Mathieu Lavoie is a mechanical engineer and the founder of TimberMAX, a Quebec‑based company that designs mechatronic equipment aimed at increasing safety and performance in operations on difficult terrain. Under his leadership, TimberMAX has rapidly become a front‑runner in safe mechanisation on steep slopes, exporting its innovative technologies to a number of international markets. A graduate of the University of Sherbrooke, Mathieu pursues a human‑focused, sustainable approach to engineering, where simplicity, reliability and a positive impact on human labour guide every one of his innovations.

Amy Lachapelle is a prolific author from the Témiscamingue region, born in 1983. Passionate about words and culture, she earned a DEC (college diploma) in Arts and Letters followed by a bachelor’s degree in Communication, which gave her a solid expertise in literary creation and dissemination. In 2006 she was appointed Literary Director of Z'ailées Editions, a publishing house renowned for its commitment to youth literature and for giving voice to a diversity of writers.

Amy is also a member of the Quebec Association of Writers for Youth, actively promoting reading among young audiences. Deeply involved in regional cultural life, she sits on the Témiscamingue Cultural Commission and hosts the “Plaisir de lire” (Pleasure of Reading) column on CKVM radio. Her talent and dynamism earned her invitations as a youth author at the Abitibi‑Témiscamingue Book Fair (2011) and the Trois‑Rivières Book Fair (2013).

A passionate editor of international literature, Amy has taken part in several overseas book fairs, building a strong network of agents who represent her titles in Asia. Looking to further expand her projects, she aims to secure new sales of publishing rights in the coming years and to broaden her reach into the Latin‑American market, seeking an agent dedicated to that region.

Éric Beaupré is the president of Technosub, a company that has been thriving well beyond Quebec’s borders for more than forty years. With extensive experience in international business development, he has helped launch subsidiaries in several provinces and countries and has driven growth through acquisitions, skillfully navigating cultural, regulatory and commercial differences. Convinced that “selling in Texas is not the same as selling in Québec,” he leverages this expertise to guide companies that want to expand their exports. Deeply attached to his home region, Éric Beaupré is actively involved in the community, eager to contribute to its economic and collective prosperity.

Trained as an agronomist and currently a PhD candidate in silvopastoralism at the Université du Québec en Abitibi‑Témiscamingue (UQAT), Frédérique Lavallée combines scientific expertise with an entrepreneurial vision to develop sustainable livestock models through her company. She has taken part in several incubation programmes—including the Transformation Programme at Esplanade Québec, the ULaval–CDPQ Entrepreneurial Academy, and numerous entrepreneurship trainings at Université Laval—and has served as vice‑president of the board of directors of the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) Abitibi‑Ouest since 2020.

Her leadership and commitment have been recognised with several distinctions: the Honour Scholarship from the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (2020), the winner of the OSEntreprendre Challenge (2020), and a finalist nomination for the Forces AVENIR awards (2023).

With Écoboeuf, Frédérique aims to open new markets and export their sustainable livestock model while guiding producers toward more resilient and innovative practices.

François Bolduc‑Teasdale is the founder and chief executive officer of Optis Engineering, a firm that specializes in the engineering of fans and pumps. He is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (the Quebec Order of Engineers) and holds a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology as well as a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Université de Sherbrooke.

Passionate about technological development and committed to innovation, François has contributed to the creation of technologies applicable to the aerospace, mining and industrial sectors. His work led him to establish a company that operates across these fields, with the goal of forging mutually beneficial collaborations and delivering sustainable innovations.

Daniel Misiano has been Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Dynacor Group Inc. since November 2024. With more than 30 years of experience in international development and mining services—particularly in Africa—he spent 12 years at MBI Global, the last seven as President, where he drove major growth and expansion. Prior to that, he spent 12 years at Atlas Copco, contributing to innovation projects and the integration of new divisions. Trilingual (French, English, Spanish), he excels at leading teams and managing operations on a global scale.

Kim Valade is a woman passionate about the talent that comes from here—a creative, authentic talent that is deeply rooted in the Abitibi‑Témiscamingue region. Formerly with Meglab, she champions regional know‑how and firmly believes in the collective potential forged by the people and resources of this unique territory. Driven by a desire to bring people together, connect them, and showcase local creativity, Kim sees Abitibi‑Témiscamingue as a fertile pool of boldness and innovation, where ideas are born with simplicity, pride and common‑sense. For her, this human‑centric, collaborative energy is the engine that opens the way to new partnerships and markets beyond the borders. Convinced that the region’s greatest wealth lies in its passionate, agile and creative people, she believes in the power of creativity as a lever for development and collective visibility.

“Betting on our creativity means believing in our ability to shine—together—from right here.”

Guillaume Marquis brings more than 25 years of service on the board of directors of 48e Nord International, where he has actively contributed to the organization’s governance and strategic development. A former president of Metal Marquis Inc., he has left a mark on the industrial sector through his leadership and a vision focused on innovation and regional growth.

Trained as an engineer (Professional Engineer, P.Eng.), Guillaume possesses recognized expertise in constructability and a broad background in the design and execution of industrial, mining, forestry and hydro‑electric projects. His career demonstrates an ability to steer complex initiatives, ensuring both technical feasibility and operational success.

Today, he continues to leverage his skills to support strategic initiatives and to strengthen the competitiveness of Quebec‑based companies in national and international markets.

Line Darveau Rivard has been General Manager of Desjardins Entreprises Abitibi‑Témiscamingue and Nord‑du‑Québec since 2023. She has been with Desjardins Entreprises since 1998, helping entrepreneurs bring their projects to life and grow their businesses.

With more than 25 years of experience in the business sector, Line possesses a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. She holds an MBA in finance and is a CFA charterholder, combining technical expertise with strategic vision to support companies in tackling their financial and organisational challenges.

Her managerial background also enables her to provide valuable guidance on work‑organisation, fostering efficiency and performance throughout the team.

Passionate about regional economic development, Line is committed to delivering solutions that meet entrepreneurs’ needs and to actively contributing to the economic vitality of the Abitibi‑Témiscamingue and Nord‑du‑Québec regions.