This text is part of the special Feminine Leadership notebook
The President and CEO of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Foundation (HMR), Julie Desharnais, has always placed social justice at the heart of her actions. The one who has been involved in the health field for more than 20 years is preparing to deploy one of the largest fundraising campaigns in the history of the HMR. Meet a leader who is not afraid of challenges.
“I started my career as a social worker at the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve CLSC and in schools. Then, I worked in social pediatrics and finally found myself at the HMR Foundation. My professional career has therefore kept me in the east of Montreal for many years,” recognizes Julie Desharnais, who is actively involved in making this sector of the metropolis shine.
On the academic level, CEO G. began his journey with a bachelor’s degree in social work. “I did it in the desire to contribute to a better society: a fairer, more inclusive society, which leaves no one behind,” she explains. Ms. Desharnais continued her training with a master’s degree in organizational management before completing an EMBA in a joint program at McGill University and HEC, in order to improve her skills.
Teamwork
The person who has defended equitable access to services and health care for many years knows that you need to be well supported to bring about change. “It’s together that we succeed in making things happen, in changing them. To do this, you also need to have a common perspective and vision. A team is essential to achieving objectives,” says Julie Desharnais.
It is alongside her team at the HMR Foundation that the manager is preparing to take on a major challenge, that of acting as a leading player in the modernization and development project. expansion of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital.
“The HMR Foundation will be an essential partner in the next major fundraising campaign. The modernization project arises because the HMR is undergoing transformation. There are going to be major developments associated with precision medicine and the medicine of tomorrow,” maintains Ms. Desharnais. They will allow the hospital center to better meet the needs of patients who come from across Canada. “Especially for its areas of excellence,” says the CEO proudly. of the Foundation.
Equity as a compass
Julie Desharnais’ commitment to working to reduce social inequities is not new. She also admits to having always spoken out to help people who were suffering from harm, from a young age. “I have always had an ideal of social justice, of equity. It’s always been in me. Even though I didn’t have a vision of myself when I was young, it was clear that I would work from a social justice perspective. My journey is therefore not very surprising,” says the one who remembers having defended many classmates in the schoolyard.
Today, it is through philanthropy that CEO G. help your neighbor. “My job is to meet people who want to give, get involved and have an impact. These people, like me, want to improve equity and access to care,” she summarizes.
Be a female leader
Ms. Desharnais believes that many barriers still exist for women who aspire to become managers of an organization. She also affirms that the conditions in which they can exercise their leadership role must improve and reflect their reality, thus referring to work-family balance. “We need to break through this glass ceiling and recognize that a woman’s mental load is greater. We see this in several studies. » Despite the progress of recent years, the one who makes it her duty to mentor women who access management positions recognizes that there is still much to do.
So, if Julie Desharnais took women like Pauline Marois and Louise Arbor as role models during her professional career, we can bet that today she is one of those who in turn inspire the new generation of female leaders.
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Dutyrelating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.
