Outaouais Philanthropy foundation

About

Mission

Encourager et faciliter la philanthropie d’impact afin de générer des changements positifs, systémiques et durables, au bénéfice de toute la communauté de l’Outaouais.

Vision

Actively contribute to the development of the Outaouais region by:

● Creating and supporting endowment funds

● Promoting the sharing of knowledge about philanthropy and the community’s needs

● Leading promising initiatives that enable the region to reach its full potential

Our values

These values guide all of our actions and decisions:

● Solidarity: Acting with a spirit of mutual support and interdependence.

● Impact: Demonstrating boldness and innovation to bring about meaningful change.

● Equity: Placing social justice at the heart of our commitments.

● Collaboration: Working in partnership with local stakeholders to serve our communities.

Our Board of Directors

M. Rock Poulin

M. Rock Poulin

President

Biography

With over 30 years of experience in insurance solutions, Rock excels in complex financial strategies. Actively involved in his community, he supports the young business community and co-founded Outaouais Philanthropy while serving on the board of One Better World. Enthusiastic, generous, and determined, he constantly generates ideas and projects aimed at creating wealth. His passion and energy define everything he undertakes.

Mr. Philippe Coderre

Mr. Philippe Coderre

Vice President

Biography

Me Philippe Coderre, a labor and employment lawyer since 2013, founded Coderre Avocats in 2020. Highly engaged in his community, he simplifies legal topics on 104.7 FM, gives conferences, and teaches at the Bar School to train future lawyers. Passionate about philanthropy, he supports various causes and encourages wealth redistribution in his region. His career reflects a balance between legal expertise, knowledge-sharing, and social commitment.

Ms. Claire Gosselin-Gagnon

Ms. Claire Gosselin-Gagnon

Treasurer

Biography

Claire Gosselin-Gagnon is a cooperative and mutual business advisor at CQCM. She has been involved with Outaouais Philanthropy as Treasurer since 2022, combining her passion for finance with community well-being. With 15 years of experience as a business manager, she aims to make Outaouais Philanthropy a powerful lever for regional development.

Ms. Nicole Desroches

Ms. Nicole Desroches

Secretary

Biography

A former teacher, Nicole DesRoches has been dedicated to environmental and community causes in the Collines region since 1979. As director of CREDDO for several years, she worked on sustainable development, the protection of the Ottawa River, and the preservation of green spaces. A founding member and leader in numerous initiatives, she remains involved in various committees even in retirement. She also enjoys spending time with family, reading, and walking.

M. Simon Boudreau

M. Simon Boudreau

Board member

Biography

As President and CEO of 3R Québec, Simon Boudreau is a leader committed to promoting the circular economy and sustainable development. Drawing on his expertise in management and governance, he helps advance responsible practices while supporting the economic and social development of his community. Active in the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce and the Association des ressourceries du Québec, he is recognized for his unifying leadership and his ability to build bridges between the economic, environmental, and community sectors.

Mr. Benoit Delage

Mr. Benoit Delage

Board member

Biography

Since August 2014, Benoit has played a key role in the strategic repositioning of CREDDO alongside the Board of Directors. He actively mobilizes Outaouais stakeholders around issues like waste management, sustainable development, and climate change adaptation. Deeply committed to his community, he collaborates with various partners to develop impactful projects fostering a sustainable future. His belief in collective power drives his actions for a positive impact in the region.

M. Albert Labelle

M. Albert Labelle

Board member

Biography

In March 2025, Albert joined the board of directors of the Outaouais Philanthropy Foundation. At PearTree, he contributes to the organization’s growth by fostering strong, lasting relationships with donors and their partners across Canada. Highly active within AFP Québec and involved in initiatives such as JDRF Canada, he draws on a wealth of executive experience gained at American Express, CST Consultants, and other major companies. He combines strategic vision, inspiring leadership, and a keen sense of interpersonal skills to generate tangible impact.

M. Sylvain Ladouceur

M. Sylvain Ladouceur

Board member

Biography

Sylvain Ladouceur has dedicated his career to philanthropy and community development for nearly 30 years. As the Manager of Planned Giving at the University of Ottawa, he has held several leadership positions within philanthropic organizations in the region, notably at the Fondation de l’Université du Québec en Outaouais and Centraide Outaouais. A trainer, speaker, and author, he is recognized for his ability to bring together key players in his community and build lasting relationships in the service of the common good.

Mr. Bernard Malo

Mr. Bernard Malo

Board member

Biography

An engineer by training with a master’s degree in physical engineering, Bernard worked as a researcher for several years at the Communications Research Centre in Ottawa. He later co-founded a fiber optics company that primarily sold its products internationally. Since 2004, he has been involved in philanthropy, co-founding the C.A.R.M.E.N. Foundation with his wife to provide free services to people with serious illnesses.

Mr. Janick St-Georges

Mr. Janick St-Georges

Board member

Biography

Passionate about design and creativity, Janick stands out for his strategic and artistic approach, having shaped the brand image of over 200 businesses, including the Canadian Tourism Industry Association and Bauer Canada. Since 2020, he has designed integrated campaigns for Impératif français with a human-centered approach. Simultaneously, he remains actively engaged in his community, particularly with the Outaouais Alzheimer’s Society and Moisson Outaouais. His constant creativity makes him a key player in regional dynamism.

Our team

Mrs. Catia Céméus

Mrs. Catia Céméus

Executive Director

Biography

Catia Céméus is an entrepreneur, trainer, and philanthropist from the National Capital Region. Founder and director of Conception et production d’événements Kimdja inc., she has over 10 years of experience managing large-scale events for businesses and francophone organizations. Her approach, combining creativity and excellence, has made Kimdja a reference in the event industry.

Former Executive Director of the RGA and a Bernard GrandMaître Award nominee, Catia stands out for her leadership and community engagement. She launched Les Mardis Philanthropes, an initiative blending networking and nonprofit support.

Recognized for her contributions to the business community and the development of francophone communities, she continues to inspire and mobilize her network.

Catia joined the Outaouais Philanthropy Foundation team in August 2023, becoming its first-ever Executive Director.

Ms. Mégane Soukpo

Ms. Mégane Soukpo

Project Officer - Communications

Biography

As a Project Manager—Communications at Kimdja, Mégane ensures the success of event projects. Her role extends beyond traditional communications: she actively contributes to internal projects, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

In June 2025, she joined FPO as its first employee, a role in which she developed communication tools, wrote targeted content for newsletters, and implemented strategic plans aimed at increasing the organization’s visibility and impact.

With a degree in public relations from La Cité collégiale and a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Ottawa, Mégane distinguished herself from the very start of her career at Regroupement Affaires Femmes, where she led impactful campaigns that gave a voice to Francophone Black communities with strength and authenticity.

His strength: turning ideas into concrete actions and messages into movement.

M. Isaac Brosseau Kharyati

M. Isaac Brosseau Kharyati

Administrative Clerk

Biography

Isaac Brosseau is pursuing studies in public administration and political science at the University of Ottawa. He is particularly interested in the management of public organizations and international relations.

Committed to environmental issues and civic engagement since his teenage years, he has served, among other roles, as a young environmental journalist and a youth minister of the environment as part of initiatives by the Monique-Fitz-Back Foundation.

In the summer of 2026, he joined the Outaouais Philanthropy Foundation as an administrative intern. In his free time, he enjoys cross-country skiing and hiking, and follows tennis with interest.

Our Committees

Governance Committee

Objectives: The Governance Committee supports the Board of Directors in implementing best practices in corporate governance and ensures the Board’s effective operation. It recommends updates to internal regulations and policies, ensures legal compliance, and periodically evaluates the Board’s effectiveness.

The committee also contributes to the recruitment, succession planning, and onboarding of board members, while clarifying the roles of the Board of Directors and senior management. It ensures compliance with the principles of ethics and integrity, particularly with regard to conflicts of interest and the handling of sensitive situations.
Finally, he supports the Board’s strategic work by proposing improvements to governance practices and structure.

Members :

  • Philippe Coderre (Vice-president)
  • Bernard Malo (Board member)
  • Nicole DesRoches (Secrétaire)
Finance Committee

Objectives :

Work with the executive management to ensure FPO’s financial health and review budgets and tax documents.

Members :

  • Nicole Desroches (Secretary)
  • Claire Gosselin-Gagnon (Treasurer)
Strategic Revenue Development Committee

Objectives :

Work with the executive management to ensure FPO’s financial health and review budgets and tax documents.

Members :

  • Rock Poulin (President)
  • Nicole Desroches (Secretary)
  • Claire Gosselin-Gagnon (Treasurer)
  • Bernard Malo (Board member)
Young Philanthropists Committee

Objectives :

Encourage the new generation of businesspeople and young professionals in Outaouais to fulfill their commitment to their communities through philanthropy.

Members :

  • Olivier Laberge (Board member)
  • Janick St-Georges (Board member)
  • Stéphanie Chauret – Métanox (Volunteer)
  • Jonathan Strasbourg – Espace CPA (Volunteer)
  • Jean-François Lépine – IPA SANTÉ (Volunteer)
  • Julie Moffat – Grands feux du casino (Volunteer)
Philanthropic Development Committee

Objectives :

Discuss the state of philanthropy in Outaouais, identify priority needs, and advise the board to align community support accordingly.

Members :

  • Nicole Desroches (Secretary)
  • Bernard Malo (Board member)