The Board of Directors of the Port of Sept-Îles has announced the appointment of Alexandra Chouinard as President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Pierre D. Gagnon, who held the position for the past 24 years.
On January 25, the Board of Directors and the CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles announced that a transition process was underway for the Port’s senior management.
As stated in the Canada Marine Act, it is the duty of the Board of Directors to appoint its chief executive officer. A call for talent was therefore launched, with the support of the firm Go HR, to manage the process of identifying the best person to ensure business continuity and port development in line with the organisation’s values and culture.
Born in Gaspésie and raised in Sept-Îles, the new President and CEO is well acquainted with the realities and challenges of the region, as well as its economic and social issues. With a bachelor’s degree in business administration from HEC Montréal, Ms. Chouinard has held expert and management positions, notably within the Project Office of ArcelorMittal Mines Canada. Alexandra Chouinard was also the first woman to be appointed director within the Engineering and Projects group since the founding of Quebec Cartier Mining Company in 1957.
Throughout her career, Ms. Chouinard has demonstrated her sense of action, promoting innovation and, above all, value creation. Her collaborative leadership, values, ability to establish strategic partnerships and mobilise stakeholders from all walks of life are important assets in meeting the challenges facing the Port of Sept-Îles.
Ms. Chouinard’s appointment will take effect on 11 August, and she will first familiarise herself with the files prior to any public interventions.
Commented Bernard Lynch, Chairman of the Port’s Board of Directors: “We took our work very seriously and were pleased to receive and review high-quality applications, which reflects the strength of our organisation and its appeal to exceptional managers. It is with great pleasure and immense pride that the Board of Directors announces that it has unanimously placed its trust in Ms. Alexandra Chouinard to lead the Port of Sept-Îles.”
Alexandra Chouinard stated: “Having grown up in Sept-Îles, I have witnessed the rapid rise and transformative growth of the Port of Sept-Îles over the past two decades. It is therefore with great humility and immense respect for this institution, for the tremendous work accomplished by Mr. Gagnon and his entire team, that I take on this new challenge, accompanied by a sincere desire to ensure the smoothest possible transition. I would like to thank the board for its confidence in me, and I look forward to working closely with industry, communities and business partners to continue to grow and promote the Port of Sept-Îles.
About the Port of Sept-Îles
With its diverse and efficient facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is the largest mineral port in North America, with an anticipated volume of over 40 million tonnes in 2025. It is also recognized as the largest port terminal in the primary aluminium industry in the Americas in terms of volume of activity. The presence of the Port of Sept-Îles’ infrastructure plays a vital and strategic role in supporting the economy of eastern Canada.
A pioneer on the St. Lawrence River with the establishment of the first environmental monitoring observatory for its marine ecosystem and a research chair with Laval University on coastal ecosystems and port activities, sustainable development is firmly rooted in its values and actions.
(Photos from SIPA)