Hélène Desmarais

Hélène Desmarais is a Canadian business leader and philanthropist from Montreal who has held leadership roles across Québec's corporate and academic sectors, including partnerships with major institutions in Canada and international collaborations with counterparts in France and the United States. Her career spans entrepreneurship, corporate governance, and institutional development, connecting entities such as HEC Montréal, the Université de Montréal, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and multinational firms like Bombardier and Power Corporation of Canada. Desmarais has been active in initiatives intersecting with innovation clusters, research centres, and economic development agencies in Montréal, Toronto, Ottawa, and European innovation hubs such as Paris and Lille.

Early life and education

Born in Montreal in the mid-1950s, Desmarais attended local schools before pursuing higher education at institutions that link academic research with industry, including programs affiliated with HEC Montréal and the Université de Montréal. During her formative years she established networks that later connected to organizations such as Conseil du patronat du Québec, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, and provincial research entities collaborating with centres like Institut de recherche d'Hydro-Québec and hospitals such as CHUM. Early mentorships bridged ties to figures from Quebec City's business community and to professionals associated with firms like Loblaw Companies and Société générale de financement.

Business career

Desmarais founded and led enterprises and innovation centres that created linkages among startups, established companies, and academic laboratories, engaging with clusters represented by MaRS Discovery District, Centech, and regional development corporations in Montérégie. Her board memberships and executive roles have connected her to corporate governance networks including directors from Power Corporation of Canada, Bombardier Inc., CGI Inc., and financial institutions such as Royal Bank of Canada and Banque Nationale du Canada. She has participated in strategic partnerships with public agencies and industry associations like Investissement Québec, Export Development Canada, and trade missions to France and China, often interfacing with innovation policy actors from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and provincial economic ministries in Québec City. Through these roles she engaged with accelerators and incubators similar to Communitech and Startup Canada, while collaborating on projects with research hospitals and technology parks such as Montreal InVivo and Technoparc Montréal.

Philanthropy and public service

Desmarais has supported higher education and research by working with foundations and boards at institutions including HEC Montréal, the Université de Montréal, and biomedical research centres like Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal and McGill University Health Centre. Her philanthropic activity aligned with cultural organizations and foundations active in Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Place des Arts, and community health charities connected to Centraide. In public service roles she served on advisory councils and foundations interfacing with government agencies such as Canada Revenue Agency-related charitable regulators and engaged in collaborative programs with municipal partners in Montreal and provincial offices in Québec City. These initiatives often partnered with corporate philanthropies associated with entities like Bell Canada and Desjardins Group and with international partners from France and the United States.

Honours and awards

Over her career Desmarais received recognition from academic, civic, and business organizations including awards and distinctions conferred by institutions such as HEC Montréal, provincial orders in Québec, national honours in Canada, and international commendations linked to Franco-Canadian cooperation with bodies in Paris and Lyon. She has been listed among recipients of corporate governance accolades granted by boards and institutes like the Institute of Corporate Directors and received acknowledgements from philanthropic networks including Philanthropic Foundations of Canada and cultural bodies in Montréal. Her honours reflect collaborations with professional associations such as the Ordre des administrateurs du Québec and engagements with bilateral trade and cultural organizations between Canada and France.

Personal life

Desmarais resides in the Greater Montreal area and maintains ties with academic and cultural institutions including HEC Montréal and the Université de Montréal, as well as with community organizations active in Montreal and provincial networks in Québec City. Her personal network includes leaders from industries represented by corporations such as Bombardier, financial institutions like Royal Bank of Canada, and cultural institutions such as the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, reflecting ongoing participation in civic life, philanthropy, and institutional governance.

Category:Canadian businesspeople Category:Canadian philanthropists Category:People from Montreal