A seasoned politician and administrator, Diane Lemieux has held key positions in public administration and contributed to the development of social and economic policy in Québec. A law graduate from the Université de Sherbrooke, she chaired the Conseil du statut de la femme (1996–1998) before being elected as a Member of the National Assembly for the Parti Québécois in Bourget in 1998. She served for nearly 10 years in the National Assembly, including as Minister of Labour and Employment (1998–2001) and Minister of Culture and Communications (2001–2003).

The first woman to serve as House Leader of the Official Opposition (2004–2007), she later left politics to join the private sector at Vision Globale, before returning to public service as Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Montréal (2009–2010). In 2011, she became the first woman to head the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ), a position she held until 2023, where she led major reforms in the construction industry.

Recipient of numerous distinctions, including the Médaille de l’Assemblée nationale and the Prix Femmes d’affaires du Québec, she serves on UTILE’s Board of Directors as President, continuing her commitment to developing social infrastructure that makes housing a key factor in student success.

A financial manager at Desjardins, Brigitte Chabarekh brings more than 25 years of experience in accounting and budget management, as well as in governance. A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), her expertise in financial process optimization and risk management has led her to oversee a team of nearly 300 employees. Her commitment also extends to the Desjardins Pension Committee and to various boards of directors, reinforcing her role as a key figure in the financial and institutional sector.

At UTILE, she serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Audit Committee on the Board of Directors. Her involvement as a director helps ensure sound governance and safeguards the financial health of the organization.

A lawyer specializing in commercial real estate, Sylvie Samson is a partner at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg, where she advises public and private companies on the acquisition, development, and management of real estate assets. Admitted to the bars of Québec and Ontario, she works with REITs, pension funds, and real estate developers on large-scale transactions.

Recognized for her pragmatic approach and expertise in negotiation, she serves as Secretary on UTILE’s Board of Directors. Actively engaged in her field, she also sits on the Governance Committee of the Institut de développement urbain du Québec and teaches real estate law.

Director of Infrastructure and Real Estate Assets at the Université du Québec and Executive Director of the Société immobilière de l’Université du Québec (SIUQ), Jean-Sébastien Gohier brings more than 20 years of experience in managing real estate and cultural projects. He holds a master’s degree in project management (ESG UQAM) and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). He has held several strategic positions in planning and asset management, including as Director of the Bureau de projets immobiliers, where he oversaw major projects for the Québec university network.

His career also includes leadership roles in cultural management, notably as Executive Director of Picouille Théâtre and as a collaborator with Cirque du Soleil. As a board member of both UTILE and SIUQ, he plays a key role in advancing sustainable real estate development and governance within two organizations that share the goal of providing sustainable student housing.

Vice-President of the Fédération étudiante collégiale du Québec (FECQ), Jacob Parisée is actively engaged in political representation and the defense of student rights. He coordinates campaigns, manages public relations, and develops strategic policy positions. Formerly President of the Cégep de Chicoutimi Student Association, he led mobilizations and advocated for the remuneration of internships before several political bodies.

He has also served as Vice-President of the FECQ’s Sociopolitical Affairs Committee. His career is defined by ongoing involvement in student associations and in movements to improve students’ living conditions.

Director of the Rector’s Office at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), Kathleen Bélanger has more than 20 years of experience in the Québec university network. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history, a bachelor’s degree in education, and a master’s degree in education. Over the course of her career at UQTR, she has held a variety of strategic positions, developing expertise in university governance and institutional management. She plays a key role in coordinating the Rector’s activities, strategic oversight, and developing both internal and external relations.

Previously Director of Continuing Education and Off-Campus Training, she contributed to campus expansion and the implementation of major projects. She also volunteers her time on several boards of directors.

Studying public management at ESG UQAM, Stéphanie Millette is actively engaged in student representation and social advocacy. She has served as Vice-President of Sociopolitical Affairs for the Association étudiante de l’École des sciences de la gestion (AÉESG) since 2025, after serving as President of the Association des étudiants en sciences économiques et en gestion publique (AESE-UQAM) in 2024–2025.

Active within university bodies, she also served as Vice-President of Communications for AESE-UQAM, where she contributed to student mobilization and the development of collective strategies.

Alongside her studies, she works at Desjardins, where she is building expertise in administrative support and operations. Her ongoing involvement reflects a strong commitment to inclusive student governance rooted in social realities.

Studying mechanical engineering at Polytechnique Montréal, Loïc Goyette has been actively involved in student representation since the beginning of his academic journey. He first served as Vice-President of Education on the Mechanical Engineering Student Committee, before being elected President of the Polytechnique Student Association (AEP), a position he held for two consecutive terms from 2023 to 2025.

An experienced representative of the student community, he has served on several institutional bodies and helped build lasting relationships with stakeholders in the university sector. Since 2025, he has been Coordinator of Sociopolitical Affairs at the Union étudiante du Québec (UEQ), where he continues his commitment to improving student living conditions, with a particular focus on housing.

He is also involved in Polytechnique’s Student–Business Liaison Committee and works as an assistant coach with youth in the Bien dans mes baskets program. His determination, team spirit, and energy make him a dedicated advocate for student and community life.