OUR TEAM
Chloé Martinetti
Interim General Director
Director of Operations and Development
With her studies in business administration and communication, Chloé has been immersed in the Outaouais region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem for over ten years. Her various student, volunteer and professional endeavours—notably as international advisor at Export Outaouais and as project manager at Cilex—have helped her build a solid network in the regional and pan-Quebec economic development communities, along with acquiring a very good knowledge of their business dynamics.
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After having coached several businesses in marketing, innovation and exportation, managed several structuring projects and handled communications and event management for various organizations, Chloé now devotes herself to operations and strategic planning development for Cilex.
Charles Lapointe
Innovation Catalyst
Entrepreneurship Adviser
Business management graduate from the Université du Québec en Outaouais and entrepreneur himself, Charles brings the knowledge he acquired, notably as an account manager at the Business Development Bank of Canada, to Cilex businesses. As project manager, he works in partnership with organizations to promote entrepreneurship in the Outaouais region. His experience in multiple fields allows him to make a significant impact in the development of the businesses he helps.
Farid Dagher, CPA
Innovation Catalyst
Entrepreneurship Adviser
With a business management degree, a Chartered Professional Accountant title, and an entrepreneurial background, Farid brings with him more than 15 years of management experience acquired in a variety of roles and mandates in the public and private sectors, as well as in entrepreneurship. He launched or contributed to the creation of more than a dozen businesses and startups in marketing, event management and economic development. As project manager and adviser at Cilex, he works closely with the entrepreneurial ecosystem to fuel innovation.
Vincent Quirion
Innovation Catalyst
Entrepreneurship Adviser
With a bachelor’s degree in accounting science and a certificate in real estate management and appraisal from UQO, Vincent has been involved in the entrepreneurial world for several years now. Not only is he an independent real estate investor, but he is also the cofounder and CFO of Ecovista, which was launched in 2018 and subsequently incubated at Cilex. Vincent’s journey with the incubator piqued his interest for coaching and he now gives back to the Outaouais innovation ecosystem by joining Cilex as a business adviser.
Alan Bernardi, PMP, SSCP
Senior Expert in Innovation, Strategy and Cybersecurity
Industry 4.0 Auditor, Lead Auditor ISO 27001
A multidisciplinary expert with a vision and ambition, armed with a background in computer science and management, Alan possesses strong analytical skills and a solid background in research and technology. He has worked on various projects related to digital transformation, smart cities, intelligent transportation systems, electronic information management, cybersecurity, the Internet of Things, and fifth generation networks. Using his diversified experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, project management and technology transfer, he guides businesses in their innovation endeavours.
Véronique Nabelsi, Ph. D.
Senior Expert in R&D and Innovation
Industry 4.0 Auditor
Véronique, Ph.D. is a tenured professor in the department of administrative science at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. She brings with her nearly 17 years of experience in the analysis and implementation of information systems, technology and innovation management, and process optimization. Among other things, she leads the eConsult Québec project in three major regions of the province. This initiative, which improves access to specialized services, will lead to a pan-Quebec deployment.
As a Senior Expert in R&D and Innovation at Cilex, she works with the Outaouais ecosystem in the planning, evaluation and establishment of various innovative technology projects, and in coaching startups and businesses through the implementation of innovative practices.
Manuel Patry
Project Manager and Expert in Digital Transformation
With a bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in marketing and public relations and a master’s degree in Project Management, Manuel has been around the entrepreneurial, IT and project management ecosystem for a decade.
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Thanks to his varied business and entrepreneurial background, he has developed a great deal of expertise in supporting and coaching companies. Using his extensive skill toolbox, paired with his eye for quality and his structured and open approach, Manuel helps businesses define their needs and complete their most value-creating technological projects. Every challenge is a new opportunity!
James Landry
Communications Adviser
Magician of Images
A graduate in graphic design and a current student in professional translation at the Université du Québec en Outaouais, James brings his artistic and linguistic skills to the communication team. He ensures the visual cohesion of Cilex’s messages and projects, suffusing them with innovative creativity along the way. His linguistic abilities in both French and English help facilitate communications between Cilex and the Outaouais innovation ecosystem, notably by enhancing the quality of the French texts and translating them into English for anglophone entrepreneurs.
Caroline Martineau
Communications Adviser
Jedi of Social Media
With certificates in media and social media studies, a college diploma in public relations, a bachelor’s degree in communication and a master’s degree in project management, Caroline has been immersed in the communications and marketing industry for 14 years.
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Known by her peers as a creative and dynamic person, she is motivated by project management and has contributed to the success of numerous francophone media campaigns in the Outaouais region. Having worked in both the private sector and public organizations, she knows how to adapt to various settings and challenges. Caroline also teaches and trains people in her main fields of expertise: communications, public relations, marketing and advertising.
Jérémie Chamberland, CPA
Financial Controller
With a DESS in professional accounting and a bachelor’s degree in accounting sciences from the Université du Québec en Outaouais, Jérémie takes care of the financial tracking of Cilex’s many projects. He specializes in accounting for startups and aims to assist companies with the sound financial management of their business. An entrepreneur himself, Jérémie is the founder and president of Vegjay, a company offering plant-based sports products in compostable packaging. His entrepreneurial experience gives him a more in-depth understanding of the financial realities of startups. Jérémie’s skills also include project management, as well as the writing and follow-up of grant applications.
OUR SPECIALISTS
Hamid Seghiouer, Ph.D.
Expert in Systems Quality and Security
Lead Auditor ISO 27001, ISO 22301 and ISO 9001
Hamid is certified as an ISO 27001, ISO 22301 and ISO 9001 Senior Lead Auditor and Lead Implementer and has a solid academic background with a PhD in Mathematics and Computer Science. His professional career spans over 25 years, during which he has skillfully implemented and audited various management systems in over 20 countries. His expertise lies in navigating complex regulatory environments and ensuring compliance with international standards. This international experience helped him gain a unique perspective on best practices in management systems, making him a valuable asset for any organization looking to excel in their operations.
OUR BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Gabriel Laporte
Chairman
Investment Manager at Fonds de solidarité FTQ
Currently an investment manager at Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Gabriel Laporte has a thorough experience of the business world. As a serial entrepreneur, he has built and sold two companies in completely separate industries: commercial landscaping and sports nutrition. He worked for several years as Vice-President of Sales and Business Development for Tough Commerce (formely Brokrete), a real-time storefront solution for suppliers and contractors in the construction commodities industry. He is also the owner and operator of a distribution company who specializes in the sales of nautical products.
From 2017 to 2021, Gabriel Laporte assumed the roles of Business Development Commissioner at ID Gatineau as well as Commercial Accounts Director at Invest-Quebec. It is through these experiences that he has had the privilege of working with hundreds of SMEs in several industries and on a wide range of projects, including: public and private partnerships, international expansion projects, R&D, technology commercialization and SME financing. He also holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the Université du Québec en Outaouais.
Patrick Duguay
Vice-Chairman
General Director of CDROL
General Director of the Coopérative de développement régional (CDR) of the Outaouais-Laurentides region since April 2002, Patrick Duguay holds a bachelor’s degree from the Université de Montréal. Very involved in his community, he sits on the boards of numerous local, regional and national organizations and businesses. He was also president of the Chantier d’économie social, of which he is a founding member, until November 2018. Patrick Duguay was president of the Société de diversification économique de l’Outaouais and contributed to the founding of the Fiducie du Chantier de l’économie sociale, of which he is currently president, and of the Réseau d’investissement social du Québec (RISQ) where he also served as president.
Claudine Cyr
Secretary-Treasury
Financial Analysis Manager, University of Ottawa
Claudine has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Université Laval and an Executive MBA-CMA from UQO and UQAM. A seasoned manager, member of the Quebec CPA Order, she has acquired over the years a wealth of knowledge in finance and team management, particularly in financial planning and analysis, budgeting, financing solutions, management, risk assessment, and business and territory development.
She held a management position in an economic development organization of the City of Gatineau for nearly 20 years where she worked closely with her team members and numerous partners to foster the growth of local businesses. Hearing the entrepreneurial call herself, she became a shareholder and manager for a construction company of over 80 employees, a position she held for close to five years.
Steve Brabant
Administrator
General Director of the Cégep de l’Outaouais
Steve Brabant has been General Director of the Cégep de l’Outaouais since February 2022. He holds a multidisciplinary bachelor’s degree in law, economics and politics, as well as a master’s degree in public administration. Mr. Brabant has more than 10 years of experience in the management of corporate affairs, multisectoral projects, and human, financial and information resources, as well as in strategic and operational planning, and in designing, implementing and evaluating public policies, services and programs, notably in the education sector.
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Mr. Brabant has distinguished himself as a unifying leader when it comes to managing organizational and sustainable systemic changes, notably in his previous roles as Director of Corporate Strategy and Data Resources at the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO) and President of the Association des gestionnaires de l’éducation franco-ontarienne (AGÉFO).
Ann Delarosbil
Administrator
Convergence, cooperative of consultants
Ann Delarosbil served as Regional Director of the Outaouais campus of the École des entrepreneurs du Québec from its opening in 2018 up until August 2023, when she started working as a consultant. She has over 20 years of experience in strategic development, marketing and project management in Canada and abroad, notably in the major markets of North America and Oceania. Her analytical mind and entrepreneurial spirit allow her to creatively identify and seize new business opportunities. Ann is known for her dynamic and collaborative nature, and she excels in developing partnerships.
Marc Fricker, CD1
Administrator
Professor at Heritage College
Marc Fricker obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the Royal Military College of Canada, while he was serving for the Royal Canadian Air Force. He held many roles during his 25 years of service, several being related to training and education. After graduating from university, he was assigned to the Canadian Space Agency where he taught astronauts how to use and repair Canadarm2 on board the International Space Station. He then went back to the Royal Military College of Canada to teach in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His latest assignment was as a project manager for the Aurora Incremental Modernization Project, in the National Capital Region, where he supervised the implementation of newer and more modern computer systems and sensors in the plane.
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Marc Fricker joined the Department of Electronics and Information Technology at Heritage College after his retirement from the Royal Canadian Air Force in 2015.
Murielle Laberge
Administrator
Chancellor of the Université du Québec en Outaouais
Murielle Laberge is the Chancellor of the Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) since March 30th, 2020. With a master’s degree in Industrial Relations and Human Resources from UQO and a PhD in Industrial Relations from the Université de Montréal, Murielle Laberge joined the UQO staff in 1998. Professor in the Department of Industrial Relations, she also worked with the Centre d’études et de recherches en psychologie industrielle et comportement organisationnel and the Équipe de recherche multidisciplinaire sur les organisations en santé, both operating within UQO. From 2007 to 2015, she also served as Dean of Academic Management.
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In addition to her academic duties, Murielle Laberge has also worked as a human resources consultant and guided many public and private sector organizations in improving their institutional climate, as well as identifying and developing human potential. In 2019, she was awarded the Medal of the National Assembly of Quebec to recognize her volunteer commitment and service to the community.
Benoit Lauzon
Administrator
Prefect of the Papineau RCM and Mayor of Thurso
Before becoming Prefect of the Papineau RCM in November 2017, Benoit Lauzon worked for 22 years as a manager in the forest industry. On top of his role as prefect, he is also the Mayor of Thurso, President of the Conférence des préfets de l’Outaouais, Administrator for the Fondation Santé de Papineau and Outaouais Representative at the Union des Municipalités du Québec (UMQ) where he serves as Administrator since 2016.
Benoit Lauzon also holds several positions in the UMQ, including President of the Commission de la culture, des loisirs et de la vie communautaire, President of the forest committee, member of the Board of Directors of the Caucus des municipalités locales, member of the Commission des Assises de l’UMQ, and member of the rail transport committee.
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As part of his continued community involvement, he took on the role of Honorary President multiple times, including at the recent Grand Rassemblement de développement social de l’Outaouais.
Bruce Levis
Administrator
Cofounder and Managing Partner at Becker-Carroll
Bruce has over twenty-five years of experience in operations, marketing, and selling technical solutions to the public sector. He possesses a deep understanding of public sector contracting in the areas of hardware, managed services, software, and professional services.