The Foundation

Previous editions

2025 Benefit Evening

On May 21, 2025, more than 500 guests gathered on the 9th floor of the Eaton Centre for the 26th Benefit Gala of the Foundation of the Women’s Centre of Montreal. Under the theme “Setting a Course Toward Women’s Full Potential,” the evening raised $741,056 to support the Centre’s programs and services, which are offered each year to thousands of women.

Presented as a cocktail reception, the Benefit Gala offers a warm and elegant setting conducive to conversation, networking, and collective engagement. It brings together committed members of Montreal’s business community around a shared goal: promoting women’s autonomy and empowering them to take control of their lives.

Held once a year, the Foundation’s Benefit Gala is the flagship fundraising event in support of the Women’s Centre of Montreal. Each edition brings together allies of the cause in a welcoming and engaged atmosphere to tangibly support the Centre’s mission: Help women help themselves.

The 26th edition was marked by:
An inspiring maritime ambiance
A live artistic performance by painter Guilbo
Powerful testimonies and hopeful speeches
Rich, engaging exchanges
 
A heartfelt thank you!
The Foundation of the Women’s Centre of Montreal extends its sincere thanks to the honorary co-chairs, patrons, partners, sponsors, donors, employees, and guests who contributed to the success of this 26th edition.

Honorary Co-Chairs
Isabelle Garon, First Vice-President, Marketing, Communications, Cooperation and Office of the President, Desjardins
Renée Laflamme, Executive Vice-President, Individual Insurance, Savings and Retirement, iA Financial Group
Anne-Marie Roy, Vice-President, Technology and Operations, Personal Banking, Banking Services, Financing, Insurance and Channels, National Bank of Canada
Patrons
Daniel Alvarez, Desjardins Group
Johanne Bélisle, Foundation of the Women’s Centre of Montreal
Janie Bilodeau, iA Financial Group
Joëlle Carroll Bilodeau, PwC
Paula Ceballos, CGI
Anne-Lisa De Forest, Zscaler
Marie-Hélène Delonca, National Bank of Canada
Karine Desforges, Englobe
Annik Desmarteau, Ivanhoé Cambridge
Johanne Duhaime, Desjardins Group
Isabelle Durand, iA Financial Group
Louise Fourès, La Vie en Rose
Alexandra Généreux, AECOM
Jason Haas, Pomerleau
Ian Lapostolle, St-Denis Thompson
Julie Lévesque, National Bank of Canada
Julie Morand, Fonds de solidarité FTQ
Catherine Newman, Laurentian Bank
Angela Onesi, Fasken
Lynda Poulin, Desjardins Group
Caroline Pouliot, Intact Financial Corporation
Valérie Sapin, Desjardins Group
Ashee Sarin, Deloitte

 

2024 BENEFIT EVENING

The Benefit Evening of the Foundation is the annual event that raises funds to support the services and programs of the Women's Centre of Montréal. 

The 25th edition took place under the theme "From Spark to Light" at the prestigious St. James Theatre on April 18, 2024. Surrounded by an assembly of 500 guests, we managed to raise the sum of $769,300, which will make a concrete difference in the lives of women seeking help from the Center.

Our remarkable co-hosts, Geneviève Borne and Francis Reddy, perfectly embodied the theme of the evening, bringing light and energy to every moment and ensuring remarkable entertainment.

We wish to express heartfelt thanks to the fundraising committee, our precious donors, sponsors, and guests for their generosity and commitment.

Fundraising committee: 

 

 

2023 BENEFIT EVENING

In 2023, the benefit evening marked the 50th anniversary of the Centre with the theme "50 years supporting women. Let's continue to work together". 

Thanks to the dynamism and exceptional support of the co-presidents, patrons and sponsors, $1,088,500 was raised! A fundraising event that reached unprecedented heights and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Centre with magnificence!

The 2023 Benefit Evening included a brilliantly animated performance by the energetic duo of Geneviève Borne and Francis Reddy, a memorable artistic performance by the extraordinary Laurence Jalbert, a very touching video testimony from a participant of the Centre, and a beautiful photo exhibition tracing the 50 years of the Centre's existence.

We would like to thank, from the bottom of our hearts, the fundraising committee, sponsors, donors and all those who made the evening a historic success.