Biography

Martin Tremblay  President and Chief Executive Officer Solotech

This panel will showcase the decisive role CDPQ has played in these three Québec companies achieving their growth ambitions. CGI, QSL and Solotech executives will share their experiences and discuss challenges and opportunities in their respective industries. Together, they explore how collaboration with CDPQ strengthens their competitiveness on the international stage.

 

 

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Biography

 

Robert Bellisle

Mr. Bellisle has over 30 years of experience in the steel and maritime industries, during which he has gained profound knowledge of operations, marketing, and logistics.

He actively contributes to the evolution of the maritime industry, particularly through innovation, encouraging the development of high-performance technological tools within his teams to increase productivity, maximize logistics, enhance health and safety at work, optimize communications, and protect the environment. Moreover, he is committed to creating value in communities and collaborates closely with port authorities to contribute to their development, all while adhering to globally established standards.

He stands out for his ability to mobilize and rally his teams towards achieving ambitious growth objectives, all within a perspective of sustainable development and respect for all stakeholders. Mr. Bellisle has indeed participated in the United Nations Global Compact and Accenture's study on sustainable development and was the first to register a Canadian maritime company with the United Nations Global Compact. Under his leadership, QSL has been recognized for its sound governance, corporate culture, and entrepreneurial successes.

In addition to representing QSL in numerous charitable activities, he has established an annual philanthropic program in which he personally participates, benefiting associations supporting vulnerable groups. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Centre of Expertise in Port Logistics.

As the successor to Denis Dupuis, QSL’s Founder and President, Mr. Bellisle skillfully took over the reins, bringing his vision of innovation and sustainability while honoring the core values that built the company’s success. This strategic transition strengthened QSL’s position as a leader in the maritime industry. Since then, QSL has reached a new milestone with the arrival of key partners, iCON Infrastructure and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), as investors. This support accelerates QSL’s growth while staying true to its commitment to operational excellence and sustainable value creation for all stakeholders.
 

Julie Godin

As Co-Chair of the CGI Board of Directors, Ms. Godin collaborates with the Board to set the strategic direction of the company, including overseeing the development and execution of its rolling three-year strategic plan, which is updated annually. As part of this, she and the Board focus on achieving results for and maintaining equilibrium among CGI’s three stakeholders—clients, CGI Partners and shareholders—to ensure each stakeholders’ long-term success.

As Executive Vice-President of Strategic Planning and Corporate Development, Ms. Godin oversees the ongoing development of the CGI Management Foundation, which includes the key elements and best practices that define and guide the company’s actions for the benefit of all three stakeholders. She also leads the strategic planning, marketing & communications, human resources, and mergers & acquisitions functions. In this role, she directs the company’s continuous improvement through structured stakeholder insights and metrics, and drives forward the successful execution of the Build and Buy Strategy, equipping leaders to bring forward CGI’s end-to-end services and merging with firms that strengthen our footprint and capabilities.

A recognized leader in developing and executing the policies and approaches that contribute to CGI’s strong culture and successful long-term growth, Ms. Godin, throughout her CGI career, has led several additional functions across the company, including global business & strategic IT consulting, corporate performance, information technology, global business services and global security.

Earning a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Sherbrooke, Ms. Godin began her career in the field of corporate health. She founded Oxygen, a company that manages comprehensive health and well-being programs in the workplace. As CEO, she drove the firm’s strategic planning and growth, overseeing all operations and working closely with major clients. Oxygen merged its activities with those of CGI to offer CGI members a complete range of health and well-being services.

From 2017 to 2021, Ms. Godin was a member of the Board of Directors of CN, a transportation leader and the only transcontinental railroad in North America. In 2000, she co-founded the Godin Family Foundation, a non-profit organization that strives to reduce poverty, promote education and improve the health of children and teens in disadvantaged areas.

Kim Thomassin

As Executive Vice-President and Head of Québec, Kim Thomassin leads CDPQ’s investment strategy in Québec and financing and support activities for medium and large companies in the province. She also oversees the Québec investment and operating partner teams. She sits on the Executive Committee and on the Investment-Risk Committee. 

Before joining CDPQ in 2017, Ms. Thomassin was National Client Leader and Managing Partner for the Québec Region at McCarthy Tétrault. As a member of the Leadership Team, she contributed to the firm’s regional and national management while strengthening its national presence. In her 17 years at the firm, she held various important positions and specialized in project finance and acquisition transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors. She has been involved in several transactions related to large-scale Canadian and international projects. She has also represented public institutions and developers in connection with public-private partnerships.

Ms. Thomassin holds a B.C.L./LL.B. from Université Laval and a minor in psychology at McGill University. She also studied at the University of Western Ontario’s Faculty of Law. Ms. Thomassin is a member of the Québec Bar and the Canadian Bar Association.

CONNECTIONS
In addition to sitting on the Board of Directors of Alstom, Ms. Thomassin serves as Co-chair of the Mission Old Brewery’s Major Fundraising Campaign and of the Fondation du Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec’s major fundraising campaign. She also Co-chairs the Daffodil Ball, organized by the Canadian Cancer Society, and the L'Envolée benefit gala for the Mères avec pouvoir Foundation.

Martin Tremblay

Martin Tremblay has been President and Chief Executive Officer since 2017. From 2008 to 2016, Martin was President of Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment in Los Angeles, USA. During his tenure, the company became a highly successful worldwide videogame publisher with revenues in excess of $1.5B. Prior to this role, from 2006 to 2008, he was President of Vivendi Games Worldwide Studios in Los Angeles, USA, a world leader in videogames, during which time he led the company through its successful $18.1B merger with Activision to create the global interactive entertainment company now known as Activision Blizzard. 

From 1998 to 2006, Mr. Tremblay was President of Ubisoft Montreal, where he led the Montreal studios, strategically grew the company from 300 to 1,500 employees and played an important leadership role in ensuring its remarkable creative and commercial success.

Mr. Tremblay started his career in 1989 with the family business in the construction industry, holding various senior management roles for almost ten years. He holds a Finance degree in Business Administration from Université Laval and an M.B.A. from Université de Sherbrooke. He is a Quartier de l’innovation (Montreal) board member, a Université de Sherbrooke governor and a Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO) member. In 2017, Université Laval awarded him the prestigious Hermes prize in recognition for his high-profile international career. He also served for several years as a board member of the Electronic Software Association (ESA) and the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, both located in California in the United States. Mr. Tremblay is also socially involved in various organizations such as the Alzheimer Association, United Way and many other charity organizations that support people in need.