We continue our series of portraits of Finance Montréal team members with a loyal member of the team, for 7 years now: Pauline Barraque-Bigot, our Senior Advisor, Strategic Initiatives, Sustainable Finance.
What attracted you to Finance Montréal?
I always knew during my studies that I did not want to do "traditional" finance. Instead, I wanted to work with decision-makers and a variety of stakeholders. When I discovered Finance Montréal, it was a small organization at the forefront of financial industry trends, uniting the industry and its ecosystem around common initiatives for the Quebec financial sector. Working for a cause bigger than myself, with a focus on economic development and the common good, appealed to me right away. We've grown since then, but that ambition remains intact.
What do you like most about Finance Montréal?
I particularly appreciate the opportunity to be versatile and to work on a variety of projects on a daily basis. I also like the flexibility that allows us to seize opportunities and respond to calls from our community.
Tell us about an initiative you enjoyed working on and are proud of.
Finance Montréal's participation and the mobilization of our financial players in the climate and biodiversity COPs were high points. In 2022, the second part of COP15, held in Montréal, enabled Quebec to demonstrate its leadership in biodiversity and its concrete commitment to an ecological and economic transition. Since then, Quebec and our members have been shining, thanks in particular to the public commitments made through Finance Montréal's open letters.
Tell us about one of your passions.
Those who know me know that I devote part of my free time to artistic gymnastics. I'm passionate about it, and I always give my best to the projects that are close to my heart. The values of sport and the life lessons that gymnastics has taught me are rooted in me. I'm very involved in the Montréal gymnastics community, passing on what I've learned to young gymnasts and the next generation, whether they're in finance or not. I'm convinced that the values acquired by practising a sport from an early age make us better people. As a coach, judge, competitive sector manager and trainer, you can find me on the competition circuit at weekends!
What would you say to a young person to encourage them to take an interest in finance?
It's often said that finance is the world of money. True, but it is above all the nervous system of the economy and a driving force for change. You can work in finance in any sector and for any type of organization. If you want to work in a dynamic ecosystem, where stakeholders collaborate and pool their resources to develop a more sustainable economy, finance is for you. Quebec's financial ecosystem is exceptional, and I'm sure you'll find an organization aligned with your personal values.
