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The RQRA team works daily to meet the needs of its members and ensure the smooth running of the seniors' residences ecosystem. |
Marc Fortin is President and CEO of the RQRA and has over 30 years' management experience with food companies, consulting firms and associations. He was a principal shareholder of StratMk consultation before becoming President and CEO of the NACDA, then President and CEO of Distribution Canada Inc (DCI), a national buying group for the food retail industry in Canada, and President of the Retail Council of Canada - Quebec (RCC).
He has also held several executive positions with companies such as Molson Breweries, Kellogg's Canada, Maple Leaf Foods, Canada Bread Bakeries and Borden-Catelli. He also holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and economics from the Université de Montréal. Marc Fortin is an outstanding leader, both dynamic and human. Combining strength with gentleness, he knows how to motivate his teams and push them to give their best.
Sophie has spent 10 years working in the field of seniors' residences. She has extensive knowledge of the different groups of residences and of independent residences. Her career in various retirement home positions has given her extensive expertise in private residences.
Moreover, she is well acquainted with the reality of business owners, having been an entrepreneur herself for several years. Throughout her career, she has worked in a variety of areas, gaining solid experience directly in the field.
Human values-oriented, she loves contact with people. She has excellent communication and listening skills. Her leadership, analytical and problem-solving skills are definite assets.
Marek has more than 20 years of experience in the seniors' housing sector. Throughout his career, he has held various management positions, including Executive Director, in several private seniors' residences (PSRs), including a residence serving a religious community and a residence with a dedicated care unit. This experience has given him a strong understanding of the realities of the sector and the unique challenges faced by seniors' residences.
Having been actively involved in all operational departments of the residences he has managed, Marek has developed a comprehensive understanding of residence operations, supported by extensive hands-on experience. His leadership approach is guided by respect, compassion, and active listening—values he considers essential in his relationships with both residents and the teams he leads.
Deeply committed to the well-being of seniors, Marek is recognized for his empathy, collaborative spirit, and dedication. He believes that private seniors' residences are welcoming, people-centered, and rewarding environments where it is possible to make a meaningful difference every day by providing residents with a safe, high-quality place to live.
With more than a decade of experience in various customer service roles, he began his career in the seniors' housing sector in 2021 when he joined a private seniors' residence (PSR) as a receptionist. He quickly discovered a dynamic and diverse environment and developed a strong interest in the rewarding nature of the seniors' housing sector, as well as the unique challenges it presents.
Recognized for his organizational skills, attention to detail, strong work ethic, and natural curiosity, he was promoted to the role of Administrative Assistant just a few months after joining the organization, a position he held for four years. This experience enabled him to develop an in-depth understanding of the day-to-day realities and challenges faced by residence management teams.
Today, he is eager to continue building his career in a sector that is especially meaningful to him. With enthusiasm and dedication, he is committed to providing structured, high-quality support to both the organization and its members.
Passionate about communications and the media, Ahmed Cherif is particularly fond of his work in the seniors’ sector at the RQRA, as he feels that his actions have a major impact on society. After a successful 6-year career as a radio journalist, he arrived in Quebec nearly two years ago and quickly began his adventure as Communications and Marketing Manager at the RQRA.
Ahmed Cherif holds a bachelor's degree in communications, an MBA in marketing and creativity, and a master's degree in European studies and international trade, all obtained in Brussels, where he has lived for the past decade. Thanks to this varied background, Ahmed Cherif can make the most of his versatility within our association and use his boundless energy to meet the challenges we face daily.
With a bachelor's degree in information and communications (Université Saint-Louis – Brussels) and a master's degree in communications, social media (UQAM), Victoria Denayer works in marketing and communications, with diversified experience in retail and information technology (IT).
Driven by a desire to contribute to a meaningful mission and have an impact on society, she puts her creativity, versatility and writing skills to work for the RQRA as a communications advisor. Always willing to go the extra mile, she stands out for her dynamism, positive approach and collaborative spirit.
Holding a Bachelor's degree in Game Design and a Master's degree in Media Design, Julie brings a strong command of digital technologies combined with a creative mindset. She began her career in the video game industry, where she specialized in the development of serious games and e-learning content. This experience shaped her belief that people, their needs, and the challenges they face should always be at the heart of digital design.
Curious, thoughtful, and attentive, Julie is recognized for her versatility and her ability to adapt seamlessly to a wide range of contexts. She approaches every project with a strong commitment to quality, careful attention to detail, and a genuine dedication to supporting the teams she works with.
Today, as Web and Design Advisor at the RQRA, Julie sees her role as the natural continuation of a career guided by strong values. She is committed to contributing to organizations with a meaningful mission and to helping create work that has a tangible, positive impact on the lives of others.
Noémie holds the position of Administrative Assistant, Members' Services at the RQRA. With 4 years' experience in the seniors' residences sector, she has worked in a variety of roles, including receptionist, administrative assistant and rental advisor. Her expertise gives her a thorough understanding of the issues and realities faced by residence managers.
Attracted by the human aspect of this sector, she chose to invest herself fully in it after a rewarding first professional experience in Quebec. Before specializing in this field, Noémie worked in the marketing sector as a junior product manager for 2 years in France, after holding a position as assistant to the Minister of Higher Education for almost a year.
Diane is a seasoned operations management professional. She has over 25 years of experience in the field of specialized publishing as an editor, as well as several years in seniors' residences management as general manager.
As head of the RQRA Magazine since November 2021, Diane Beaudin uses her knowledge of the retirement home sector and her publishing skills to develop a magazine that meets the needs of residence managers, informing them on subjects that affect them closely. She holds an accounting degree from HEC Montréal, a diploma from the Canadian Securities Institute and a communications professional certificate from HEC Montréal.
The RQRA is proud to introduce Carol, newly arrived at the end of September, just in time for our Annual Conference in October. Carol is a sales executive and team manager with over 25 years of experience and success. She is recognized as an excellent team player and builder who empowers her team members by enabling them to harness and develop their talents.
Her greatest successes have been in business development, marketing, events, management and team building. She also strongly believes in the power of strategy development, innovation and creativity. Carol is no stranger to the retirement homes' network, having previously worked in the field as Regional Sales Director, covering a series of residences across Quebec.
After 5 years' experience in accounting in the manufacturing sector and 6 years in the non-profit sector, Siriki Coulibaly now joins the RQRA as Director of Operations and Accounting.
With a passion for numbers, he stands out for his high sense of discretion, ethics and commitment to defending the interests of vulnerable people. He holds several degrees in accounting and finance, including a certificate in business administration, general accounting from the Université de Trois-Rivières au Québec, as well as a certificate in Canadian investment funds. Siriki Coulibaly is also aiming to obtain his CPA qualification.
An experienced event management professional, Clémence Dilé has been creating experiences that bring people together and inspire for over ten years. Passionate about the art of connecting people, she brings to the RQRA a human, strategic, and structured approach that highlights both the organization’s visibility and the strength of its network. Deeply interested in the senior living sector, she puts her expertise at the service of an essential industry, where every event becomes an opportunity to unite, inform, and advance the community.
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CONTACT
425 Boulevard de Maisonneuve West, Suite 1008
Montréal, Québec
H3A 3G5
514 526-3777 or 1888 440-3777