The Montreal Sacré-Coeur Hospital Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors: Ms. Chantal Poitras, Head of People and Culture, Americas at Siemens Healthineers, and Mr. Yves Gougoux, Chairman of the Board at Publicis Canada.
Chantal Poitras : a rich and diverse experience in large companies
Board member since November 2025
Ms. Chantal Poitras holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Psychology from Université Laval and completed the Executive Leadership Development Program at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. She has served as Head of People and Culture, Americas at Siemens Healthineers since March 2025.
Previously, she was a member of the global Human Resources leadership team at AtkinsRéalis, where she served as Senior Vice President for Canada, Latin America, Romania, and Algeria starting in 2013. In this role, she was responsible for HR vision, strategy, and key operational initiatives.
Before joining AtkinsRéalis, she held several senior HR leadership roles at major Canadian corporations, including the multinational Rio Tinto Alcan.
Ms. Poitras brings more than 25 years of experience in organizational transformation, strategic advisory work, communications, labour relations, and talent acquisition. With an accomplished professional track record, it was only natural for her to dedicate her expertise to a cause close to her heart: helping improve healthcare.
Serving on the Foundation’s Board of Directors is a true source of pride for her and aligns closely with her values of sharing, collaboration, and community engagement.
She also welcomes the momentum brought by the Foundation’s new CEO, Julie Pouliot:
“The Foundation plays a major and essential role in enabling the three hospitals it supports to carry out their respective missions while continuing to innovate. I am deeply motivated to make a difference in my community, and I could not have found a better cause.”
Yves Gougoux, a leading figure in the world of advertising
Board member since early February 2026
Born in Montreal and the son of a renowned pulmonologist at the Montreal Sacré-Coeur Hospital, Mr. Yves Gougoux is one of the most influential figures in the Canadian advertising industry.
He completed his university studies at Sir George Williams—now Concordia University — in Business Studies, and began his career on the client side before moving into the agency world.
After holding marketing roles at Lebeau and McDonald’s Canada, he quickly rose to leadership positions at major communications firms, including Ronalds Reynolds and Vickers & Benson.
In 1984, he made a pivotal move by acquiring the agency BCP, founded by Jacques Bouchard, a pillar of Quebec advertising creativity. He became sole owner in 1989 and helped drive its national and international growth. In 1992, he founded BCP Paris, before Publicis Worldwide acquired BCP in 1996. He was then appointed President and CEO of Publicis Canada and later moved to Paris from 1998 to 2000 to lead Publicis Conseil, the flagship agency of the global network.
Upon returning to Canada, he resumed leadership of Publicis Canada and helped transform it into the country’s leading communications group, now employing more than 1,100 people with offices in Montreal, Toronto, and Windsor. In 2015, he sold his remaining 30% ownership stake and has since served as Chairman of the Board while continuing to play a strategic leadership role.
Alongside his professional career, Mr. Gougoux has been actively involved in philanthropy. He has served on the boards of the Fondation Mira and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
A long-time donor and committed ambassador of the Foundation’s major fundraising campaign, he now brings his leadership to projects aimed at improving the dignity and well-being of patients.
The Foundation is proud to welcome these two accomplished leaders to its ranks. Their complementary expertise will help attract new donors and further advance the Foundation’s mission—especially during this centennial year of the Montreal Sacré-Coeur Hospital.