Lucie Opatrny

As President and Executive Director of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Lucie Opatrny leads one of the largest academic health centres in Canada, bringing together six hospitals, a $1.9 billion budget and a research institute of international standing. A physician and Associate Professor at McGill University, she has also held key leadership roles at Quebec’s Ministry of Health and Social Services as Assistant Deputy Minister. Holding a Master’s degree in Health Care Management from Harvard University, she is distinguished by her ability to combine clinical excellence, innovation and sound governance. Through her visionary leadership, she is helping transform the healthcare system by placing quality of care, performance and innovation at the heart of its mission.

Jennifer Welsh

Jennifer M. Welsh holds the Canada 150 Research Chair in Global Governance and Security at McGill University and serves as Director of the Max Bell School of Public Policy. An internationally recognized specialist in international relations, she has taught at the University of Oxford and at the European University Institute. From 2013 to 2016, she served as Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Special Advisor to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the Responsibility to Protect. Her work focuses on armed conflict, the protection of civilians and international responses to humanitarian crises. A world-acclaimed scholar and public intellectual, she continues to make an important contribution to public debate and international policymaking. Jennifer embodies the role of Quebec and Canada in addressing the major issues facing the world today.

Simeon Pompey

A decade-long champion of NDG, Simeon Pompey is a man of many hats. While spending his weekdays as a superstar teacher at Dawson College, Simeon is best known in our community as the Director of Comité Jeunesse NDG. His work focuses on uplifting youth and helping them play a more active role in their communities, a mantra Simeon not only teaches but embodies. He is also a leader of the Caribbean Coalition Network of Montreal and a strong advocate for Black communities. During Black History Month, he can often be found leading workshops and activities across NDG and beyond. Through his leadership, dedication and ability to inspire the next generation, Simeon leaves a lasting mark on our community.

Russell Copeman

Russell Copeman is a dedicated public servant, educator and community leader who has devoted decades to strengthening institutions and serving Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. He represented NDG as Member of the National Assembly from 1994 to 2008, earning the trust of constituents through four consecutive elections. His public service continued in 2013 when he was elected Mayor of Borough Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and appointed to Montreal’s Executive Committee, where he oversaw key files including housing and urban planning. In recent years, Russell has turned his focus to education. As Executive Director of the Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) and Director General of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, he supported students, families and educators, guiding institutions through change with steady, purposeful leadership.

Patrice Roy

A seasoned journalist and a leading figure in the Quebec news, Patrice Roy has worked with Radio-Canada since 1989. He began his career on the program Enjeux, where his work was quickly recognized with a Gemini Award. Over the years, he has held several key roles, including parliamentary correspondent in Quebec City and later in Ottawa, where his reporting on the Gomery Commission became a defining part of Canadian political news. Since 2008, he has served as anchor of the Téléjournal 18h. In 2015, he was also entrusted with hosting a new current affairs program on RDI, En direct avec Patrice Roy. Through major moments in democratic life — leaders’ debates, election campaigns, and election night coverage — he has helped inform the public with rigour, clarity and professionalism.

Natalie Choquette

A renowned soprano, actress, speaker and author, Natalie Choquette is a multilingual artist with a truly distinctive career. For more than thirty years, she has captivated audiences with her exceptional voice, her humour and her remarkable ability to blend opera, song and theatre with boundless creativity. Trained in both Montreal and Moscow, she has built an international career marked by countless concerts, performances and tours. Her discography includes some twenty albums. She has also distinguished herself as a children’s author, creating worlds for young readers where music, imagination and the joy of learning come together. She unquestionably brings recognition to NDG and Quebec far beyond our borders.

Tasha Lackman

Formerly Vice-President of the Foundation of Greater Montreal, Tasha Lackman is widely known in NDG for her leadership of The Depot Community Food Centre, guiding the organization through a period of significant growth and impact across the Greater Montreal community. A lawyer by training with more than twenty years of experience across the philanthropic, community, business and academic sectors, Tasha has worked to mobilize the resources and partnerships needed to fight poverty and social exclusion. In February 2026, she was named President and CEO of Centraide of Greater Montreal.

Miranda Potts

Miranda Potts is a committed leader and a longstanding advocate for social justice and the well-being of seniors in NDG. As Director of Outreach and Education at the Eva Marsden Centre for Social Justice and Aging, she has spent decades supporting seniors, immigrant families and vulnerable communities. Known for her compassionate and inclusive approach, Miranda also co-founded the Westend Intergenerational Network (WIN) and Gay & Grey, one of Montreal’s first organizations supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ adults aged 55 and over.

Margaret Lambton

For more than 45 years, Margaret Lambton has been a cornerstone of community sport in NDG. A tireless volunteer, she has supported generations of young people through hockey and baseball, often walking from one rink to another with her children and all their gear in tow. After a pause marked by personal hardship, she returned with even greater dedication, particularly to NDG Minor Hockey, where she has held several key roles, including Treasurer and coordinator of the Learn to Skate program, which she has led with passion for more than 30 years. For hundreds of young people, she is more than Margaret or “Mrs. L” — she is known, quite simply, as “Mom.”

Sharon Sweeney

Sharon Sweeney is one of NDG’s foremost unsung heroes, someone who goes above and beyond to serve her neighbours in need. Sharon works as an organizer at the NDG Community Council where she leads the Collective Impact Project, an initiative seeking to create the conditions for a truly inclusive community. She’s also active in housing advocacy, serving as the president of “Habitations Communautaire NDG” from 2017 to 2024 where she helped strengthen stable and accessible living environments. She is also behind Notre Prom de Grâce, a unifying eco-friendly initiative, and has played a key role in community projects in Fielding Walkley and Benny Farm. Now a member of the board of directors of Avenues Montréal, she supports young people in their development and independence.