Board of Directors

Passionate about giving back and helping organizations reach their full potential, Jessica is a respected accounting professional and philanthropist, recognized for her extensive leadership on boards in the non-profit sector in Montreal and across Canada. A strong advocate for robust governance, Jessica completed the ICD-Rotman Not-for-Profit Governance Essentials Program (NFP). Currently, she sits on several renowned boards, including the World Wildlife Fund Canada, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee), the Brome Lake Boating Club (Treasurer), and PLUS1/PLUS1 USA. Her previous engagements include Apathy is Boring, L’École Buissonnière, and the David Suzuki Foundation. Bilingual in English and French, Jessica is engaged in continuous learning and constantly seeks to deepen her expertise. However, her greatest source of pride and joy remains her three children. Jessica Pathy holds a Bachelor’s degree with distinction from McGill University and is a Chartered Accountant.

Nathalie Lachance is a seasoned executive and experienced director with over twenty years in leadership positions at organizations such as Cossette, McCarthy Tétrault, Desjardins, and Ecosystem Energy, a North American firm dedicated to the performance of energy infrastructure. A specialist in organizational transformations, she has led large teams, steered growth strategies, and managed budgets of several hundred million dollars. She has served on numerous boards, both corporate and community-based, and has contributed to the Marie-Vincent board for over ten years, providing her expertise in management, strategy, and transformation.

Sonya Branco has over 20 years of experience as a finance executive, including 16 years at CAE as Vice-President and Corporate Controller, and Vice-President, Finance and CFO. Her diverse background includes valuable experience in public accounting and financial reporting, strategic planning, and mergers and acquisitions. Before joining CAE, Ms. Branco worked at BCE in M&A and at PricewaterhouseCoopers in audit and advisory services. Ms. Branco is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University and an MBA from the Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University. She has received numerous awards and is a gold medalist of the Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec. She was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2020 by the Women’s Executive Network.

“I deeply admire Marie-Vincent’s mission, which is to offer support to children and families. Their commitment to providing therapeutic care, support, and education is inspiring. I wish to contribute to these essential services and help advance the important work done to heal and empower those in need.”

Elisabeth Neelin is a partner at Langlois Lawyers. She focuses her practice on civil and commercial litigation and the defense of class actions touching on all facets of commercial law, including contractual and commercial disputes. She also possesses considerable expertise in manufacturer, product, and professional liability, as well as litigation and investigations related to consumer law and other regulated fields. She advises clients in the technology, social media, health, and manufacturing sectors on risk management and compliance regarding privacy, personal information protection, consumer protection, and language laws in Quebec.

A seasoned human resources professional recognized for collaborative leadership, strategic vision, and a keen understanding of human and organizational issues. She has solid experience in governance, talent management, organizational development, and executive coaching. She participates in several boards of directors and human resources committees, providing rigorous and constructive contributions to discussions on performance, culture, succession, and sound human capital management.

Patricia Châteauneuf, a Marie-Vincent director since 2021 and chair of the Communications and Philanthropy Committee since 2023, is a recognized leader in communications and media. A graduate in communications from UQAM and advertising from the Université de Montréal, she has led the television, digital, media creativity, branded content, and commercial production sales teams at Radio-Canada since 2014, overseeing 70 collaborators across Quebec. Patricia launched the “Bye-Bye de la Pub” in 2018 and has contributed to major partnerships, including the Olympic Games. Involved in the community, she sponsors philanthropic events like Fillactive and stood out through her participation in Leucan’s “The Audacious” initiative in 2023. Patricia helps develop the next generation through mentoring, speaks at conferences, and continues to promote women in business and the Marie-Vincent mission.

“I have sat on the Marie-Vincent Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2021 because giving back is a priority for me. Marie-Vincent’s mission of offering services under one roof to youth and adolescents who are victims of sexual abuse touches me deeply. I humbly wish to contribute to making a small difference and helping youth have a better future by helping Marie-Vincent fulfill its mission.”

Dominique Di Fiore earned her Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University and her Master’s in Management, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship from Queen’s University. Her experience in startups allowed her to launch her own business in 2020. As co-owner of the D2 Psychology Clinic, she ensures its smooth operation by managing all operational and administrative aspects. The clinic, located in Westmount, offers a variety of psychological services, including assessments and individual or couple therapy. Additionally, since 2007, Dominique has supported several charitable organizations in her community.

For over twenty years, Judith Dorvil has worked at the intersection of communications, leadership, and business strategy. She advises executives, institutions, and companies on positioning, reputation management, and creating clear and valuable strategic narratives. Founder of Judith Communications, a consulting firm specializing in strategic communication and investor relations, she transforms communication into a lever for growth and credibility. Her analytical and human approach has served diverse sectors, including entertainment, finance, health, and education. She plays an essential role in the strategic outreach of the Citadelle Capital fund and contributes to communications for the Strategic Management and Leadership Certification at HEC Montréal. Judith has also served as Executive Director for the organization Le Temps d’une Pause. An accomplished entrepreneur, she is the founder of Les Mimis, a natural hair care range for children.

Entrepreneur and consultant Alison Green is an influential figure in home care and health innovation in Quebec. Founder of Bien Chez Soi, a franchise network with over 40 locations across Quebec, she works toward a compassionate and human-centered approach. Vice-President and co-founder of the Association des Soins à Domicile du Québec and a board member of BenaCare in Kenya, Alison is actively committed to promoting innovative solutions. She leverages her expertise to influence care policies and accessibility to essential services. Passionate about sharing knowledge to help organizations and individuals reach their full potential, she also advocates for a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem for women in business. Alison is a recipient of the Prix Femmes d’affaires du Québec and the Evol Impact Leader Award.

Annie Martin embodies a remarkable commitment to community causes, particularly those supporting youth and vulnerable families. Currently the Director of Outreach and Communications at the Office of the President of Sun Life in Quebec, she oversees major initiatives in public relations and philanthropy. A graduate of UQAM and certified in governance, she has held strategic roles at Moisson Rive-Sud, the Fondation Les Petits Trésors, and the Montérégie CAVAC, where she chaired the board. She is also an ambassador for the Laurent Duvernay-Tardif Foundation. Her involvement at Marie-Vincent reflects her passion for governance and her desire to improve the lives of young victims of sexual violence.

Sébastien Perron-Carle is a Managing Director and Group Head in the Investment Banking team at Scotiabank in Quebec. In this role, he advises Quebec companies on mergers, acquisitions, and financing projects. Before joining Scotiabank, Sébastien spent over a decade in a similar department at another Canadian chartered bank. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from HEC Montréal and an MBA from INSEAD.

Jean-Marc Potvin currently acts as a health and social services consultant. He previously served as an expert commissioner for the Special Commission on Children’s Rights and Youth Protection from 2019 to 2021. With long experience in the health network, he served as Director of Youth Protection in the Laurentians and then in Montreal (1999–2008), and as CEO of the Centre jeunesse de Montréal Institut universitaire (2008–2015). He also served as Associate President and CEO at the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal. Throughout his career, he has participated in many working groups regarding the implementation of the Youth Protection Act.

Xavier is a business and talent leader with 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Holding an MBA, he joined IG Wealth Management in 2021 after leading teams at Desjardins and National Bank of Canada, where he successfully contributed to the evolution of business practices in wealth management, banking, and financing. In his role as Managing Director, Practice Management, he focuses on business development and planning, as well as the design and implementation of strategic initiatives aimed at market growth. Clients are at the heart of his concerns, and he understands the importance of their experience in an ultra-competitive and transforming market.

A trained lawyer, Marie-Claude Vernier began her career specializing in litigation, including civil litigation, commercial litigation, and professional liability at a major private firm. She also leveraged her experience in litigation and regulatory investigations at National Bank Financial. With over 10 years of experience in the financial industry, she now leads a team of more than 50 advanced financial planning professionals supporting National Bank Financial’s wealth management advisors.

Getting involved with Marie-Vincent feels like a natural fit, as the cause is close to her heart, as is the well-being of young people in general. Not only has she served as a member of a school board, but she also co-founded an organization whose mission is to raise awareness about the hypersexualization of young women. For these reasons, she is committed to supporting these vulnerable children and adolescents.

“Marie-Vincent’s mission is essential in a society where the needs are glaring.”

Jean Vincent sits on numerous boards, including Cogir Real Estate, Assuris, the First Nations Financial Management Board, and the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA). A trustee of the First Nations Market Housing Fund and a commissioner for the National Battlefields Commission, he served as Vice-Grand Chief of the Huron-Wendat Nation from 2008 to 2018. Jean Vincent is also a Fellow of the Order of Chartered Professional Accountants (FCPA, FCA) and a Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM). Through his expertise, he actively contributes to Marie-Vincent’s mission in favor of young victims of sexual violence.