Vice-President, Communications, Public Affairs
and Sustainability
Originally from Sherbrooke and having lived in Montreal for nearly 30 years, François holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the Université de Sherbrooke.
Throughout his career, he has worked across six different industries, leveraging his expertise within organizations such as Johnson & Johnson, Astral Media, Pierre Fabre, and Sandoz. With more than 28 years of experience, he has held strategic leadership positions and served on several executive committees, contributing to business development, sales, marketing, commercial operations, as well as the visibility and sustainable growth of the organizations he has supported.
François joined Cascades in 2020 as Vice-President, Marketing and Innovation, North America, before assuming the role of Vice-President, Commercial, North America, in 2022. In July 2026, he was appointed Vice-President, Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability. In this role, he helps strengthen the company’s reputation, foster constructive dialogue with stakeholders, and advance Cascades’ sustainability commitments in alignment with its business strategy.
Recognized as a results-oriented change agent, François stands out for his ability to unite teams around a shared vision and transform complex challenges into value-creation opportunities. An experienced communicator and negotiator, he excels at building strong, lasting relationships with partners, customers, communities, and other stakeholders, both in Canada and internationally. Known for his engaging leadership style, coaching approach, and training expertise, he actively supports talent development and fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
Both creative and analytical, François approaches challenges with pragmatism, designing innovative solutions that meet stakeholder expectations while generating a positive impact for the organization and society.
Driven by a desire to give back to the next generation, François regularly serves as a guest speaker for undergraduate and graduate students, particularly on topics such as career management, leadership, organizational transformation, and the importance of career choices.
Outside of work, he is the proud father of two daughters who compete at a high level in their respective sports. He also enjoys spending time with his family skiing in the Sutton mountains. A collector car enthusiast, he has a special passion for vintage British automobiles.
