NETWORK AND MEMBERS
A NETWORK OF MUTUAL ASSISTANCE AND INFLUENCE
The Association of Québec Women in Finance (AFFQ) was created to contribute to the professional advancement of women and underscore the strategic role they play in the economic development and growth of Québec, both at home and abroad. In fulfilling its mandate, the AFFQ accelerates the careers of its members by developing strategies and taking concrete action to help them become known and recognized within the business, government and media communities.
Building a network and getting involved in it is a must for any professional seeking to further her career. And while the results of your efforts may not always be immediately obvious, your network brings you closer to your objectives, one step at a time. The advantages and spin-offs are many, and we encourage you to actively develop and follow up on your AFFQ links.
FIVE EXCELLENT REASONS TO PARTICIPATE
- Break the isolation, exchange tips and experiences
Every day, you face a range of situations and must ask yourself many questions: "Am I in a conflict of interest situation? Does the decision I'm about to make comply with the code of ethics for my profession? Where can I find a resource for this issue or that? What are the current best practices for a given area of interest?" Some AFFQ events have the sole purpose of bringing together professionals from the financial sector, who, often facing the same problems or challenges, meet to find solutions, exchange points of view, share tips, and dispel doubts. Expanding your network of contacts allows others to get to know you better and in doing so increases your chances of professional referrals.
- Acquire knowledge and reach your full potential
Many networking opportunities take the form of training sessions, seminars and conferences, where experts from various fields share information pertinent to your particular area of expertise. Attending these activities will offer you the chance to join professionals who share the same challenges, handle the same issues and often aim for the same objectives as you. A wealth of information and opportunities is yours for the taking.
- Build leadership, dynamism and enthusiasm
Investing time in networking activities means giving yourself the opportunity to meet interesting women who share the same interests and aims as you - inspiring individuals who will infuse you with their dynamism and enthusiasm and who can often provide a new vision and fresh career perspective.
- The next generation: a top priority
The AFFQ is firmly committed to promoting the next generation of women in the finance sector. It is within this perspective that we are introducing an increasing number of initiatives that encourage networking, professional training and career development for the professionals of tomorrow.
- Take advantage of an international network
The AFFQ is the first international chapter of the prestigious Financial Women's Association of New York (FWA), an organization of women in finance founded in 1956 on Wall Street that our Association maintains links with even today. Building on this relationship, the AFFQ promotes a network of professional women in finance around the world, our focus squarely on the benefits we can deliver to our members.
Women on Boards
WOMEN ON BOARDS: PROMOTING THE TALENT AND EXPERTISE OF OUR MEMBERS
The AFFQ is dedicated to promoting and increasing the visibility of its members and encouraging the selection of accomplished women to sit on the boards of directors of public, private and parapublic companies as well as non-profit organizations. This is a priority for us and was the driving force behind the creation of the Women on Boards Committee.
Our objective is simple: we want to encourage our members to apply for these positions and in doing so raise awareness among companies and stakeholders in the business, government and academic sectors as to the importance of appointing more women to their boards. We open doors and facilitate the links between our members and organizations seeking competent women to sit as board members.
Through the Women on Boards Committee, the AFFQ informs, assists, promotes and encourages its members to take an interest in being selected to sit on a board of directors. In addition to the placement services offered, the committee provides integration services through advice and professional support from women who are already board members. We provide access to networks of decision makers and key influencers as well as to governance information and training programs (notably with the Institute of Corporate Directors, le Collège des administrateurs de sociétés at Université Laval, and the organization Bénévoles d'affaires).
To begin the process, we strongly recommend that our members:
- complete their AFFQ - Women on Boards profile with relevant, accurate information about their career experience and objectives as well as their areas of expertise and interest;
- consult and take part in our associated activities;
- consult the Careers section under Board Members Wanted.
For their part, NPOs, businesses and other organizations are invited to contact Hélène Jacques or Françoise Lyon, the co-directors of the Women on Boards Committee, to send us the profiles of the board members sought. It is also possible to post board openings in the AFFQ Careers section.
Board member candidates are selected as follows:
- All requests are forwarded to the Association's Women on Boards Committee.
- The committee pre-selects three candidates based on the profile sought by the requesting organization.
- The pre-selected candidates are then contacted by the AFFQ to find out whether they are interested in the position, and the list of candidates is sent to the organization.
- The requesting organization will select from among the candidates proposed by the AFFQ and contact those individuals directly.
- If required, the Committee will follow up on the organization's request with the candidate selected.
The AFFQ announces all new appointments on its website and in its newsletter to members.
Mentoring Program
2018-2019 Edition – It's time to submit your application!
Registration deadline : September 19th, 2018
A PROGRAM TO ENRICH AND PROPEL CAREERS
The AFFQ Mentoring Program was introduced in 2013 for members seeking career guidance from experienced professionals, based on the member's specific objectives, needs and challenges. This structured program allows for a one-on-one relationship between mentor and mentoree, offers training closely tailored to individual needs, and provides rigorous monthly follow-up, thus assuring a rewarding mentoring experience for all involved.
For both mentor and mentoree, this close professional relationship offers an exceptional opportunity to share experiences, expand one's thinking and enrich practices through relevant work experience and advice.
The AFFQ's objectives in offering the program are twofold: support members in their professional development and help guide them in their career progression.
What is mentoring?
Mentoring is a means of development and learning offered free of charge and based on a voluntary and confidential professional relationship. It consists of an experienced individual sharing the wisdom and expertise acquired during his or her career to foster the development of another person seeking to acquire skills and achieve professional objectives. The advantages of the Mentoring Program are many. It opens the door to a privileged relationship, while offering mentor and mentoree a mutually rewarding experience.
The AFFQ accepts applications for mentors and mentorees every autumn. Following the application period, a selection process takes place, dyads are created, and orientation and training sessions are held. Mentors and mentorees then meet on a monthly basis for one year.
The deadline to apply for the 2018-2019 to register for the Mentoring Program is September 19, 2018.
If you are interested in participating in the Mentoring Program, please complete and submit the applicable form below. The purpose of this questionnaire is to allow the best possible match between the mentors and the mentorees. To ensure the success of this experience, it is imperative that you answer this questionnaire frankly and diligently. We appreciate the time you will take to provide us with the most relevant information possible, so that the mentoring relationship experience, and that of the mentorees, are a success. All the information transmitted will remain confidential. We will contact you on October 22, 2018 once your application has been received.
(P.S. Considering that the number of dyads is limited, we cannot guarantee that your application will we selected for the 2018-2019 Edition.)
For complete details about our program, we invite you to download the information document.
Les Étincelles
Tailor-made activities to help welcome and involve new members
The AFFQ has plenty to offer its members, and we work hard to ensure that all of the professional women who join us are able to fully benefit from the Association and the resources we make available. To this end, we create friendly, informal get-togethers with other women in finance who are also new to the AFFQ!
Les Étincelles offers a series of three activities designed to welcome, coach and connect new members to help them integrate, network and make the most of their AFFQ membership.
A first step, new professional friendships, a forward momentum.
Our objectives:
CONNECT
We believe in the strength of alliances, because we know that business connections are a powerful vector of professional growth.
ACCOMPANY
We provide guidance and support, because we want all of our members to achieve their full potential.
ACCELERATE
We encourage everyone to get involved, because the AFFQ is an outstanding vehicle to promote your career.
To learn more about what Les Étincelles can do for you, click on the cohort closest to you:
Welcome to the AFFQ!
The Next Generation
of Financial Professionals
TOMORROW'S WOMEN IN FINANCE
The AFFQ has made the next generation one of its priorities. The Association welcomes tomorrow's women in finance and organizes many initiatives to encourage them to join in our activities and take charge of their own career paths. Our Mentoring Program and the Relève Award (awarded at Les Talentueuses, our annual Gala) are two such initiatives. New projects will also soon be introduced to encourage young women in finance to embark on their careers with enthusiasm and confidence and to become active members of our network.
Learning and growing
Organizing one-on-one meetings with experienced professional women, networking activities, seminars and specialized training sessions are all priorities of the members of our Board of Directors, who are also setting up a special working committee to promote and support career development among young professional women.
Establishing credibility and flourishing
Starting out in finance and setting ambitious career objectives is a little like becoming a professional athlete! You must be passionate, intuitive and ready to work long hours. Career women from all walks of life will tell you that having know-how is good, but knowing how is better. While intelligence, skill and intellectual curiosity are all major assets, becoming involved in your business network is a must in order to develop, excel, recognize your talents, identify your strengths and areas of interest, establish your credibility, and as a result, flourish.
We cordially invite and encourage members of the next generation of women in finance to become actively involved in our activities and in the AFFQ network, your network.
THE ENRICHMENT OF SHARING
Join the Cercles d'enrichissement de l'AFFQ.
Private meetings that focus on knowledge sharing and co-development.
Are you familiar with co-development?
- Sharing of knowledge and experience.
- Reduction of stress and feelings of isolation and helplessness.
- Building of skills and leadership.
- Improvement of individual and collective interpersonal skills.
- Development of behaviours and skills that promote collaboration.
- Enrichment and improvement of professional practices.
- Enhanced decision-making and better management of challenging or complex situations.
- Identification of solutions and increased ability to take action.
- New professional links.
The AFFQ presents...
WOMEN WHO HAVE EARNED OUR ATTENTION AND RESPECT
Many of our members have distinguished themselves in their profession. Whether through their awards and distinctions, involvement in a project or cause, prestigious appointment, research work, or other noteworthy initiative, Québec women in finance set themselves apart on a regular basis through the quality of their professional offering, their leadership, and the principles they follow in their practice. We want people to know about them, because they have earned our attention. Learn more about these women here.
Marie-Huguette Cormier has been Executive Vice-President, Human Resources and Communications at Desjardins Group since 2016.
Ms. Cormier has more than one string to her bow. For nearly 30 years, Desjardins Group has benefited from her passion for communications, marketing, cooperation and business development. Known for her inspiring and people-focused leadership, Ms. Cormier excels at creating a motivating environment and focusing efforts to rise to the most ambitious challenges.
She graduated with an MBA from Université Laval in 1989.
On top of her nearly 30-year commitment to amateur sport, this Olympian is also actively involved in education, health and business. In November 2009, she was named one of Canada’s 100 most powerful women by the Women’s Executive Network.
C.P. 1116, Succ. B
Montréal, QC, H3B 3K9
514 518-7557
info@affq.org
