The 2017 Aces of Finance competition is open! Quebec Chapter of FEI Canada invites financial executives to participate

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Dec. 1, 2016) - The Quebec Chapter of FEI Canada, an all-industry professional association for senior financial executives, is delighted to announce the launch of the Aces of Finance competition, now in its seventh year. This prestigious competition aims to recognize the professional achievements and community involvement of outstanding Quebec financial executives. Members and non-members of the association are invited to participate and submit their nomination forms in one of the following three categories: Financial executive of a large corporation, Financial executive of a small or medium-sized enterprise and Emerging financial executive. The Aces of Finance competition highlights the exceptional professional achievements of financial executives, shining a spotlight on the key role they play in organizations while inspiring others in their profession.

Dates to remember

Candidates have until February 9, 2017 to submit their nomination form. The finalists will be announced on April 4, 2017, and the winners will be revealed at a gala event to be held on May 10, 2017 in Montreal. As in past years, an independent jury has been selected comprising five high-profile professionals who have distinguished themselves throughout their careers and possess many years of experience in the financial and business community.

The honorary chairperson of this year's competition will be Ms. Monique F. Leroux, President of the International Co-operative Alliance, Chair of the Board of Investissement Québec and Chair of the Quebec Government's Economic and Innovation Council. She served as Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer at Mouvement Desjardins, the leading cooperative financial group in Canada, from March 2008 to April 2016. Ms. Leroux has received a number of honours, including being named a member of the Order of Canada, an Officer of the Ordre national du Québec and a Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur (France). She is also a recipient of the Woodrow Wilson Award (United States), the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Québec CPA Order and the Institute of Corporate Directors Fellowship Award.

"In addition to offering insight into the career paths and achievements of our financial executives, the Aces of Finance competition is an extraordinary platform for raising awareness of and promoting the profession," said Mr. Louis Marcotte, Chair of the Quebec Chapter of FEI Canada. "By participating, financial executive professionals are also making an important gesture of recognition to their own teams and organizations," said Mr. Marcotte.

2017 Homage Award

The Quebec Chapter of FEI Canada will also be presenting its Aces of Finance Homage Award to a financial executive who has demonstrated excellence throughout his or her career. The 2017 recipient of this prestigious award is Mr. Patrick Pichette, Advisor at Google. A globetrotter and environmentalist, Mr. Pichette recently retired from Google, where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer from 2008 to 2015. He remains an advisor to senior management at Google and sits on the boards of Bombardier and the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation, as well as serving start-ups such as Zoona, OKHi and Boosted Boards in an advisory capacity.

With much admiration, the Quebec Chapter of FEI Canada is pleased to pay tribute to Mr. Pichette through the Aces of Finance competition. The recipient of the Homage Award was announced at the Financial Executive Forum held on November 30, before more than 150 members and guests. Mr. Pichette will be officially honoured at the gala evening on May 10, 2017.

The winner of the Homage Award is named by the Board of Directors of the Quebec Chapter of FEI Canada and the members of the competition's organizing committee, which is made up of:

• Chair: Marc Godin, MBA, CFA, Venture Partner, Cheverny Capital
• Sonya Côté, CPA, CA, Senior Vice President, Internal Audit Services, Intact Financial Corporation
• Catherine Beauchemin, M.Sc., CFA, Director, Investments, Private Equity, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
• Martin Lebeau, MBA, CPA, CA, Chief Financial Officer, Accedian Networks
• Normand Lebeau, President, Mandrake Vézina Lebeau
• Stéphane Lefebvre, CPA, CA, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Cirque du Soleil
• Dany Lehoux, MBA, Senior Director, Business Development, PwC
• Monica Rocheleau, Events Manager and Coordinator, Quebec Chapter of FEI Canada

About Financial Executives International Canada (FEI Canada)

Financial Executives International Canada (FEI Canada) or Dirigeants financiers internationaux du Canada (DFI Canada) is the all-industry professional association for senior financial executives. With 11 chapters across Canada and 1,600 members, FEI Canada provides professional development, thought leadership and advocacy services to its members.

The Quebec Chapter currently has nearly 200 members. The association membership, which includes Chief Financial Officers, Audit Committee Directors and senior executives in the Finance, Controller, Treasury and Taxation functions, represents a significant number of Canada's leading and most influential corporations. Further information can be found at www.feicanada.org/quebec.