Jean-Francois Mongeau-11 (3)

President

Jean-François Mongeau

Jean-François has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2016. President of Gestion dextor ltée, he provides management consulting services to companies for the management of human resources, pension, and benefits programs.

He has an extensive management experience, having held several executive positions in various companies.

He participated as a host family and has been a counsellor on two occasions for AFS Canada.

Sophia Akande

Board member

Sofia Akande

Sofia Akande has acquired valuable cultural intelligence with professional experience extended across three continents (Africa, Europe and North America), an essential asset for leaders operating in environments characterized by diversity and inclusion. She holds a Master’s degree in Organization Management and Development, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations, and is a Certified Human Resources Consultant.

Sofia began her career with the International Labour Office. In 2020, Sofia founded Perle de Leader, an internationally recognized strategic talent management consultancy. At her firm, she and her team develop tailor-made diversity and inclusion strategies for numerous organizations around the world. Sofia and her team support organizations in implementing inclusive and high-performance practices, therefore contributing to the creation of more equitable organizational cultures.

Marie Mazerolle

Vice president

Marie Mazerolle

A geographer by training, Marie is passionate about history, culture and adventure. She participated in the year program in Panama in 2003-2004 with AFS. Upon her return, she became involved as a volunteer in the organization. Her personal, academic and professional career then led her to experience other international experiences, notably in Europe and Chile.

In 2014, Marie completed her master’s degree in business administration (M.B.A.). She became involved in her community and served on the board of directors of the “Centre de Solidarité Internationale – of Saguenay- Lac-Saint-Jean” for a few years. She is currently a coordinator at the Farmers’ Union

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Treasurer

François Le May

A dynamic and bilingual professional manager and accountant, François Le May has nearly 30 years of diversified experience in administration, finance and accounting in the areas of charity management, training and professional services. He currently works for an architectural firm in Montreal as Director of Administration and Human Resources. Prior to that, he worked for more than 10 years in charitable organizations as Director of Administration where he was responsible for reporting to regulatory bodies.

Stephanie Dube Désrosiers

Board Member

Stéphanie Dubé-Desrosiers

Lawyer and former participant of a year program in Australia, Stéphanie is actively involved in the AFS organization. Her experience has been her gateway to the international arena, which has led her to participate in numerous international projects, study abroad sessions and to work for several years on a project to support training in natural resource management in the Congo Basin led by Université Laval.

Sans titre – 7

Treasurer

Luc Pilon

Luc Pilon is a Chartered Professional Accountant and currently works as a freelance corporate controller. He has over twenty-five years of experience in financial reporting, international accounting standards and information technology. He has also worked in financial and personnel management in the manufacturing sector. In the past, he has worked for Cascades (2007 to 2011) and Logistec (2011 to 2018). He completed a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) at HEC Montreal and is a member of the Ordre des Comptables Agréés du Québec (CPA, CA auditor). Appointment to the Board of Directors: in 2006 (non-industry director) Audit Committee (Chair) in 2008.
He has been a host family twice.

Nicolas Biron

Board Member

Nicolas Biron

Nicolas holds a master’s degree in environment from the University of Sherbrooke, as well as a master’s degree in engineering and management of the environment and sustainable development from l’Université de Technologies de Troyes. He has over 10 years of experience in planning, management, and monitoring of international programs, including nearly five years in West Africa. His work has led him to develop tools for systemic analysis of sustainability and the circular economy, with a keen understanding of environmental, social, economic and cultural fields. He has actively contributed to the organization and facilitation of numerous international conferences, and organized various training and webinars.

Kim

Board member

Kim Barrett McKenna

Kim holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and has professional experience in the plastic manufacturing business. She supports various social causes through her active volunteer work.  Currently, she is a support volunteer at a cancer hospice and a director on the Barrett Family Foundation board.
Kim is deeply committed to the mission of AFS.  Her father learned of AFS through a student in his high school in the 1950’s.  Kim’s research led to her exchange in France as well as her daughter’s in Austria. Her family has also hosted several students.
Kim believes in the virtues of intercultural learning and wishes to be involved in teaching intercultural understanding across Canada.  She has held several roles within the organization, including Chapter President of Southern Ontario, and is presently helping with interviews of students applying to go abroad and also organizing pre- and post- exchange orientations.

Félix Vivas

Board member

Félix Vivas

Originally from Venezuela, Félix takes off with the 1998-1999 promotion to Germany Upon his return, he became a volunteer with AFS Maracaibo, his local chapter, and was then involved in local coordination as well as in sending and welcoming participants. In 2005, he joined the national board of directors of AFS Venezuela. Since 2017, he has been involved with AFS Interculture Canada, as a volunteer in the scholarship selection committee, as a coach for mentors of young people who participate in the Intercultural Certificate Achievement and as an facilitator for pre-departure training. Social communicator by profession and television specialist, Félix works for a national telecommunications company.