Françoise Bertrand
Encyclopedia
Françoise Bertrand is a business personality in Quebec. She has served as president and CEO of Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (Québec's Federation of Chambers of Commerce) since 2003.
and a master’s degree in Environmental Studies from Toronto’s York University
, Françoise Bertrand has more than thirty years of experience leading major organizations.
From 1980 to 1988, she pursued a career in senior management at the Université du Québec à Montréal
, where she held a variety of positions, including dean of resource management.
From there, she went on to become president and CEO of the Société de radio-télévision du Québec —now called Télé Québec— where she was responsible for refocusing the mission of the organization. As a result of her guidance, the company has since played a leading role in shaping Québec’s media landscape by providing quality programming renowned for its financial performance.
After a short stint with KPMG
, in 1996 Françoise Bertrand became the first woman to serve as chairperson of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). In this position, she steered the radio broadcasting and telecommunications sector toward greater convergence in order to encourage competition and corporate consolidation.
In 2001, Ms. Bertrand left the CRTC to become a partner at the SECOR Group, where she remained for three years. This return to consulting allowed her to share her strategic expertise with the senior managers and boards of directors of many companies in the communications, media and entertainment sectors of Montréal, Toronto and Paris.
Since 2003, she has served as the president and CEO of Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec. Linking more than 150 chambers of commerce and representing 60,000 companies and 100,000 members active in all sectors of the provincial economy, it is the most influential business network in Québec.
, member of the boards of the Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail, and FIDEC. As well, she is also a member of the Ordre des administrateurs agréés du Québec (the Order of Chartered Administrators of Québec) and has completed the order’s eighth professional-development program for administrators. In addition, she supports a wide variety of worthy causes, including the Montreal Symphony Orchestra
and the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal.
(NQO).
Biography
Holding a degree in sociology from the Université de MontréalUniversité de Montréal
The Université de Montréal is a public francophone research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It comprises thirteen faculties, more than sixty departments and two affiliated schools: the École Polytechnique and HEC Montréal...
and a master’s degree in Environmental Studies from Toronto’s York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
, Françoise Bertrand has more than thirty years of experience leading major organizations.
From 1980 to 1988, she pursued a career in senior management at the Université du Québec à Montréal
Université du Québec à Montréal
The Université du Québec à Montréal is one of four universities in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.-Basic facts:The UQAM is the largest constituent element of the Université du Québec , a public university system with other branches in Gatineau , Rimouski, Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec City, Chicoutimi, and...
, where she held a variety of positions, including dean of resource management.
From there, she went on to become president and CEO of the Société de radio-télévision du Québec —now called Télé Québec— where she was responsible for refocusing the mission of the organization. As a result of her guidance, the company has since played a leading role in shaping Québec’s media landscape by providing quality programming renowned for its financial performance.
After a short stint with KPMG
KPMG
KPMG is one of the largest professional services networks in the world and one of the Big Four auditors, along with Deloitte, Ernst & Young and PwC. Its global headquarters is located in Amstelveen, Netherlands....
, in 1996 Françoise Bertrand became the first woman to serve as chairperson of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). In this position, she steered the radio broadcasting and telecommunications sector toward greater convergence in order to encourage competition and corporate consolidation.
In 2001, Ms. Bertrand left the CRTC to become a partner at the SECOR Group, where she remained for three years. This return to consulting allowed her to share her strategic expertise with the senior managers and boards of directors of many companies in the communications, media and entertainment sectors of Montréal, Toronto and Paris.
Since 2003, she has served as the president and CEO of Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec. Linking more than 150 chambers of commerce and representing 60,000 companies and 100,000 members active in all sectors of the provincial economy, it is the most influential business network in Québec.
Boards
Throughout her career, Françoise Bertrand has served on the boards of directors of numerous organizations. She is currently Chair of the board of QuebecorQuebecor
Quebecor Inc. is a communications company based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It was founded by Pierre Péladeau, and remains run by his family. Quebecor Inc. owns 55% of Quebecor Media Inc...
, member of the boards of the Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail, and FIDEC. As well, she is also a member of the Ordre des administrateurs agréés du Québec (the Order of Chartered Administrators of Québec) and has completed the order’s eighth professional-development program for administrators. In addition, she supports a wide variety of worthy causes, including the Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is a symphony orchestra based in Montréal, Québec, Canada, with Montréal's Place des Arts as its home.-History:...
and the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal.
Awards and Honors
Françoise Bertrand is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the insignia of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor received in France in 2001. In 2007, she was named in Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 by Women's Executive Network (RFE), which recognizes her as one of the most influential women in the country. In 2008, she received the highest honor awarded by the Government of Quebec: the insignia of Chevalier of the National Order of QuebecNational Order of Quebec
The National Order of Quebec, termed officially in French as l'Ordre national du Québec, and in English abbreviation as the Order of Quebec, is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Quebec...
(NQO).