Isabelle Adjahi

“It was natural for me to say yes. As a mother, I understand perfectly that a parent will fight to the bitter end for their child. They have my admiration. I do it for them. What's more, Leucan embodies values that are dear to me: courage, commitment and authenticity.”

Isabelle Adjahi: an authentic and committed leader

An energetic and audacious leader, Isabelle Adjahi has been recognized for over 25 years for her expertise in the field of communications. Currently Vice-President of Communications at the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, she previously held senior management positions at Lion Électrique, WSP Global and Axcan Pharma. She has been honoured on several occasions for her excellence in this field, including receiving the prestigious “Award for Excellence in Investor Relations” from the Canadian Investor Relations Institute (CIRI) in 2023. She is also deeply involved in her community, and for many years sat on the Board of Directors of the Mothers with Power Foundation, which supports young single mothers. Today, she puts her leadership and dedication to work for children with cancer, proving once again that nothing stops her when it comes to making a difference.

Taking part in Les Audacieuses for Leucan was an obvious choice for Isabelle. Deeply moved by the cause, she admires the strength of children with cancer and their parents. “It was natural for me to say yes. As a mother, I understand perfectly that a parent will fight to the bitter end for their child. They have my admiration. I do it for them. What's more, Leucan embodies values that are dear to me: courage, commitment and authenticity.”

“What amazes me about children with cancer is the serenity with which they face their illness. Their courage and strength are a lesson for us all.”

She also points out something important: unlike children with cancer, she has the choice to say goodbye to her hair. “For me, it's temporary. My hair will grow back. These children have no choice but to lose their hair. I offer them my sincerest support.”

Staying true to herself

With a career marked by excellence, Isabelle is a recognized leader in her field as well as being a present mother. Her life path illustrates an unwavering determination to remain true to herself, her family and her integrity. “I'm full of gratitude for my life's journey, for the life I lead, for my daughters, for everything. I'm proud of how far I've come.”

Isabelle doesn't pretend; she lives fully and assumes who she is, without compromise. “I'm full, completely and absolutely whole.’’

This strength of being totally assumed enables her to have a positive effect on those around her, and to pass on strong values to her daughters. “Raising my daughters is the most beautiful thing I've done in my life. They make me so proud. They guide me in my decisions. I feel that my choices are in line with what I've passed on to my daughters: the courage to follow your heart, authenticity, and the importance of making a positive impact around you.”

A bold approach

Since arriving in Canada in 1995, Isabelle has turned every challenge into an opportunity, and every difficult decision into a learning experience. Very intuitive, she makes courageous choices, even if it means starting all over again: “I made the choice in my career to leave at a certain point because I was in an environment where I no longer recognized myself. The values weren't mine. I left everything behind and went back home.’’

Isabelle dares. She doesn't limit herself to convention, and always follows her intuition. Her boldness shines through in her professional and personal choices: “It's important to be able to look at yourself in the mirror every morning and be in line with who you are.” She embodies an inspiring boldness, one that pushes you to follow your own path, no matter what the obstacles.

A sincere, straightforward leader

A leader at heart, Isabelle has had an impressive career. She believes that to be a good leader, you have to put your money where your mouth is. She leads by example. “Beyond the rhetoric, actions must follow. But before taking action, it's important to listen to others. People have to be at the heart of my decisions.’’

With her experience and vision, Isabelle has left her mark on her environment. Although she is a leader in her field, her humility sets her apart: “When I go back to Africa to see my family, it doesn't matter what position I hold here in Canada''. It's precisely this ability to remain accessible and true, despite her successes, that makes her unique and an inspiring role model for leadership.

With her commitment, audacity and generosity, Isabelle Adjahi fully embodies the spirit of an Audacieuse. An inspiring woman who makes things happen with sincerity and passion.