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The Association québécoise du transport aérien (AQTA) announced that Suzanne M. Benoit has accepted the position of president and CEO, effective May 1.
In her new role, she will support the team in the deployment of AQTA’s strategic plan and the implementation of promising projects for the industry.
“Her exceptional leadership, remarkable ability to execute and vast knowledge of the sector will enable AQTA to continue to grow and play a crucial role in the development of air transport in Quebec, against a backdrop of accelerating global energy transition in our ecosystem,” said Nathalie Tousignant, chair of the AQTA board of directors.
“I am enthusiastic about supporting the team and all AQTA members and partners in strengthening the competitiveness of this industry, which is at the heart of Quebec’s regional economic development,” said Benoit.
Throughout her career, Benoît has held highly strategic positions in both the private sector and the municipal, provincial, and federal public service, demonstrating her commitment to innovation and operational excellence.
Prior to joining AQTA, she acted as a strategic consultant to top corporate executives, drawing on her extensive experience in governance, government relations and economic development, as well as her invaluable expertise and in-depth knowledge of the issues and challenges facing the aerospace and aviation sector.
From 2006 to 2023, she led Aéro Montréal as its founding president. Her contribution proved crucial to the evolution of the aerospace and aviation industry. Under her leadership, the industry cluster has propelled the growth of numerous companies through innovative initiatives and programs that have optimized competitiveness and enhanced the ecosystem’s outreach.
Prior to joining the organization, she was founding president and CEO of Développement économique Longueuil (DEL) and held senior positions at Investissement Québec and Hydro- Québec, as well as in the federal public service in Ottawa.
Benoit is also very active on several boards, lending her expertise to organizations such as the Centre d’excellence sur les drones d’Alma, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), the Coalition for the Greener Aircraft (SA2GE) and Investment Canada.
In recognition of her exceptional professional career, Benoit was appointed by the prime minister of Canada in 2015 as Canada’s representative on the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council, an honor underscoring her influence on the global economic scene.
She holds an MBA from the University of Ottawa and graduated as Corporate Director (ICD.D) from the Institute of Corporate Director and the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.
This press release was prepared and distributed by the Association québécoise du transport aérien.
