Biographical note

From 2020 to 2022, Ben Marc Diendéré worked at VIA Rail Canada as chief public affairs and communications officer. He oversaw the strategic direction, alignment and operational performance of activities related to internal and external communications, public affairs and media relations, as well as government and stakeholder relations. He also led initiatives to promote universal accessibility, sustainable development and social responsibility.

Over the course of his career, Mr. Diendéré has worked in the public and private sectors, at the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles [cultural enterprises development society] and at Partenariat International [international partnership]. Prior to joining VIA Rail Canada, he was, from 2011 to 2019, the senior vice-president of communications, public affairs and brand image at Sollio Cooperative Group (formerly La Coop fédérée [federated co‑op]). From 2005 to 2011, he was senior director of institutional relations and public and corporate affairs at Quebecor Media.

Mr. Diendéré has a graduate degree from HEC Montréal, a master’s degree in marketing management from Paris-Panthéon-Assas University’s French Press Institute and a master’s degree in the sociology of information and communication from the University of Ouagadougou.

Highly involved in his community, Mr. Diendéré has sat on the boards of directors of a dozen organizations working in a variety of sectors, such as arts and culture, economic development and diversity and inclusion. He has been chair of the Board of Directors of UNICEF Canada since 2022, of the University of Montréal’s development committee since 2021 and of the Conseil des arts de Montréal [Montréal arts council] since 2020. He has also been a member of Little Brothers since 2020, Groupe 3737 [3737 group] since 2018 and Excellence Québec [Quebec excellence] since 2016, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the University of Montréal since 2014.