Montréal, September 21, 2021. Evol has unveiled the composition of its first board of directors, to be presided over by Cadleen Désir. This appointment follows the announcement of the change of brand identity from Femmessor to Evol and the expansion of its mission to support even more businesses with diversified, inclusive ownership that generate positive impacts aligned with the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals.
A socially engaged entrepreneur, Ms. Désir has over 20 years of experience in health and education. She is the CEO and founder of Déclic, a network of professionals who work with children with special needs. Advocating authentic leadership and recognized for its inclusive vision of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, Ms. Désir is involved in a number of organizations, including the Groupement des chefs d’entreprise, as chair of its board, YMCAs of Québec and the government’s advisory committee on local and regional economical and development. Ms. Désir has also been on the board of directors of Femmessor since 2018.
“I am honoured at this sign of confidence from the board of directors and excited by this new mandate,” said Cadleen Désir, President of the board of directors of Evol. “I have always dreamed of being involved in major projects that are catalysts of social change. In this period of economic recovery, Evol embodies the change we want to see and leave to future generations: an inclusive, sustainable economy. Much work lies ahead, but we are enthusiastic to contribute to it by leveraging the potential of entrepreneurs in search of equity who offer sustainable solutions to challenges in our society.”
Twelve directors were appointed at the end of the last annual general meeting. The members of the Evol board of directors for 2021-2022 are:
- Cadleen Désir, President (CEO and founder, Déclic)
- Geneviève Verrier, Vice-President (Founding President, Investissement Bleu Horizon)
- Marie-Noël Grenier, Treasurer (President, Jambette)
- Louise Sanscartier, Secretary (ASC Corporate Director and Governance Consultant)
- Marc Bouchard, Director (Senior Director, Credit Authorizations and Investment, Compliance and Operations Support, Investissement Québec)
- Guylaine Caux, Director (President and CEO, Groupe Conseil SCT Inc.)
- Luis Cisneros, Director (Professor, Département d’Entrepreneuriat et Innovation, HEC Montréal)
- Alain-Olivier Desbois, Director (President, Elements Financial Inc.)
- Marie-Christine Gagnon, Director (Marie-Christine Gagnon, lawyer specialized in Indigenous law)
- Édith Gauthier, Director (General Manager, Agrosol)
- Sylvain Toutant, Director (Manager and Corporate Director)
- Anik Trudel, Director (CEO, Lavery de Billy, LLP)
“We are proud to announce the composition of our new board of directors, made up of people with complementary profiles and impressive track records,” said Sévrine Labelle, CEO of Femmessor. “We will harness the plurality of our strengths to fully deploy Evol and to create economic progress in an equitable, inclusive, and sustainable fashion.”
About Evol
Operating in Quebec’s 17 regions, Evol (formerly Femmessor) is an organization financially supported by the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie (MEIE) and the Government of Canada through its Women Entrepreneurship Strategy. Evol’s mission is to contribute directly to the creation, growth and acquisition of diversified, inclusive businesses that have a positive impact on society.
Its financing offer, combined with a personalized mentoring experience and adapted complementary services, enables entrepreneurs to build sustainable, prosperous businesses.
Through partnerships with the Government of Quebec (with Investissement Québec as agent), National Bank, BDC, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, and Fondaction, Evol offers financing and mentoring to businesses with diversified, inclusive ownership that generate positive impacts in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Media contact:
Véronique Dargis
1 844 523-7767, ext. 213
v.dargis@evol.ca
For more information about Evol: evol.ca
