THE FOUNDATION IS MANAGED BY A BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
JEAN-LOUIS ROY,
HONORARY PRESIDENT
Jean-Louis Roy holds a PhD in history from McGill University and is a member of several boards of directors, including the Ordre du Québec. He succeeds Dr. Denis Mukwege, 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, as Honorary President. He also held the positions of Director of the daily Le Devoir, Delegate General of Quebec in Paris, Secretary General of the Agence intergouvernementale de la francophonie, President of the Canadian organization Rights and Democracy, and President and CEO of the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.
Dr. JACQUES CORCOS,
PRESIDENT
Dr. Jacques Corcos is a professor of surgery (urology) at McGill University and surgeon at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal. Former Head of Surgery of Bambari Hospital (RCA), he has always been involved in voluntary assistance in Africa and elsewhere in the world. From 2008 to 2011, he was Secretary-General of the International Continence Society and is currently a member of its Executive committee. In addition to leading the MMS Foundation, he is in charge of setting up the surgical missions to treat women with obstetric fistula.
STÉPHANIE BRETON, STRATEGIC ADVISOR
Stéphanie holds an MBA from HEC Montreal and a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the Université de Montréal. Her participation in a medical mission in 2012 convinced her to intensify her involvement with the MMS Foundation, and she has been a key element since.
Andrea Juarez,
SECRETARY
Andrea began her teaching career at the elementary and secondary level. Currently, she is the director of a learning center where she has the opportunity to intervene with students presenting different profiles. Women’s and children’s issues are very dear to her, and she joined the Board in 2015.
RENÉE MAHFODA,
TREASURER
Renée holds a BA in Finance Economics from the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales. For 22 years she worked for the Jewish General Hospital and is now director of operations for the Children’s Foundation of Tower of Light (Migdal Ohr Canada). Being an excellent volunteer, she joined the Board as treasurer in 2015.
Julie Gagné, Development director
Julie holds a BA in business administration from HEC Montréal and a Master’s in health services administration from the University of Montreal. Until recently she worked as the development director at la Fondation pour la langue française. She has also worked at RDÉE Canada, la Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec, YMCA de Montréal, as well as in the health care sector, and was a board member for several organizations, including le Centre hospitalier Pierre-Janet. She joined MMS in September 2019.
Thomas Vignalou,
Communications Committee
Thomas holds an MBA from Kedge Business School and a Bachelor of Business Administration. He has worked in management and business development in the mass distribution sector, and is currently Director of Marketing and Business Development for a management and human resources consulting firm in Montreal. Thomas volunteers with several organizations, and is committed to promoting the MMS Foundation and its mission.
Simon Corcos, Board Member
A graduate of ÉTS (Montreal) in software engineering, Simon has been working in the field of health technologies since 2016. His roles as technical director at HOP Tech, software architecture consultant through Toptal and IT manager for the MMS Foundation have enabled him to develop an impressive portfolio of knowledge in software development, DevOps, artificial intelligence and leadership.
MARIA CHERBA,
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
Maria is a professor at the Department of Communication at the University of Ottawa. With other members of the communications committee, she takes care of the Foundation’s website, newsletter, social media, and well as media relations and the production of promotional material. She joined MMS in 2011 and has participated in three surgical missions in Burkina Faso and Rwanda.
Valérie Corcos, General Manager
Valérie has been member of the board of directors since 2016 and was appointed General Manager in 2020. She actively participates in all aspects of the organization. She holds a trilingual bachelor’s degree in business administration from H.E.C Montreal and a degree in finance from the University of San Andrés in Argentina. She has helped international clients manage their commodity and currency risk at financial institutions such as ScotiaMcleod before joining the treasury team at Bombardier Recreational Products.
ANNE MILAMEM,
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
A pharmacist by training, Anne is the founder of Styl’Afrique Coop, a cooperative of women from diverse cultural backgrounds, mainly from African countries. She also works with La Rue des Femmes, a community center that welcomes women in need. She joined the Foundation to share her experience in the humanitarian community and offer her expertise in fundraising.
Dr. Alfred Homsy,
Board Member
Dr. Homsy, Chief of Anesthesia at the Lasalle Hospital, has been involved in medical humanitarian aid since 2004 (in Haiti). He joined the MMS team in 2013 and has participated in almost all of the MMS surgical missions in Burkina Faso and in Rwanda. Dr. Homsy places much importance on conducting anesthesia in situations lacking proper resources and he aims to share his expertise with medical and nursing colleagues in his specific field. He also contributes to education and research by helping to recruit people who could potentially support the Foundation.
ERICA POMERANCE,
board MEMBER
Erica is a documentary filmmaker, researcher and translator. She has made several films in West Africa, including some that address maternal health. Dabla ! Excision (2003) and Caravan (2009) document the strong movement for the eradication of female genital mutilation ; Operation Survival (2010) reveals the efforts to treat women suffering from obstetric fistula in Mali. A founding member of the Montreal International Documentary Festival, she is also a board member of the Association of Filmmakers of Quebec and Montreal Arts Council.
AMBASSADORS CLUB
Sandra Sezirahiga,
Réseau des professionnels rwandais du Canada
Coming soon.
Alain Maurice Fikirini,
Mister Afrique Montréal 2018
Coming soon.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE – RWANDA
Achille Ubalijoro
Coming soon.
Perpétue Mukarugwiza
Coming soon.