La Presse, Published on October 24
Their names are Liliia, Olena, Rafaelle… Like many other women in the Let’s Start Up Pathway of the Lise Watier Foundation, they are determined to build their professional futures. Through the new IMPACT Initiative, more than ten companies have chosen to invest both financially and personally in the Foundation’s mission. Each company is paired with a woman supported by the Foundation, offering her financial, human, and professional support. Together, they are redefining philanthropy, making it more tangible and transformative than ever before.
When Julie Godin, Executive Chair of the CGI Board of Directors, and Nicolas Patard, Managing Director and Head, Financial Products, National Bank, agreed to co-chair the 12th Annual Lise Watier Foundation Ball, they wanted to do more than host a traditional fundraising event. From this vision, IMPACT was born, an initiative that forges a direct connection between companies and the women supported by the Foundation.
For me, there were two motivations behind this initiative: to leave a meaningful legacy for the Foundation and to create a human connection with the participants, beyond the traditional financial contribution,” emphasizes Julie Godin.
Receiving a scholarship to develop professional skills can be life changing. But more than the financial support, it’s the connection that truly matters. Breaking isolation, providing mentorship, opening our networks—ultimately, it’s about welcoming these women into a business circle that would otherwise be difficult and time-consuming to build. “
— Nicolas Patard, Co-Chair of the 12th Annual Lise Watier Foundation Ball
A groundbreaking model of philanthropy
In practice, IMPACT unites leading organizations around a shared commitment. By joining the annual Ball as IMPACT partners, these companies go beyond supporting the Foundation financially – they actively engage with selected participants, providing personalized mentorship and exclusive access to valuable business networks. National Bank, Scotiabank, CGI, Desjardins, National Bank Financial_Team Guy Côté, KPMG, Novacap, PwC, Sanimax, TD, and WSP are among the participating companies. Through this initiative, more than $300,000 additional funds have been raised.
Initially, we imagined engaging just five or six companies. Today, more than a dozen, including some direct competitors, have come together for a shared purpose. In the realm of philanthropy, logos fade away; what truly matters is supporting women. “
— Nicolas Patard, Co-Chair of the 12th Annual Lise Watier Foundation Ball
Stories of resilience and ambition
For Julie Godin and Nicolas Patard, IMPACT takes on its full meaning in the unique journeys of the participants.
Take Liliia, for example. She left Ukraine in 2022, where she had acquired experience in journalism since the age of 16. Arriving in Quebec, she had to start anew. In only a few months, she learned both French and English and went on to launch her own digital marketing agency. “In the face of challenges, she adopted a constructive mindset over a sense of victimhood . Her resilience is remarkable, and her courage is truly contagious,” says Julie Godin.
Rafaelle, on the other hand, grew up in a creative but unstructured environment, which brought several challenges. As a single mother, she balanced work and studies before being admitted to acupuncture school. Supported by the Lise Watier Foundation, she now aspires to open her own clinic, entirely dedicated to women’s health. “Her project is promising, as it will allow her to combine financial independence with a meaningful contribution to the well-being of her community,” emphasizes Nicolas Patard.
Shared benefits
These stories illustrate the essence of IMPACT: transforming philanthropy into a tangible springboard for the professional and entrepreneurial success of women. Along the way, scholarship recipients gain confidence, valuable skills, and strengthen their credibility.
IMPACT is thus fully aligned with the Lise Watier Foundation’s ongoing mission: to promote women’s financial independence and their inclusion in the socio-economic fabric.
When a woman gains independence, it uplifts her entire family and community. The ripple effect is extraordinary.
— Julie Godin, Co-Chair of the 12th Annual Lise Watier Foundation Ball
The co-chairs emphasize that the participating companies also undergo a tranformation. “It’s truly a win-win,” says Nicolas Patard. “Mentors learn just as much as mentees. Exposing our young leaders to the real-world challenges and rewards entrepreneurship is invaluable – it sparks a flame within large organizations.”
The ambition behind this new initiative of the Lise Watier Foundation is clear: to make these pairings a lasting tradition, welcoming new companies each year to join this ever-growing ecosystem of support and solidarity.
