A Major Gift from Jean-Pierre Léger to Support HEC Montréal’s Pole D
HEC Montréal’s Pole D is taking a meaningful step forward thanks to a remarkable $1 million gift from noted Quebec philanthropist Jean-Pierre Léger, former chair and CEO of the St-Hubert Group. This donation will go toward creating a fund to ensure ongoing support for Pole D’s mission, which focuses on bringing key scientific knowledge about the role of CEOs to the forefront for application within and by the business community.
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Founded in 2021, Pole D is a unique research and learning centre in Quebec, co-led by a team of experienced researchers and CEOs. Its goal is to develop clearer insights into the realities of high-level leadership and empower executives to have a positive impact on their organizations and society as a whole.
“This major gift marks an important milestone for Pole D — one that will enable us to reach a critical stage of maturity and ensure the long-term sustainability of our mission so we can continue to serve the business leaders of today and tomorrow,” said Pole D Co-Director Alaric Bourgoin.
This generous donation is an extraordinary commitment and a powerful catalyst for the future of Pole D.
“Mr. Léger’s gift sends a strong signal to the business community,” said Josée Fiset, Associate Director of Transfer of Pole D. “It underscores the value of our research-based approach and lays the groundwork for other transformative philanthropic investments.”
Léger has been an HEC Montréal Foundation donor since 2023 and a supporter of Pole D’s activities from the centre’s inception. He shares the belief that executives have a pivotal part to play in shaping societal change. This gift reflects his deep commitment to HEC Montréal and its role as a driver of economic and social development in Quebec.
“Supporting Pole D is about harnessing the potential of CEOs to champion positive change,” said Léger. “I firmly believe that scientific research is essential to preparing leaders who will make a lasting contribution to Quebec’s economy and society.”
In recognition of this landmark gift and his steadfast support, Léger has been admitted to the HEC Montréal Foundation’s Cercle du directeur.
“We are profoundly grateful to Jean-Pierre Léger for his extraordinary generosity,” said Michel Patry, CEO of the HEC Montréal Foundation. “Mr. Léger is an outstanding leader who embodies the values that Pole D seeks to instil in the next generation of executives. We thank him for his unwavering support of Pole D’s mission and for helping to elevate the HEC Montréal Foundation’s impact.”