Élise Proulx
Vice-President, Social Infrastructure Development, CDPQ Infra
Vice President - Social Infrastructure Development since May 2024, Élise is responsible for implementing and piloting this brand-new business line within CDPQ Infra. She was previously at Ivanhoé Cambridge as Head of Economic Development - Quebec where she led business development and investment strategy in Quebec, helping to secure the organization's legacy and consolidate the implementation of its dual mission of creating value for its depositors and communities. A seasoned manager with more than twenty years of experience, she first joined Ivanhoé Cambridge in March 2020 as Executive Vice-President, Public Affairs, Communications and Chief of Staff, where she oversaw all communications at Ivanhoé Cambridge, including reputation management, public affairs, government relations and the social involvement of Ivanhoé Cambridge and its employees in its community.
Until 2020, Ms. Proulx held the position of Vice President, Communications, Government Affairs and Indigenous Relations, at Hydro-Québec. Before holding that position, she founded her own public relations firm, where she quickly acquired an enviable reputation for leadership, team spirit and intellectual rigour. She advised numerous decision makers in various areas of the public and private sectors, including culture, luxury goods and customer service, as well as several Quebec municipalities and a regional county municipality. Before starting her own business, she served as Manager, Communications and Public Affairs, at Hydro Ottawa and as Strategic Advisor and Corporate Spokesperson at Hydro-Québec.
In the 2018 edition of the prestigious Mercuriades contest held by the Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce, she was named an Exceptional Young Businesswoman in the large companies’ category, in recognition of her leadership.
Always ready to get involved in her community, Élise sits on the boards of Montréal International, the Institut de développement urbain du Québec (IDU) and Fillactive. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications with a major in public relations from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and an Executive MBA from UQAM’s École des sciences de la gestion. She also holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and is an accredited sommelier for her own enjoyment.