Jacques Robert receives Engagement Award
December 4, 2025
The 2025 Jean-Marie Toulouse Engagement Award has been presented to Jacques Robert for his outstanding contribution to the internal functioning and development of HEC Montréal.
He joined the School’s faculty in 2001, and also took on administrative roles throughout his career, sometimes even more than one at a time, before retiring in December 2004. He served as Director of two departments — Information Technologies and International Business — as well as the PhD Program and Direction de la valorisation des innovations pédagogiques, in addition to being Associate Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer.
He was also part of several internal and external committees, including the Academic Council, Management and Program Committees, Centraide campaign, the Board of Directors of the French-language business management journal, Gestion and CIRANO, the Advisory Committees of Familles en affaires and the Accélérateur Banque Nationale – HEC Montréal. It is worth noting that in 2006 he co-founded the ERPsim Lab, which has since enjoyed tremendous success and contributed to the global reputation of the School.
Transformational impact
He always sought to achieve a transformational impact on departmental culture and activities, for instance by fostering a research-friendly environment. A member of the Cercle du Directeur, which brings together HEC Montréal’s top donors, he is acknowledged for his inclusive and collaborative leadership, his initiative and innovative flair, and his tireless efforts to meet the strategic needs of the School.
As Michel Patry, President and CEO, HEC Montréal Foundation, concluded in his letter of recommendation: “Jacques Robert’s involvement often went beyond the day-to-day management of an activity. He almost always innovated or broadened the scope of activity or thoroughly reviewed the functioning of projects under his responsibility. He certainly belongs to that select group of colleagues for whom the interests of the School have always come first.”