Honourable senators, it is with great pride that I introduce you today to an icon of the Haitian community in Canada. This great lady has 35 years of experience in the largest corporations in the world in corporate credit administration, credit risk and operations, and international trade. She holds a directors education program diploma in governance from the Rotman School of Management of the University of Toronto. She has an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. She also has a mini-MBA from the McGill Executive Institute.

She earned a certificate in finance from HEC Montréal jointly with the Credit Institute of Canada. She was corporate credit chief at Domtar Corporation since 2008. She is a co-founder of the Excellence Québec initiative, an entity that ensures the inclusion of Blacks in boards of directors. Our colleague, Senator Gerba, is also part of that group.

She actively worked to support the challenges of diversity, equality and inclusion by integrating promising young leaders into the management, finance and governance communities. She has implemented innovative strategies and deployed efficient credit structures across the Americas and in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Throughout her career, she has demonstrated her adaptability and leadership as she has held global executive positions in diverse sectors, including culture, health, education, agri-food, technology and telecommunications. Despite her heavy workload, she became involved in community development initiatives in our home country, Haiti, such as Fonkoze and KANPE. These foundations accompany and support the most vulnerable Haitians on the path to financial autonomy.

Ms. Féquière was invested into the Order of Canada on May 25, 2022, in recognition of her distinguished career and achievements. On November 9, the Minister of Foreign Affairs appointed her as the Consul General in Chicago, in the United States.

Esteemed colleagues, I have outlined Madeleine Féquière’s impressive career. Please join me in congratulating her and wishing her success in her new endeavours. Thank you.