Monique F. Leroux, President and CEO of Desjardins Group, has announced her candidacy for the Presidency of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA). The election will take place November 13 during the General Assembly in Antalya, Turkey.
“I am deeply convinced of the relevance of the co-operative model and the key role it can play in the resolution of our most pressing global issues. To do this, a strong International Co-operative Alliance and worldwide mobilization appears to me to be a necessity. Being elected Chair of the Alliance, and to continue to contribute to the influence of this business model would be a huge opportunity and an exceptional privilege” stated Monique Leroux.
A founding member of the Board of Directors of Co-operatives and mutuals Canada, Ms. Leroux is a leader in the Canadian co-operative movement. She has also chaired the Conseil québécois de coopération et de la Mutualité (CQCM) from 2012 to 2015. Under the direction of Ms. Leroux, CQCM created their Strategic Plan to 2020.
As President of the Desjardins group, Ms. Leroux played was the architect of the successful International Summits for Co-operatives in Québec in 2012 and 2014, and chaired the Board of Directors of this global event. The idea behind the initial summit was to create a global meeting during the international year of co-operatives. The 3rd edition of this biannual event will be held again October 11 to 13, 2016, and it is now a central organizing force in the international co-operative movement.
Since November 2013, Ms. Leroux has been a member of the ICA Board of Directors and has chaired the International Accounting and Regulatory Affairs Committee since July 2015.
Under her presidency, Desjardins has grown by developing its activities across Canada through acquisition, strategic partnerships, and transactions both in the Canada and around the world. The Desjardins Group is the largest financial co-operative in Canada and the 5th largest in the world, with more than 45,000 employees and $250 billion in assets.
Monique F. Leroux is a member of the Advisory Committee on the Public Service to the Prime Minister of the Canada, a member of the Advisory Council on the Economy to the Minister of Finance of Canada, as well as a member of the Advisory Council on Women Entrepreneurs and Leaders of Enterprises to the federal Government.
Internationally, Monique Leroux is member of the board of Crédit industriel et commercial (CIC), a subsidiary of the groupe Crédit Mutuel (Europe), the International Co-operative Alliance, the Groupement Européen des Banques Coopératives and the Confédération internationale des banques populaires.
Leroux has won several awards for her leadership and commitment in the co-operative movement. Ms. Leroux is also a Member of the Order of Canada, an officer of the National Order of Quebec, chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (France), recipient of the Woodrow Wilson Prize (United States), and the winner of the Ordre des CPA du Quebec and a recipient of the Institute of Corporate Directors Fellowship Award. Leroux is also doctor honoris causa of 8 Canadian universities.
Ms. Leroux will seek to succeed Dame Pauline Green who announced her retirement last June. Green was the first woman President of the ICA, who has led the international co-operative movement for six-years. Her term has been characterized by great commitment and dynamism. Green transformed the position of ICA Chair to a leading role at the international level.