Desjardins Group’s Board of Directors

President and CEO of Desjardins Group

DBA, ASC

Chair

Corporate Director

Quebec City, Quebec

• Chair of the Federation’s board of directors since 2024
• Elected independent director since 2016
• End of current term (last term): 2028
• Director of Caisse Desjardins de l’Ouest-de-l’Île
• Desjardins caisse director since 1997

Key areas of expertise

• Business modelling and strategy
• Culture and cooperation
• Governance
• Risk management and compliance

Professional experience

Louis is a retired professor of project management at Université du Québec à Rimouski. He has a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with a focus on IT project teams and collaborative work environments. He also has 2 master’s degrees—one in project management and another in international relations—and a bachelor’s degree in political science. He’s a chartered director (ASC) and spent several years working as a consultant on international cooperation projects in the areas of banking, finance and infrastructure.

Roles at Desjardins

Chair, Desjardins Trust Board of Directors; Member, Desjardins Trust Review Committee

Federation board committees and commissions

• Member, Cooperation and Culture Commission
• Member, Corporate Governance and Responsible Finance Commission
• Member, Human Resources Commission

Past roles at Desjardins

• Chair, Desjardins International Development
• Chair, Audit and Inspection Commission
• Chair, Risk Management Commission (and US Risk Management)
• Chair, Desjardins General Insurance Group

MBA, ICD.D, FICB

Co-opted director

Corporate Director

Montreal, Quebec

• Co-opted independent director since 2021
• End of current term: 2027

Key areas of expertise

• Capital markets
• Finance and accounting
• Financial services and insurance
• Risk management and compliance

Professional experience

Luc has a Bachelor of Business Administration from HEC Montréal and an MBA from Concordia University. He also has his corporate director designation (ICD.D) and is a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers (FICB). He served as Vice-Chair and Head of Capital Markets – Quebec for a major Canadian bank, where he managed corporate banking, corporate services and selling and trading of securities.

Roles at Desjardins

• Chair, Desjardins Financial Corporation (DFC); Member, DFC Audit and Risk Committee
• Director, Desjardins Trust; Member Desjardins Trust Audit committee

Federation board committees and commissions

Member, Audit and Inspection Commission

PhD, MBA, CPA, C.Adm. A, ICD.D

Director

Professor

Saint-Lambert, Quebec

• Elected independent director since 2019
• End of current term: 2027
• Chair, Caisse Desjardins Charles-LeMoyne Board of Directors.
• Desjardins caisse director since 2015

Key areas of expertise

• Business ethics and professional conduct
• Culture and cooperation
• Finance and accounting
• Governance

Professional experience

Lisa is a professor and co-director of the Chair in Museum Governance and Culture Law. She has an impressive academic background and experience in accounting, management and governance. She holds a PhD in economic history and an MBA, as well as designations as a chartered professional accountant (CPA) and corporate director (ICD.D). She has overseen a wide range of complex projects as a manager, professor and researcher, and has helped forge numerous international university partnerships.

Roles at Desjardins

• Chair, Desjardins International Development
• Director, Desjardins Security Fund
• Member, Nomination and Election Committee

Federation board committees and commissions

Member, Corporate Governance and Responsible Finance Commission

MBA

Director

Engineer

Beaconsfield, Quebec

• Elected independent director since 2021
• End of current term: 2025
• Second Vice-Chair, Caisse Desjardins de l’Ouest-de-l’Île Board of Directors
• Desjardins caisse director since 2014

Key areas of expertise

• Artificial intelligence
• Culture and cooperation
• Risk management and compliance

Professional experience

Jordan has an executive MBA (finance, marketing and strategic management) from UQAM’s School of Management Sciences and Université Paris-Dauphine, as well as a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Université Laval. He currently serves as Vice-President of Business Development, Consumer Business at a security services company. Jordan is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec and focuses on management, operations planning and continuous improvement of processes

Roles at Desjardins

• Member, Desjardins Trust Board of Directors; Member, Desjardins Trust Risk Management Committee
• Director, Desjardins Security Fund
• Director, Desjardins Foundation
• Director, Alphonse Desjardins Historical Society

Federation board committees and commissions

Member, Risk Management Commission (and US Risk Management)

FCPA, MBA, C.Dir.

Vice-Chair

External Director

Ottawa, Ontario

• Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors since 2021
• Elected independent director since 2019
• End of current term: 2030

Key areas of expertise

• Finance and accounting
• Governance
• Risk management and compliance
• Financial services and insurance

Professional experience

Johanne is a CPA Ontario member, a Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant and a certified corporate director (ASC and C. Dir.) with an MBA and BBA. She’s the former chief financial officer of CBC/Radio-Canada and has held executive roles in public sector finance, including at the International Development Research Centre and the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. She has served as director at various financial and insurance cooperatives outside Quebec.

Roles at Desjardins

Chair, Desjardins General Insurance Group and Desjardins Group Board Representative, Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada.

Federation board committees and commissions

Chair, Human Resources Commission and member, Audit and Inspection Commission

Past roles at Desjardins

• Lead Director, Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec from 2021 to 2024
• Chair, Audit and Inspection Commission
• Chair, Corporate Governance and Responsible Finance Commission

CPA, CISA, ASC, C. Dir.

Director

Corporate Director

Ottawa, Ontario

• Elected independent director since 2023
• End of current term: 2027
• Chair, Desjardins Ontario Credit Union Board of Directors since 2022
• Director, Desjardins Ontario Credit Union since 2020
• Ontario caisse director since 2016

Key areas of expertise

• Business modelling and strategy
• Finance and accounting
• Financial services and insurance
• Risk management and compliance (IT management and security)

Professional experience

Francine retired in November 2022 from a career that spanned both the private and public sectors. She was Deputy Chief Administrator, Corporate Management and Chief Financial Officer for the Courts Administration Service from 2009 to 2021. She’s a chartered professional accountant (CPA), a certified corporate director (C.Dir. and ASC) and a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). During her career, she made key contributions to strategic planning, corporate priorities and business development activities.

Roles at Desjardins

• Director, Desjardins Trust; Member Desjardins Trust Audit committee
• Director; Desjardins Financial Corporation (DFC); Member, DFC Audit and Risk Committee
• Member, Desjardins Group Retirement Committee

Federation board committees and commissions

Member, Audit and Inspection Commission

Past roles at Desjardins

Director, Desjardins General Insurance Group

PhD

Director

CEO of a biotechnology and pharmaceutical consulting firm

Laval, Québec

• Director since 2025
• End of current term: 2028
• Director of Caisse Desjardins de l’Ouest de Laval since 2019

Key areas of expertise

• Legal and regulatory affairs
• Finance and accounting
• Risk management and compliance
• Governance

Professional experience

Milva Elvira D’Aronco holds a master’s degree in management from Boston University and a graduate degree in psychology. She has over 30 years of experience in governance and senior management of complex, highly regulated global organizations. Her professional background demonstrates her ability to drive strategic growth, oversee large-scale international operations, and manage significant financial and operational risks. She is also the founder and president of a non-profit organization that promotes women’s leadership in the pharmaceutical industry.

MBA

Director

Agricultural and maple-producing entrepreneur

Sainte-Edwidge, Quebec

• Elected independent director since 2017
• End of current term: 2030
• Director, Caisse Desjardins des Verts-Sommets de l’Estrie Board of Directors
• Desjardins caisse director since 2001

Key areas of expertise

• Business ethics and professional conduct
• Business modelling and strategy (agricultural sector)
• Culture and cooperation
• Sustainable development and responsible finance

Professional experience

Nadine is co-owner of a farm and maple-producing business. She has served as the president and vice-president of various organizations supporting the next generation of Quebec farmers. She’s currently the president of the Conseil québécois de la coopération et de la mutualité, where she launched an initiative to modernize its governance. She also worked as a mentor in Université de Sherbrooke’s MBA program.

Roles at Desjardins

• Director and Secretary, Desjardins Financial Corporation
• Director, Desjardins Trust; Chair, Desjardins Trust Review Committee
• Desjardins Representative, Conseil québécois de la coopération et de la mutualité

Federation board committees and commissions

Chair, Corporate Governance and Responsible Finance Commission and Member, Human Resources Commission

Past roles at Desjardins

Chair, Caisse Desjardins des Verts-Sommets de l’Estrie Board of Directors.

Engineer, BSc

Co-opted director

Engineer

Montreal, Quebec

• Co-opted independent director since 2025
• End of current term: 2028

Key areas of expertise

• Legal and regulatory affairs
• Risk management and compliance
• Governance
• Information technology

Professional experience

Philippe graduated in electrical engineering from Polytechnique Montréal. He was a director, chair and CEO of Cogeco Inc. and Cogeco Communications Inc. from 2018 to 2024. Prior to this dual role, he held several key positions at Cogeco, including chief technology and strategy officer. An experienced IT, media and telecommunications executive, Philippe brings firsthand technology knowledge and expertise in engineering complex networks with proven market development, marketing and sales skills. He also has experience managing major publicly traded and private corporations.

Federation board committees and commissions

Member, Cooperation and Culture Commission and Human Resources Commission

CFA^®, F.C.A.S., FCIA, ICD.D

External Director

Actuary

Bloomfield, Ontario

• Elected independent director since 2023
• End of current term: 2027

Key areas of expertise

• Actuarial science
• Finance and accounting
• Financial services and insurance
• Risk management and compliance (IT management and security)

Professional experience

Elaine has been an actuary for more than 30 years. She has also worked as a chief risk officer for several top-tier Canadian financial institutions and as a consultant. Her experience at different sized organizations in Canada means she’s extremely well versed in the insurance industry ecosystem. She’s renowned for her experience implementing governance and risk management strategies, and her in-depth knowledge of risk sources at financial institutions. She’s a certified corporate director.

Roles at Desjardins

• Director, Desjardins Trust; Chair, Desjardins Trust Risk Management Committee
• Director, Desjardins Financial Corporation

Federation board committees and commissions

Chair, Risk Management Commission (and US Risk Management); Member, Human Resources Commission

LLB, D.D.N., ASC

Secretary

Notary

Bassin, Quebec

• Secretary of the Board of Directors since  2022
• Elected independent director since 2021
• Director, Caisse Desjardins des Îles-de-la-Madeleine
• Desjardins caisse director since 1998

Key areas of expertise

• Legal and regulatory affairs
• Culture and cooperation
• Corporate law
• Business ethics and professional conduct
• Governance

Professional experience

Maryse has a bachelor’s degree and a diploma of notarial law from Université Laval. She’s worked in the areas of real estate, corporate and estate law. In addition to being a chartered director (ASC), she’s deeply involved in local socioeconomic issues, particularly those relating to business, urban planning and the environment.

Roles at Desjardins

• Chair, Desjardins Foundation
• Chair, Alphonse Desjardins Historical Society Board of Directors
• Director, Desjardins Trust Board of Directors; Member, Desjardins Trust Review Committee
• Member, Desjardins Group Retirement Committee

Federation board committees and commissions

• Member, Cooperation and Culture Commission
• Member, Corporate Governance and Responsible Finance Commission

Past roles at Desjardins

Chair, Caisse populaire Desjardins des Ramées; Member, Board of Ethics and Professional Conduct

MBA, Msc, ASC

Director

Information Technology Consultant

Longueuil, Québec

• Elected independent director since 2026
• End of current term: 2030
• Vice-Chair of Caisse Desjardins Pierre-Boucher Board of Directors
• Desjardins caisse director since 2013

Key areas of expertise

• Advanced analytics, artificial intelligence and information technology
• Financial services and insurance
• Governance
• Risk management and compliance

Professional experience

Martine has an Executive MBA and a degree in information systems and quantitative management methods from the Université de Sherbrooke. She also has a master’s degree in project management from Université de Québec à Montréal, with certifications in insurance, cybersecurity and project management. With more than 30 years’ experience in the financial and IT sectors, she’s worked as a manager, senior executive and digital transformation consultant for large-scale organizations in the financial, public and industrial sectors. She’s held senior management and strategic advisory roles in governance, risk management, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance and artificial intelligence. She’s also a certified corporate director (ASC) with experience in corporate governance, including Desjardins Group and public and non-profit organizations.

MBA, ASC, C.Dir.

Director

Corporate Director

Bedford, Quebec

• Elected independent director since 2023, and also from 2017 to 2021
• End of current term: 2027
• Director and Vice-Chair, Caisse Desjardins de la Pommeraie
• Desjardins caisse director since 2002

Key areas of expertise

• Business and distribution models
• Culture and cooperation
• Finance and accounting
• Financial services and insurance

Professional experience

Jean-François has an MBA from Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business. He’s also a certified corporate director (C.Dir. and ASC). He has over 30 years of management experience in finance and administration, mostly at subsidiaries of multinational manufacturing companies. He specializes in mergers and acquisitions. He also has experience in financial services and insurance, having acted as chair and member of the Board of Directors of Desjardins General Insurance Group Inc.

Roles at Desjardins

Chair, Desjardins Security Fund; Vice-Chair, Desjardins Group Retirement Committee

Federation board committees and commissions

• Member, Audit and Inspection Commission
• Member, Risk Management Commission (and US Risk Management)

Past roles at Desjardins

• Director and Chair, Desjardins General Insurance Group
• Chair, Risk Management Commission

FCIA, MBA, Msc, ASC

Co-opted director

Actuary

L’Anse-Saint-Jean, Quebec

• Co-opted independent director since 2021
• End of current term: 2029

Key areas of expertise

• Actuarial science
• Finance and accounting
• Financial services and insurance (wealth management and investments)
• Governance
• Risk management and compliance

Professional experience

Denis is a trained actuary (FCIA) with an MBA. He also has a master’s degree in social policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He’s an adjunct professor at Université Laval’s School of Actuarial Science. He spent 20 years working at the United Nations, first as a senior actuary then as chair of an international actuarial committee. His experience also includes serving as chief actuary of a government insurance company for 6 years, before becoming its vice-president of customer service, IT and finance, and a member of its management committee from 2007 to 2012. Denis also helped develop Quebec’s family policy, including as founding president of Conseil de gestion de l’assurance parentale. He has served on various boards, including insurance and reinsurance companies, and has chaired retirement committees. He is a chartered director (ASC).

Roles at Desjardins

Desjardins Group Retirement Committee; Vice-Chair, Desjardins Financial Security Life Insurance Company

Federation board committees and commissions

Member, Governance and Responsible Finance Commission

Past roles at Desjardins

• Director, Desjardins Financial Security (DFS) Life Insurance Company
• Member, DFS Audit and Risk Committee
• Member, DFS Investment Committee

PhD, FCPA, ASC, C.Dir

Co-opted director

Professor

Montreal, Quebec

• Co-opted independent director since 2021
• End of current term: 2029

Key areas of expertise

• Finance and accounting
• Financial services and insurance
• Governance
• Risk management and compliance

Professional experience

Michel is a distinguished research professor at Concordia University and the Stephen A. Jarislowsky Chair in Corporate Governance at the John Molson School of Business. He holds several accounting designations and a PhD in business administration from the University of Washington. He’s also actively involved in the business and professional community. Michel is a CIRANO Researcher and Fellow who specializes in analyzing issues related to innovation, capital markets, governance and decarbonization. He’s also a chartered director (ASC-C.Dir.) and a member of the Pension Committee and the investments subcommittee for the Pension Plan for the Employees of Concordia University.

Roles at Desjardins

• Director, Desjardins Trust; Chair, Desjardins Trust Audit committee
• Director; Desjardins Financial Corporation (DFC); Chair, DFC Audit and Risk Committee

Federation board committees and commissions

• Chair, Audit and Inspection Commission
• Member, Cooperation and Culture Commission
• Observer, Risk Management Commission (and US Risk Management)

Past roles at Desjardins

• Director, Desjardins General Insurance Group (DGIG); Chair, DGIG Audit and Risk Management Committee
• Director, Desjardins Securities

ASC, C.Adm.

Director

President of an IT Consulting Firm

Fossambault-sur-le-Lac, Quebec

• Elected independent director since 2022
• End of current term: 2030
• Director, Desjardins de Beauport
• Desjardins caisse director since 2020

Key areas of expertise

• Business modelling and strategy
• Governance
• Information technology
• Risk management and compliance (IT management and security)

Professional experience

Paula holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a university certificate in corporate governance (ASC). She has more than 30 years of private practice experience in information and communications technology management consulting. She’s also a member of the Ordre des administrateurs agréés du Québec (C.Adm.) and the École nationale d’administration publique. She supports the management teams of public-sector organizations working in government administration, shared services, telecommunications, insurance and finance. Before starting her own consulting firm in 2002, she held various management positions in IT consulting companies.

Roles at Desjardins

• Director, Desjardins Financial Corporation
• Member, Desjardins Trust Board of Directors; Member, Desjardins Trust Risk Management Committee
• Director, Desjardins Foundation
• Director, Alphonse Desjardins Historical Society

Federation board committees and commissions

• Member, Cooperation and Culture Commission
• Member, Risk Management Commission (and US Risk Management)

MASc, MSc

Director

Engineer

Montreal, Quebec

• Elected independent director since 2025
• End of current term: 2029
• Chair, Caisse Desjardins des Versants du mont-Royal Board of Directors since 2022.
• Desjardins caisse director since 2007

Key areas of expertise

• Advanced analytics, artificial intelligence and information technology
• Business modelling and strategy
• Culture and cooperation

Professional experience

René has a master’s degree in construction management from Stanford University and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Polytechnique Montréal. He is co-founder of a company specialized in developing artificial intelligence technologies, particularly for media content creators. He also has experience as a consultant and project director with companies that specialize in the life sciences, sustainable development and information technology, operating nationally and internationally. He has served as the general manager of two manufacturing companies.

Federation board committees and commissions

Member, Risk Management Commission (and US Risk Management)

C. Adm.

Director

Architect

Montreal, Quebec

• Elected independent director since 2021
• End of current term: 2028
• Vice-Chair, Caisse Desjardins du Plateau-Mont-Royal Board of Directors
• Desjardins caisse director since 2003

Key areas of expertise

• Business modelling and strategy
• Culture and cooperation
• Governance
• Sustainable development and responsible finance

Professional experience

Patricia-Ann is a graduate of McGill University and has been an architect for 30 years. She has LEED certification in the design and construction of sustainable buildings. Her architectural practice reflects her social responsibility goals and is broadly focused on housing for people in need. She is a chartered administrator and holds Sustainable Investment Professional Certification from Concordia University.

Roles at Desjardins

Director, Desjardins General Insurance Group; Director, Desjardins Security Fund

Federation board committees and commissions

Chair, Cooperation and Culture Commission