Biographical notes

Madeleine Féquière (BA [Translation], Concordia University, 1985) works as the corporate credit chief at Domtar Corporation since 2008, providing oversight and support for credit risk management on a global scale. She is a recognized expert, in leadership, corporate credit administration, credit risk and operations, credit enhancements and international trade. She acquired this expertise among the world’s leading companies over 35 years. She has implemented innovative, proven strategies and deployed efficient credit structures across the Americas and in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. During her career, Ms. Féquière held global executive positions for companies in diverse sectors of the economy, including agri-food, technology, software, telecommunications, pulp and paper and personal care.

A seasoned board director, Ms. Féquière’s experience in corporate governance spans over 25 years of active involvement on the boards and committees of numerous organizations in the cultural, health, education and business sectors. She has been a board member of Investissement Québec (and its audit and risk management committees) since 2014, a member of the board of the University of Montréal (and its audit committee) since 2015 and an expert panel member of the Canadian Centre for the Purpose of the Corporation.

As a speaker highly sought after on a global scale, she is a recurring keynote guest at major global conferences in her field, including for the Association of International Credit and Trade Finance Professionals; the Finance, Credit & International Business Association; and the Credit Institute of Canada. She writes articles that are published in specialized credit magazines globally.

A co-founder of the Excellence Québec initiative, she actively works to support the challenges of inclusion, diversity, equality and accessibility by integrating promising young leaders into the management, finance and governance communities.

Ms. Féquière holds a directors education program diploma in governance from the Rotman School of Management of the University of Toronto, an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, a mini-MBA from the McGill Executive Institute and a certificate in finance from HEC Montréal jointly with the Credit Institute of Canada.

Ms. Féquière is a Member of the Order of Canada.

David Hartman (BA Hons [History], Queen’s University, 1993; MA [History], University of Ottawa, 1996), after working as a special assistant to a member of Parliament, joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1998. He has served as executive director of the Greater China Division, acting director general of the Invest in Canada Bureau and director of the Trade Commissioner Service’s business sectors division responsible for the aerospace and defence, automotive, and information and communication technologies industries. David served most recently as director general of the South Asia Bureau, in which he was responsible for the oversight of Canada’s relations with 7 countries.

Leslie Scanlon (BJ Hons, Carleton University, 1986) joined External Affairs and International Trade Canada in 1990. At Headquarters, she has served in several director general positions in the International Platform and Emergency Management branches. Ms. Scanlon has also worked twice in regional offices in Canada as a trade officer: in Halifax at the International Trade Centre (1990 to 1991) and in New Westminster for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (1996 to 1998). Abroad, her previous assignments include trade commissioner at the embassy in Tokyo (1992 to 1996) and minister-counsellor, communications and public affairs, at the embassy in Paris (2007 to 2011). Ms. Scanlon served most recently as ambassador to Poland and Belarus (2018 to 2022).