Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: May 25, 2009
• Invested on: April 07, 2010

With extraordinary dedication and enthusiasm, Hélène Desmarais plays an active role in socio-economic and cultural development at both the local and provincial levels. She is especially dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship, and has founded and chairs a variety of organizations, including the Société d'Investissements Jeunesse andthe Centre d'entreprises et d'innovation de Montréal, which has helped to launch over 300 new Quebec companies. A number of other organizations have also benefited from her leadership skills. She is the first woman to chair the board of directors of HEC Montréal, and has helped increase the international visibility of that institution. As deputy chair of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and as the founding chair of its foundation, she also played a vital role in restoring the financial health of the orchestra.