News

October 26, 2023

Three new trustees join the McCord Museum Foundation Board of Trustees

Museum Announcements

The McCord Museum Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of Michèle Bernier, Jiad Ghoussoub and Félix Rhéaume to its board of trustees.

“These new members each have extensive experience in the fields of business, culture and philanthropy, qualities that will undoubtedly contribute to the success of the Foundation’s initiatives,” commented Amélie Saint-Pierre, Director of the McCord Museum Foundation.

The McCord Museum Foundation contributes one third of the McCord Stewart Museum’s annual budget, notably for the conservation of its collections, and makes the Museum’s exhibitions and educational programs accessible to thousands of school-age children, thanks to the funds raised through its annual fundraising campaign and benefit events.

Biographies

Michèle Bernier

Michèle Bernier is Vice President, Custodian of Securities at Desjardins Trust. She has worked in the financial field for over 35 years with the Desjardins Group. She has extensive experience in management, accounting, and finance, and for the past 15 years in the specialized field of custodial services for institutional clients (mainly pension plans, NPOs and foundations).

Ms. Bernier has been a member of the Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec (CPA) since 1983. She also holds a degree in business administration from the École des hautes études commerciales de Montréal.

Since 2010, she has served on various boards of directors. She has acted as treasurer for non-profit organizations including Collège Charles Lemoyne, the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute (CPBI) and the Association de la retraite et des avantages sociaux du Québec (ARASQ).

Jiad Ghoussoub

Passionate about what different cultures have to offer, Jiad has had the privilege of living and growing up in 5 countries across 4 continents. Before arriving in Canada in 2009, he graduated in Mathematics and Market Finance from Paris Dauphine University and gained his first professional experience with French banks.

Since arriving in Montreal, he built up his expertise with PSP investment for five years as a trader before joining CIBC Global Markets in 2015, where he is now Cross-Asset Solutions team leader for institutional clients.

In addition to his professional commitment to market finance, Jiad has always had a keen interest in arts and culture, with a particular penchant for photography, a passion he regularly pursues in a street photography style. Knowing that the arts are often at the mercy of philanthropy, Jiad has regularly been involved in supporting various organizations, including the McCord Stewart Museum, Danse/Danse and most recently with MOMENTA Biennale de l’image.

Félix Rhéaume

Félix Rhéaume is Director of Government Relations for Quebec at Rogers Communications. He has worked in the government affairs and communications sector for over 10 years. A fine strategist and seasoned manager, he has held several positions within the Quebec government including Strategic Planning Advisor in the Office of the Premier of Quebec, Chief of Staff of the Minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs as well as Director of Communications in the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition. He subsequently served as Vice-President, Communications, at the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec (FCCQ).

A lawyer by training and member of the Quebec Bar since 2008, Félix Rhéaume notably participated in the work of the Charbonneau commission (Commission of Inquiry on the Awarding and Management of Public Contracts in the Construction Industry).

Holder of a master’s degree in International Relations from Jean-Moulin University in Lyon and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sherbrooke, he also completed an online certificate from the London School of Economics and Political Science (MBA essentials).

In addition to sitting on the Board of Directors of the McCord Museum Foundation, Félix Rhéaume is also on the board of the Bar of Montreal and of Québec Net Positif, an independent think tank, not for profit, whose purpose is to accelerate the transition towards a low carbon and “net positive” economy.