Board of directors

Olivier Poitier, a French-Canadian who has lived in Toronto for over 10 years, brings more than 25 years of experience in the international healthcare sector. He founded GenTech101 in 2016, a MedTech business consulting firm, and UpCare Partners & Associates Inc. in 2019, specializing in the provision, implementation, and clinical support of technologies 

medical expertise in the field of neuroscience. In 2023, he co-founded UpCare Europe in Nice, with plans to establish a company in the United States in 2024 to enter the neurosurgery market. His expertise includes entrepreneurship, leadership, ethical decision-making, integrity, and communication—assets he wishes to bring to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Club of Toronto to foster the organization's growth, innovation, and sustainability. 

Originally from Quebec, Genevieve Grenier has lived in the Toronto area for nearly 20 years. Genevieve is a member of the Ontario CPA Order and was awarded the title of Fellow by her association in 2014 for her commitment to the profession. She currently holds the position of Director of Member Development at CPA Canada. Prior to joining CPA Canada, she was Senior Director of Finance and Technology at Rona. For several years, she has been involved in Ontario's Francophone community; she has represented the Peel Region on the MonAvenir Francophone School Board since 2014, where she currently serves as Chair. Her community involvement has also led her to serve on various audit committees. She now considers herself a proud Franco-Ontarian and is happy to be raising her two daughters in an environment that values ​​French.

Director of Collège Boréal's Toronto campus since 2019, Gilles Marchildon has held leadership positions in numerous public organizations in the fields of education, health, human rights, and culture. Among other roles, he served as Executive Director of the Greater Toronto Area's French Language Services Planning Entity (Reflet Salvéo, now Entity 3) from 2014 to 2019. A native of Penetanguishene, two hours north of Toronto, he has been deeply committed to Ontario's Francophone community for four decades. In recent years, he served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Fondation franco-ontarienne. Previously, he was Chair of the Board of Directors of the Association des communautés francophones de l'Ontario – Toronto (ACFO-Toronto) and Co-Chair of the City's Francophone Advisory Committee. He continues to serve on the City of Toronto's Seniors and Long-Term Care Services Committee.

Director of the Toronto campus
Boreal College

Régis Joseph has lived in Toronto since 2005, where he works in economic development for the federal government. He holds a master's degree from the Institut Supérieur du Commerce (ISC) in Paris and is a CPA. He has over 18 years of experience in accounting and finance. Throughout his career, he has worked in various industries, including telecommunications, consumer goods, financial services, and property management. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports (basketball, cycling, skating) and spending time with his family playing board games.

Originally from France, Ronan Le Guern has lived in Toronto since 2013, where he has built the majority of his career and professional network within several Francophone institutions. With extensive expertise in marketing and communications, he worked as a press attaché at the Consulate General of France in Toronto, and later for Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. He subsequently held the position of communications manager at Collège Boréal before joining TFS – Canada's International School, where he now serves as Director of Marketing and Communications. Ronan Le Guern holds a Master of Laws in Civil Law from Lyon 3 University and a Master of Laws in International Law from Paris Panthéon-Sorbonne University.

I am ready to contribute to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Club of Toronto with my expertise in communications strategy and public relations, and my extensive network in the business, government, media, education, and community sectors, both in Ontario, Quebec, and internationally. Furthermore, I would be delighted to share my expertise in grant-seeking strategies. I am prepared to bring my professionalism and unique interpersonal communication skills, which provide me with a distinctive multicultural perspective and approach.

Dear members of the Canadian Club,
Dear members of the Selection Committee,
I am running for the Board of Directors of the Canadian Club because I support the Club's mission, which is to be: a forum offering meetings and lunches for people in the Francophone community from business, academic, cultural and governmental circles.
I would like to contribute my extensive knowledge in community development and the promotion of Francophone culture in all its diversity.
I am looking for a volunteer opportunity in a Francophone organization where I can get involved again.
Thank you for your consideration.

Professor Charles H. Cho, PhD in Business Administration, is Professor of Sustainability Accounting at York University's Schulich School of Business. With extensive experience in audit and taxation at KPMG LLP, his research focuses on social accounting, CSR, and public accounting. In addition to contributing to prestigious academic journals, he is a board member of the Centre for Social and Environmental Accounting Research. Internationally recognized with distinctions such as the Honourable Knight Award, he demonstrates a consistent commitment to innovation, exemplified by initiatives such as Accounting for Impact. His community involvement, including with the Montreal YWCA Foundation, strengthens his candidacy for the board of directors of the Canadian Club of Toronto. 

Eunice, a passionate communicator based in Toronto, is the founder of U-EVENT, a French-speaking communications and event agency. With an educational background and a passion for marketing, she is adept at using data to influence marketing strategies. As a master of ceremonies, host, and event planner, she collaborates with diverse clients to create memorable experiences that reflect their brands. Her initiative, creativity, and organizational skills, combined with her willingness to take on challenges, make her a determined professional, ready to excel in the fields of marketing and communications. 

Arriving in Toronto in 2007 without resources or connections, Abel Maxwell has become a UNESCO-award-winning artist, a bestselling author, and a renowned speaker who inspires young people while maintaining a noble vision for the future of humanity.

Holding an MBA (marketing and finance concentration) and a postgraduate diploma from the Conservatoire national de Lyon, Abel has put his expertise to use for several organizations such as Ricoh Canada and notably the Centre francophone du Grand Toronto as Head of Communications where he was responsible for increasing the visibility of the organization and establishing major partnerships at the political, legal and Francophone immigration level in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

He has also been involved in several Boards of Directors such as the Breault Foundation, the University of Quebec in Outaouais, ANIM and Franco-Fête of Toronto.

Having recorded four full albums, he has attracted nearly 100,000 followers thanks to his consistent presence across all his social media platforms. A renowned influencer, Abel Maxwell became the president of the communications firm AM International in late 2019.

Claire Citeau, Executive Director of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Canada (EUCCAN), is a seasoned professional with diverse experience. Currently advising the European-Canadian Trade and Investment Association (CEUTIA), she is also the Founder and President of Trade Bridges, an international trade consulting firm with offices in Ottawa, Brussels, and London. Holding senior fellowships at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa and the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, she makes significant contributions to academia. With a distinguished track record as former Executive Director of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) and various roles in the public and private sectors, Claire is a strategic leader with extensive international experience. 

I was born in Toronto to Quebec parents, both of whom worked in French-language education. I was fortunate to receive my elementary and secondary education in French, and I have a daughter in Grade 6 who attends a French-language school in Brampton. Today, I work in IT consulting, focusing on operational efficiency, and I'm navigating the digital transformation of our economy. Outside of work, I enjoy outdoor activities: snowboarding, skiing, and skating in the winter; cycling, woodland adventures, and camping in the summer—all within easy reach of Toronto!

With an engineering background and a passion for digital technologies and the richness of human culture, Rizwan Hasan has specialized in consulting and sales of engineering services and customer relationship management (CRM) solutions for over two decades. His experience has allowed him to travel, live, and work on five continents, giving him a broad perspective on human relationships (soft skills) on both a personal and professional level. Hasan is also an elected member of the Corporation of Collège International Marie de France. Finally, he is a mentor with the Mentoring Network and for RésOntario.

Alexis Maquin is a dedicated professional with extensive experience in business management and development, having served as general manager of a training center and founder of two companies. Holding two master's degrees in history and international management, Alexis has studied and worked in numerous countries, including France, Northern Ireland, Belgium, Malta, Canada, the United States, and Peru. Having held senior positions in various industries, including education, brewing, and landscaping, he will bring his expertise to the Canadian Club of Toronto.

General Manager
Canadian Club of Toronto