Each McGill-HEC Montréal EMBA cohort has the incredible opportunity to be accompanied by by a patron. This leader is invited a few times over the course of the program to share her experience with the group, to reflect with them, and even, to challenge them.

The most recent McGill-HEC Montréal EMBA cohort which began in September 2021 has the honor of Ms. Madeleine Féquière’s involvement as its official patron.

Ms. Madeleine Féquière is currently the Corporate Credit Chief of Domtar Corporation. She is a senior finance professional with over 30 years of experience, around the world, in corporate credit administration, credit risk & operations, credit enhancement and global trade. She is heavily involved in business and humanitarian causes through decades of participation on numerous public, governmental and non-profit boards and committees.

When she met her cohort for the first time, Ms. Féquière highlighted a great lesson, particularly important in this period of uncertainty and profound changes: “Never Stop Growing.”

 “Two years ago, our world looked entirely different than it does today. And by the time each of you finish your course, it will have changed even more — and in ways we cannot imagine right now.

So, fundamentally the lesson the pandemic has taught us is that we cannot be afraid to evolve, to change and to lead with the times. If we are, we are damned to irrelevance in a world that refuses to be restrained by convention or even our own limited imagination.”

Ms. Féquière also took the time to detail what “Never Stop Growing” meant for her in five key learnings:

  1. It is what you do for others that counts most… remember that the ultimate achievement is to take your life from success to significance.
  2. Fail more…. Fear has no place in the success equation and failure will teach you more than you realize.
  3. Leading with authenticity is your distinct competitive advantage.
  4. Avoid limited goals… throw away the rulebook and embrace new opportunities.
  5. Develop an ESG mindset.

 

«The leaders of the future are those who understand how to do well, while doing good ».

It is with this affirmation that Ms. Féquière concluded her speech. An idea that will hopefully remain in the minds of participants well after they graduate from the McGill-HEC Montréal Executive MBA program.