Montreal, June 22, 2023 – The entire BNP Philanthropic Performance team is pleased to count Martine Lesieur among its philanthropy consultants. She will provide support to various organizations in the National Capital and Central Quebec regions.
A very sporty career start!
In 1976, Martine Lesieur began her professional career with the National Alpine Ski Team as a high-level athlete. This first professional experience allowed her to then pursue a bachelor’s degree in Physical Activity Sciences from the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières (UQTR); a degree that she obtained in 1984 that allowed her to integrate professionally and make her mark at this same university.
In fact, for about 42 years, Martine would oscillate between different departments and jobs. She began this new experience first as a Coordinator of Sports Programs for 17 years then, she became Head of Public and Media Relations between 1997 and 2002. This jack-of-all trades then made the decision to pursue the short graduate program in Public Management at the National School of Public Administration (ÉNAP) in order to gain more knowledge to improve the performance of an organization.
What if the passion for sports education became a philanthropic focus?
Always passionate about philanthropy and causes related to education, Martine is convinced that they can be a real lever of wealth and development essential to societies. Consequently, after graduating in 2002, she joined Collège Laflèche as Director of the Foundation, and of the Communications and Human Resources Department in order to be as close as possible to the sector that is so special to her.
A deep devotion to UQTR
A few years later, she returned to her alma mater, UQTR, as a Human Resources Advisor, then President of the Organizational Committee from 2006 to 2007. Finally, it was in 2007 that Martine showcased her leadership and her determination, by becoming General Manager of the university’s foundation. During her mandate, she had the opportunity to lead the major fundraising campaign (2009-2014).
She managed, with the help of her teams, to raise more than $27 million, including more than $8 million to build the new pavilion on the UQTR campus in Drummondville from 2013 to 2016. Throughout her mandate, she developed her philanthropic culture as well as her skills in governance and project management, while surrounding herself with people who share the same values as her. This increased her desire to continue her philanthropic endeavors and commitments. That’s exactly what she did!
To complete her academic training, Martine opted for a postgraduate degree in Administration from the University of Sherbrooke in 2010. She decided to dedicate the subject of her thesis to philanthropy in the context of universities. This study gave her the opportunity to complete her learning on the history of philanthropy and on the mechanisms of coordinating major fundraising campaigns. Finally, following these experiences, from 2016 to 2021, Martine held the role of Director of the Office of the Rector at UQTR, where she was notably in charge of the establishment’s strategic planning while directing operations at the Drummondville campus.
Today, by joining the team of professionals and consultants at BNP Philanthropic Performance, Martine brings her dynamism, her strong knowledge of the education sector and also her talent for being of service to organizations in Quebec.
Esther Tranchemontagne, Executive Vice-President of Québec and Est-du-Québec of BNP Philanthropic Performance, says: “We are delighted to welcome a new sports personality and go-getter! Martine Lesieur will be an excellent source of knowledge for organizations in the education sector, but for all sectors of activity as well. Her significant experience in foundation and major campaign management will be of the greatest support to organizations in need of consulting services.”
