as well as longer-term growth and development.
THIBAUT MARTELAIN (HEC MONTRÉAL 2015)
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, MARCHÉ SECONDLIFE
Thibaut is the founder of Marché SecondLife, an online grocery store with a dual mission to reduce food waste and provide a healthy, sustainable source of nutrition. The company provides thousands of people with affordable groceries, including less-than-pristine and surplus food items rescued from manufacturers, farmers and wholesalers. These operations have both an economic and an environmental impact, supporting Quebec farmers and growers, and reducing the corresponding carbon footprint.
YOSSIRI ADULYASAK (HEC MONTRÉAL 2012)
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF LOGISTICS AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT, HEC MONTRÉAL
Yossiri Adulyasak is the Canada Research Chair in Supply Chain Analytics, an associate professor at HEC Montréal and a groundbreaking researcher. His expertise lies in predictive and prescriptive analytics for various manufacturing, retail, transportation and risk management applications. Through his academic work, he has supervised students at the graduate and postgraduate level, published a number of papers and worked with businesses, major retailers and manufacturers in Canada and internationally.
DÉBORAH CHERENFANT (HEC MONTRÉAL 2009)
REGIONAL DIRECTOR, WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS, QUEBEC, TD
Déborah Cherenfant is a tireless advocate for gender equity and diversity in the workplace. She is determined to change people’s perceptions of immigrants, the Black community, women and youth. Over the years, she has served on close to a dozen boards in line with her interests, namely economic development, entrepreneurship, women’s leadership and the arts. She has been involved in a number of projects focusing on equity, diversity and inclusion in corporate settings.
