Board of Directors
We can count on the invaluable support of our Board of Directors to ensure the proper governance of Option consommateurs. Coming from a variety of backgrounds, the members of the Board bring their experience and know-how to bear in defending the interests of consumers.

Bernard Blackburn
President
Strategist, trainer and certified corporate director, Bernard Blackburn is President and Senior Advisor in Governance, Ethics and Strategy at GUBERNA Services Conseils, and Chairman of the Ethics and Professional Conduct Investigation Committee of the Ordre des administrateurs agréés du Québec. He was president of the Quebec Organizational Ethics Network (2016-20) and a lecturer in governance at the Université de Sherbrooke (2012-14). A member of the Ordre des administrateurs agréés du Québec, he holds bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration from HEC Montréal, as well as certification in corporate governance from the Collège des administrateurs de sociétés. Mr. Blackburn has over 30 years' experience in management and strategic development, and more than 15 years in strategic coaching for senior management and boards of directors.

Geneviève Jacob
Vice-president
Geneviève has over 20 years' experience as a human resources manager in a variety of sectors. She holds a degree in industrial relations from the Université de Montréal and is a member of the Ordre des CRHA. Having worked in both SMEs and large corporations, she is skilled in negotiation, strategic planning and change management. She is currently a lecturer at Université de Montréal and HEC Montréal. She is also involved in a number of volunteer causes, having served on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Montreal (2014-2017).

Johanne Gauthier
Treasurer
Johanne is a CPA-CMA (Concordia) and holds an MBA in Finance (UQAM). With over 20 years' experience in finance and management, Johanne has worked in several industries, including telecommunications, banking and entertainment. Thanks to her appetite for a challenge, Johanne has made the difference in critical refinancing and corporate restructuring situations. She also has a wealth of experience in implementing accounting and treasury systems, and has made her mark in operational process management and strategic reporting. Her leadership skills have enabled her to sit on pan-Canadian boards, including the AFP (2011-14) and the executive board of the Society of Canadian Treasurers (2011-14). As CFO of Première Bobine Inc. Johanne sits on the executive committee of this international company.

Louis Migault
Secretary
Louis Migault has over 10 years' experience in security and privacy management. He obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees from HEC Montréal. He then began his career as a consultant with Accenture, working in the USA, Canada and Europe. He then decided to work on the customer side as Director of Security for the Aldo Group. He now works for a company called Okta, and teaches security at HEC Montréal.

Michelangelo Madalena
Board member
A law graduate in Quebec and Brazil, Mr. Madalena has worked in a number of organizations and has solid experience in civil liability, contract law, business law and corporate management. He is involved on a voluntary basis in various causes, such as consumer protection and the integration of immigrants. Among other things, Mr. Madalena worked with consumer associations for seven years, and also co-founded a business law information clinic to assist newcomer entrepreneurs. Curious and motivated, Michelangelo Madalena is always ready to take on new challenges.

Marie Lefebvre
Board member
Marie Lefebvre has over 25 years' experience in marketing and communications, notably in research, marketing, branding, content marketing, partnerships and advertising. A seasoned manager, she stands out for her ability to steer transformations that structure the future of organizations. To achieve this, consistency is her leitmotiv: her strategies and actions are anchored in a clear and ambitious strategic vision. Her career path has been marked by a number of well-known Quebec organizations: Léger, Énergir, STM, Chambre des notaires and Chenelière Éducation. Marie is currently Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec.

Marie Pier Thivierge
Board member
Ms. Thivierge is a notary-tax specialist and financial planner. She is an experienced wealth manager in estate planning, wealth management and taxation for individuals and organizations. She is an expert and consultant in complex topics such as tax planning, cash management, estate and gift planning, and business succession. Holder of a bachelor's degree in law, a diploma in notarial law and a master's degree in taxation, she is also a member of the executive committee of the wills, estates and trusts section of the Canadian Bar Association, a writer and trainer for the Institut québécois de planification financière and Vice-President of the Board of Directors, Association des jeunes notaires du Québec.

Ferdinand Tchounkeu
Board member
Ferdinand Tchounkeu is a Certified Corporate Director (ASC, C.Dir.-Chartered Director), and has served on boards of directors and their committees for several years. He has 20 years' professional experience in project and operations management in the agri-food processing industry, both in Canada and Switzerland.
His experience with consumer products for multinationals such as Danone, Nespresso and Nestlé has given him a wealth of experience in managing consumer interests.
Ferdinand holds an MBA (finance and management option) and a certificate in financial planning from HEC Montréal, and is a graduate of the Haute École d'Ingénieurs du Valais in Switzerland.

Catherine Gauthier
Board member
A certified customer experience expert (CCXP), Catherine advises companies on their transformation using collaborative innovation methods such as design thinking. A certified trainer, she works with various professional training organizations and universities. Catherine is co-founder of CXPA Québec and President of CXPA Canada. In 2022, she was nominated for two CXPA Customer Experience Impact Awards, and was included in the Greenbook “Future 30” list for marketing research. She has served on several boards, after completing the Young Directors Network (YDN) program at the Jeune Chambre de Commerce de Montréal. Passionate about customer experience and corporate social responsibility, she is committed to creating a consumer-centric, respectful and ethical culture, avoiding the creation of false needs and reducing potential frustrations.