Marie-Josée Lacroix appointed to FIFA Board of Directors

The International Festival of Films on Art is pleased to announce the appointment of Marie-Josée Lacroix as Special Advisor to its Board of Directors. This appointment is part of FIFA’s drive to strengthen its commitment and develop its alliances internationally.

A pioneer of urban and cultural design

The City of Montreal’s first Design Commissioner, Marie-Josée Lacroix headed the Bureau du design from 1991 to 2021. She was the driving force behind a number of major initiatives, including the Prix Commerce Design Montréal, the Portes Ouvertes Design Montréal days and the introduction of design and architecture competitions within the City of Montreal. His work was instrumental in Montréal’s designation as a UNESCO City of Design in 2006, an accolade renewed in 2016.

Among her most recent legacies, Marie-Josée Lacroix is also credited with the adoption, in 2019, of the Montréal 2030 Agenda for Quality and Exemplarity in Design and Architecture, a first policy aimed at integrating quality design processes into all municipal practices.

International recognition

Her commitment has been recognized by a number of awards, including the Tribute Award at the 2017 Grands Prix du design and the title of Ambassadrice de la qualité en architecture awarded by the Ordre des architectes du Québec in 2023. Last March, UQAM awarded her an honorary doctorate for her visionary leadership and pioneering role in promoting design.

In her own words: ​“As the instigator of Montreal’s designation in 2006 as a UNESCO Creative City in the field of design, I have had the privilege of representing Montreal for 15 years within this global network of cities that have in common a deliberate focus on culture and creativity as a lever for sustainable urban development. I’ve met some fabulous people. Today, I hope that these precious friendships, developed in the four corners of the globe, will enrich the international scope of FIFA, an inspiring, inclusive and multidisciplinary festival that I will be immensely proud to represent as Ambassador — International Development.” — Marie-Josée Lacroix

Expertise in cultural outreach

Marie-Josée Lacroix has already contributed to the history of FIFA, notably as a member of the Inspiring Women committee at the last edition of the festival last March. Today, thanks to her recognized expertise and extensive international network, Ms. Lacroix will play a strategic role in developing innovative projects and supporting FIFA’s major orientations. Her contribution will help strengthen FIFA’s impact in different territories and promote greater representativeness within the governing bodies.

” We are delighted to welcome Marie-Josée Lacroix as Special Advisor. Her vast expertise will be an invaluable asset in supporting FIFA as it strengthens and expands its international reach.” — Dr. Nicolas Chevrier, President of the FIFA Board of Directors

Marie-Josée Lacroix joins current members:
Dr. Nicolas Chevrier, President, Psychologist and President, Sequoia Psychological Services
Élodie Marteau, Vice-President, Director of Annual Campaigns, Université de Montréal
Nadia Khalil Luong, CPA, Treasurer, Director of Finance, Society for Arts and Technology [SAT] and Mutek
Me Claude Brunet, Deputy Secretary, Lawyer
Patrick J. Clune, Administrator, President, Digital Cut Post-Production
Louis Dussault, Administrator, Associate Professor, Université du Québec à Montréal
Julien Silvestre, Administrator, General Manager, Maison de la chanson et de la musique du Québec (MCMQ)
Sophie De Champlain, Secretary, Legal Counsel, Technicolor
Dr. Sophia Koukoui, Administrator, Professor of Psychology, Université de Montréal and Clinical Psychologist