André Beaudry has been appointed executive director of Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC).
Mr Beaudry was most recently chief advancement officer at Saint Paul University, where he worked to establish Canada’s first School of Social Innovation, and also its first School of Transformative Leadership. He also founded the Mauril Bélanger Social Innovation Workshop.
CMC says Mr Beaudry is a senior professional in the not-for-profit sector, “driven by mission, teamwork, organisational performance and transparency”.
Working on fundraising initiatives with colleagues and community leaders, he has secured over C$140m (£82m) in private and public sector funds in support of endowment, major infrastructure, mental health, applied research, special projects, and national and international education funding priorities.
He said: “I’m truly honoured to take on this leadership role. Canada’s over 8,000 co-ops and mutuals work hard every day to deliver high quality products and services to a growing membership of 20,500,000 people.
“CMC is the leading advocate, awareness builder, source of evidence-based research, and professional development for Canada’s growing co-operatives and mutuals industry.
“It will be a distinct pleasure to collaborate with the leadership of CMC’s board of directors and dedicated team to advancing the mission of its members.”
Prior to his role at Saint Paul’s University, Mr Beaudry served as vice president of CanadianpPartnerships with Colleges and Institutes Canada, where he led a global team in Ottawa, London, New Delhi, Manila and Guangzhou.
CMC president Doug Potentier said: “We welcome André and look forward to working with him and the CMC team on achieving our strategic directions through government relations, co-op development, support for research and education, and facilitating communications and dialogue among co-operatives.
“André brings experience in building partnerships and engaging leaders in business, government and communities that will help CMC grow as a national voice for co-ops.”
Mr Beaudry replaces Denyse Guy, CMC’s founding executive director, who served in the role since 2012. With more than 35 years experience in the co-operative and mutuals sector, she will now focus on co‑operative education, facilitation and support opportunities nationally and internationally.
