France awards the Legion of Honour to Hélène Desmarais

Ms. Hélène Desmarais’ career has been marked by yet another major milestone. The Chair of the Board of Directors and graduate of HEC Montréal has just been elevated to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honour, a prestigious distinction awarded by the French Republic.

French President Emmanuel Macron presented the insignia to her during a ceremony in Montréal on September 26, 2024.

The Legion of Honour, the highest honorific distinction awarded by France, rewards outstanding merits in the service of the Nation. The spotlight was on Ms. Desmarais’ formidable career, which has been marked by her constant innovation and abiding commitment to deepening Franco-Canadian relations.

In addition to her qualities as a businesswoman and unwavering dedication to her alma mater, the following initiatives taken by her also earned her this prestigious decoration:

• Founder of the Centre d’entreprises et d’innovation de Montréal
• Participation in the founding of Forum IA Québec, an organization that promotes Quebec’s artificial intelligence ecosystem in Canada and abroad
• Contribution to the expansion of the Creative Destruction Lab and Next.AI, to support the development of international players in the artificial intelligence sector
• Setting up of the International Center of Expertise in Montréal on Artificial Intelligence, a key player in the global partnership on artificial intelligence jointly initiated by Canada and France
• Active involvement in the health sector (Board Member of the CHUM) and in the promotion of cultural activities (Deputy Chair of the Board of Directors of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra)
• Contribution to the creation of the Conference of Paris, an extension of the International Economic Forum of the Americas

Hélène Desmarais with French President Emmanuel Macron.