André J.P. Couillard is elected President of the IRCM Foundation

MONTREAL, June 6, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - During the IRCM Foundation's annual general meeting which was held yesterday, the directors elected a new Foundation President, André J.P. Couillard.

"I proudly accept this new responsibility," says Mr. Couillard. "I have been a member of the IRCM Foundation's Board for four years, during which time I had an opportunity to learn more about the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal and the importance of the research conducted here. The IRCM is truly a major research centre not only in Montréal, but one that reaches worldwide. I consider myself privileged to be able to contribute to its development by supporting, through the IRCM Foundation, its research projects, technological development and training activities."

The outgoing President, Alain Mayrand, took stock of the years he passed chairing the Board and presiding over the Foundation (1999 to 2013). He also thanked all Board members for their support and collaboration.

In addition, the directors elected three new Board members: Marie-Line Beauchamp, President of the St-Hubert Group's Restaurants division, Françoise Bertrand, President and CEO of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, and Robert Dupont, Partner at Heenan Blaikie law firm. They also thanked Joseph Paulin and Emmanuel Triassi, who decided not to renew their mandates.

About André J.P. Couillard
André J. P. Couillard is Vice-President of Optimum Talent Executive Search. He previously held several executive positions in Operations and Human Resources for national and international corporations. Mr. Couillard has been a member of the IRCM Foundation's Board of Directors since 2009 and is President of the ad hoc Recruitment Committee.

About Marie-Line Beauchamp
Marie-Line Beauchamp has been President of the St-Hubert Group's Restaurants division since March 2013. She has extensive experience in the field, namely as Operations Manager at Quaker, Sogsabec and Marriott, and as Executive Vice-President for Global Operations Management at Sodexo Canada, and Vice-President of Sustainable Development at Sodexo Paris.

About Françoise Bertrand
Françoise Bertrand is President and CEO of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (federation of Quebec's chambers of commerce). She has over 30 years of experience in senior management for major organizations. For example, in 1996, she became the first woman to chair the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). She is currently Chairperson of the Board for Quebecor Inc.

About Robert Dupont
Robert Dupont is Partner at Heenan Blaikie law firm. Mr. Dupont previously worked for Canadair Limited (today Bombardier Aerospace Limited) in both the Human Resources and Labour Relations departments. He is a member of the Barreau du Québec and the Canadian Bar Association. In 2011, 2012 and 2013, he was recognized as one of Canada's leading lawyers in the area of Labour and Employment Law by the Best Lawyers in Canada directory.

About the IRCM
The IRCM (www.ircm.qc.ca) is a renowned biomedical research institution located in the heart of Montréal's university district. Founded in 1967, it is currently comprised of 37 research units and four clinics specialized in cholesterol, hypertension, cystic fibrosis and diabetes and obesity. The IRCM is affiliated with the Université de Montréal, and maintains a long-standing association with McGill University. The IRCM Clinic is associated to the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM).

About the IRCM Foundation
Also created in 1967, the IRCM Foundation (www.ircm.qc.ca/fondation) raises funds to support the institute. The major fundraising campaign, Give for Life, aims to support the IRCM's research priorities in upcoming years. The campaign's objective has been set at 15 million dollars.

SOURCE: Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM)

For further information:

You can find the new members' complete biographies and the list of other IRCM Foundation Board members by visiting the website www.ircm.qc.ca/fondation.

Source:

Lucette Thériault
Communications Director, IRCM
514-987-5535
lucette.theriault@ircm.qc.ca

Julie Langelier
Communications Officer, IRCM
514-987-5555
julie.langelier@ircm.qc.ca