From an early age, and in the different countries where she has lived, Meriem has been involved in various socio-environmental initiatives and charities. Committed to contributing to a more diverse and inclusive world, she has held roles in impact-driven organizations which have enabled her to develop expertise in partnership management, project management, business development, and marketing. As partnership and member services advisor at Réseau Environnement, then director of partnerships and sponsorships at Evol, she has supported individual and organizational entrepreneurs in the creation and growth of socio-environmental impact projects. Guided by her motto—“dream, desire, dare, accomplish”—she joins MIS in 2024 seeking to contribute to the development of social innovation in Quebec.

A CHALLENGE? “To rally and mobilize ecosystem players by co-developing a common vision for strong, positive social impact.”

With a Master’s degree in public administration and a Bachelor’s degree in international law and international relations, Marie-Christine began her career at the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM). As the manager of metropolitan development and diversity, she developed an extensive and diversified network of stakeholders involved in entrepreneurship, immigration and education, investing her creativity and listening skills to promote the deployment of many networking activities and programs. When the City of Montreal created the Newcomer Office (BINAM – Bureau d’intégration des nouveaux arrivants à Montréal), Marie-Christine was assigned the task of its implementation and management. Under her direction, and thanks to her strategic vision and her capacity to deliver large-scale projects, BINAM became a recognised actor on the local and the international level. With her worldwide connections and deep commitment to inter-cultural and inter-faith dialogue, Marie-Christine authored a book in 2017 entitled “Aime comme Montréal” (with a play on the letter “M” for “Montreal” and the word “Aime”, meaning love). In this book, 60 inter-cultural couples tell their stories in an ode to diversity. The book has been accompanied by a series of exhibitions in collaboration with leading institutions like Montreal’s Musée des Beaux Arts. Marie-Christine joined MIS as Executive Director in 2023 to support the organization in its next phase of deployment and impact.

A CHALLENGE? “To make the Maison d’innovation sociale (MIS) a key ally in meeting today’s social and environmental needs.”

Virginie has always been touched by the vulnerability and resilience of living beings and she has been working for more than twenty years in her search to find a positive balance between human beings and nature. Specializing in environment and sustainable development, then in territorial planning and socio-economic development, she experimented with regional approaches to consultation in the public sector and explored how education, technologies, design and the animation of collective intelligence could be used as levers to solve contemporary societal problems. She then decided to make the leap into the entrepreneurial world to support the innovation of organizations and communities, cofounding a living laboratory for the rehabilitation of agroecosystems in Montérégie. It became a reference in the implementation of complex projects, linking research, actors in the field and citizens. At the MIS, she guides and equips the team and partners in their reflections, designs, adaptations and in the management collective projects.

A challenge? « To STIMULATE THE ADAPTATION OF INDIVIDUAL PRACTICES AND MODELS OF COLLECTIVE PROJECTS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR CAPABILITIES IN ACCELERATING THE ECOLOGICAL TRANSITION SPECIFIC TO THE REALITY OF EACH COMMUNITY. »

Even when she was young, Stéphanie loved numbers, columns and calculations, but also saw order as the proper state of affairs. With her Cartesian nature, she pursued studies in administration and accounting, and began a career that led to the Autorité des marchés financiers (the French Financial Markets Authority). For more than fifteen years, she navigated between accounts payable/receivable, billing, collections, and the management of disputes with client and supplier accounts. Bank reconciliation, a real headache for some, is child’s play for her (even if we do not tell her that!). The MIS’s mission and its human scale were like love-at-first-sight for Stéphanie, convincing her to revolutionize her long-standing career to join the team as coordinator in administration and logistics. Since then, she has pivoted between numbers and logistics, calculation and action, accounting and coordination, and represents a true pillar on which the team relies with confidence and affection.

A challenge? « To PROVIDE AGILITY TO SUPPORT THE MULTITUDE OF MIS PROJECTS, WHICH CONTINUally helps me to become more open and gives meaning to everything I DO. »

An economist by training, Ghyslain began his career in the cultural sector before moving to the private sector in the entertainment industry. He has held several positions in project management, as general manager and as a strategic consultant, in Paris and Montréal. He then joined the Société des arts technologiques (SAT) in the administrative department and as co-director general. After 12 years at the SAT, he is now enthusiastically committed to the MIS project, passionate about contributing to the deployment of this young NPO. Eager to align the team’s ambitions with the human and financial resources available to the organization, his colleagues recognize him as “the man who says no before saying maybe!” Nevertheless, his ability to mobilize private and public stakeholders around exciting projects is undeniable and his agility to do much with little contributes to the vitality of the MIS.

A challenge? « To Identify the most cost-effective human and financial resources to support the development of social innovation actors throughout the Québec region. »

A devotee of choral singing, Laurence knows how to bring voices into harmony not only in music, but also in projects with a social and environmental impact. She has worked extensively in a variety of industries, including advertising and public relations, healthcare, the media, urban agriculture, and the social and circular economy. The position she held most recently, at Centrale agricole, introduced her to social innovation and its positive impact on communities. Her master’s degree in marketing communications, as well as her recent professional experience in Vancouver and Montréal, equip her to be a strong advocate for MIS.

A CHALLENGE? “To foster innovative, humane projects embodying the social changes communities want to see unfold around them.”

Trained as an engineer, Benoît worked for 10 years in automotive development project management. In 2010, after training in general management of socially-oriented organizations, he embarked on a new professional adventure managing residences for the elderly (CHSLD). After immigrating to Montreal in 2015, he worked for a newly-engaged NGO managing major multi-projects as Director of Administration and Finance. In 2019, he returns to caregivers and seniors living with neurocognitive disorders by restructuring a community organization in Montreal as Executive Director. He has just completed an Executive MBA at UQAM.

A challenge? “Implement efficient processes and propose management tools adapted to the needs of the teams in order to support and reinforce the impact of the projects carried out at the Maison de l’innovation sociale.”

Thomas began his career in geopolitics after completing a Master’s in business intelligence at King’s College in London. He has worked in Europe and the United States for consulting firms specializing in political, security and governance risk management. Over a period of 10 years, Thomas completed over 100 consulting mandates in 20 countries on three continents, all in four languages. This experience has given him insight into the impacts of economic activities and public policy on our lifestyles both here and abroad. This prompted him to get involved in the socio-ecological transition. After completing advanced management studies at Harvard Business School, Thomas led several consulting teams from Montreal dedicated to territorial development and the social economy. In 2022, he was named one of “250 Emerging Leaders” by Canada’s Governor General. He joins MIS as director of strategic coaching, then head program director, to support the emergence of a greater number and wider diversity of social innovations.

A CHALLENGE? “Translating analysis into action to create opportunities for innovation.”

A psychosociologist by training, André has over 30 years’ experience in group facilitation, training, project management, social arts, and the development of educational tools. Since 1995, he has been interested in creative processes and collaborative approaches such as laboratories, co-creation, and social design. He has developed numerous educational strategies in circus arts and human rights, and has served as head of public education at Solidarité Union Coopération (SUCO). At the Institut du Nouveau Monde (INM), he coordinated more than fifty citizen participation and consultation projects, and acted as creative animation and innovation consultant. André is particularly noted for his ability to develop creative experiences in the French-speaking world. In that capacity, the Fondation J. Armond Bombardier and Arts et la Ville have both welcomed him as an innovator-in-residence.He is the co-author of two books—Le Guide pratique sur l’impact (2018) and Se développer en rhizome : guide pratique sur la cocréation (2021)—both of which he will put into practice in the context of his duties at MIS.

A CHALLENGE? “To reveal the creative potential of each person and organization as a lever of action, and to demonstrate the relevance of creativity in every sphere of societal activity.”

Originally from Bas-Saint-Laurent, Malik spent his childhood on the shores of the river, broadening his horizons on the world and developing his sensitivity to environmental causes. He obtained a diploma in Cultural Anthropology in Montreal and a master’s degree in Applied Cultural Analysis in Sweden, where he was particularly interested in the creation of a voicebot for tourists and its repercussions on our relationship with artificial intelligence and technology. Malik quickly realized that ethnographic and qualitative research could greatly enhance the adoption of innovations and strengthen the impact of projects and the organizations behind them. After several years of experience in strategic planning, innovation, and sustainable development in the manufacturing sector, he joined MIS in 2024, driven by the desire to use his curiosity and empathy to create more sustainable and supportive living environments.

A CHALLENGE? “Increase the impact of regulatory innovation projects by deploying a human-centered methodology and adapting it to the needs of change agents.”

Claire is passionate about understanding and solving complex problems. In other words, knots in the brain. After all, there’s nothing more satisfying than untangling them, isn’t there? With a master’s degree in international business, she first evolved in the fields of technology and consulting, and now has solid expertise in change management, as well as purchasing and user experience. A tireless seeker of meaning herself, Claire is deeply involved in socio-environmental initiatives. Gifted with a deep resilience and a tireless curiosity for human issues, she knows how to stimulate minds to enable everyone to go deeper and create impact. Sensitive to human values and the playground that the MIS represents, she joins the team to make positive-impact projects shine.

A CHALLENGE? “To rekindle a sense of wonder among change leaders by contributing to the realization of positive-impact projects so that all of society benefits.”

What makes a person an agent of change? And how can we best empower them to reach their full potential and create solutions to structural challenges in society? These are the questions Sarah has always been passionate about. After receiving her master’s degree in management with a specialization in entrepreneurship, she worked in France and Switzerland, within the Ashoka network, to develop her expertise in the fields of social innovation and community support. In Montreal, Sarah has engaged with both local and national mobilization projects. She has joined MIS to expand these incubation programs and to support projects with socio-environmental impact. A good listener, determined and articulate, Sarah knows how to identify and connect the needs and strengths of individuals to create effective and creative collaborations.

A CHALLENGE? “Creating a fire from the spark in the hearts of those who dream of changing the world by giving them the tools to bring their vision to life.”

Claudia has over 10 years’ experience in design, management, entrepreneurship, consulting and innovation, mainly with SMEs and in the health, workplace wellness and sustainable development sectors. With a bachelor’s degree in industrial design, a master’s degree in design and complexity and a certificate in circular economy, she combines global thinking and a systems approach to complex challenges. She has piloted transdisciplinary projects of provincial scope and led a think tank in workplace wellness, mobilizing multidisciplinary teams, including research, to develop unique and sustainable solutions. Today, Claudia is committed to contributing to a better world by playing a key role in promoting strategic design, social innovation and transformational leadership, aimed at transforming organizations towards a more preventive and inclusive Quebec society.

A challenge? “To be continued…”

After studying industrial design at the Université de Montréal, Guillaume-Félix began his career with a social science research, evaluation, and consulting firm. Through the various mandates entrusted to him, he developed a growing interest in social issues. Seeking to make a tangible difference in people’s lives, he turned to community work, where he collaborated with numerous partners on issues of food security and socio-ecological transition and benefited from a practical approach to the notions of complexity and systemic issues. Seeking to increase his social outreach and a more in-depth reform of society, Guillaume-Félix became increasingly interested in social innovation. He therefore went back to school to complete an advanced graduate diploma (DESS) in Social Innovation Management at HEC Montréal. Equipped with new tools and additional methods related to this field of practice, he joined the MIS team in 2024 as a consulting analyst.

UN DÉFI? “To offer the possibility of positively transforming society through emancipatory, co-engineered social innovations, where people and the environment are put to the fore.”

Convinced of the importance of experiential learning, Greg has been involved in various pedagogical and research projects in both Canada and Colombia. While pursuing his Master’s degree, he had the opportunity to work with the Laboratory for Research and Innovation in Culture and Development at the Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar, where he also held the position of Director of the Foreign Languages Department. One of his research projects focused on urban wetlands in Cartagena and aimed to shed light on the negotiations that take place between different social actors as they attempt to create more sustainable communities. He is currently a PhD candidate in the Humanities program at Concordia University. His research examines transportation habits of newcomers to Montreal with a view to identifying mobility barriers in the urban landscape. Greg has also conducted research on urban sustainability as part of Concordia’s Climate Colab initiative and through a bilateral collaboration with the University of Basel.

A CHALLENGE? “Create new ways to collaborate to the complex social and environmental problems of our time, while developing our collective capacities.”

In three parts of the world – Quebec, Peru and France – Raphael maintains his social commitments, work, and love for his family. Social justice issues are one of his deepest motivations, having himself navigated fragmented circumstances in different regions from a young age. After time spent in the field of economics, Raphaël discovered that design was a useful practice that took him from abstract to object, enabling him to act concretely in the real world. He earned an undergraduate degree in product design, followed by a Master’s in design research at École de Design de l’Université Laval. Since then, Raphaël has collaborated with numerous community and municipal organizations, particularly in the cultural sector, combining his knowledge from both educational paths. His ability to make connections helps him to inject new insights into innovation processes. For Raphaël, the impossible is just a question of perspective. He applies this motto to his work each day at MIS.

A CHALLENGE? “Helping project leaders put their ideas into perspective and maximize their impact by looking at systemic issues ingrained in the challenges of socio-ecological transition.”

Always conscious of environmental and social issues – even as a child, picking up empty bottles and cigarette butts in the ditches of his native countryside -, it was while studying engineering that Loïc became active in the NGO Engineers Without Borders Canada and discovered the complexity of human systems. His interest in cooperation and cultural exchanges led to work on three continents. After earning his M.A. in public administration, Loïc became involved in housing, first as a project manager in the cooperative housing movement, then in affordable housing policies and programs within a federal public entity. At the same time, he was actively involved in various social and political organizations. His eclectic career path and strategic instinct are valuable assets in his strategic advisory role with MIS, particularly in the areas of governance, organizational management, planning, and evaluation.

A CHALLENGE? “Channelling collective intelligence to generate solutions for the complex challenges faced by agents of change.”

In addition to a B.A. in visual arts and interactive media from UQAM and an M.A. in design theory from the Université de Montréal’s Lab Ville prospective, Sarah has a wealth of professional experience that has enabled her to develop her creativity, agility, and ability to collaborate. Having worked for several years in the digital-arts and creativity sector, she’s eager to transfer her skills to projects with a social mission. Sarah joins the strategic coaching team at the Maison de l’innovation sociale (MIS) with the broad goal of understanding and solving complex problems. In seeking to help build a fairer, more equitable future, she brings her open mind, ability to identify emerging trends, and mastery of foresight-approach strategies. More specifically, she strives to explore the various ways in which the world of tomorrow can be co-designed. With MIS, she hopes to help accelerate the social transition by fostering the emergence of new sustainable lifestyles.

A CHALLENGE? “Investigate the complex problems organizations face, and co-construct novel solutions tailored to both their reality and their desired social and environmental impact.”