The airline industry has long been dominated by male leadership and change has been slow to come. Canada's Transat is a rare exception as one of the few airlines in the world to headed by a woman, and one of only two aviation players to have an equal or greater representation of women on its Board of Directors.
At a virtual Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders held yesterday, shareholders elected a new Board of Directors. Annick Guérard, President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as Lucie Chabot, Valérie Chort, Daniel Desjardins, Susan Kudzman, Stéphane Lefebvre, Ian Rae and Julie Tremblay were re-elected. Kudzman was appointed Chair of the board, which also welcomed Geneviève Brouillette, Robert Coallier and Bruno Matheu as new members.
Transat co-founder Philippe Sureau is a member of the Canadian Travel Hall of Fame, administered by TravelPulse Canada. (Tourisme Montreal)
The meeting also featured other milestones, including the departure of Philippe Sureau, a founding member of Transat, and Raymond Bachand, outgoing Chairman of the Board.
"Today, per the age limit stipulated in our rules of governance, I am ending my term on the Board of Directors," said Bachand.
"For nine years I have had the privilege of assisting and participating in various ways in the governance of this company during very turbulent times. My colleague Philippe Sureau, one of Transat's great founders, is stepping down after reaching the 12-year term of service on the Board. A pioneer of travel in Quebec, Philippe Sureau was a visionary and innovative entrepreneur. I would personally like to thank him for his contribution," Bachand added.
Kudzman has been a member of Transat's Board of Directors since March 2014. She has served for several years on the Risk Management and Corporate Responsibility Committee, and chairs the Company's Human Resources and Compensation Committee.
"I would like to thank Raymond Bachand and Philippe Sureau for their leadership and dedication to Transat over the years," said Kudzman.
"They are pillars of this company, who have helped guide it through many key moments in its history. I would also like to welcome our new members, Geneviève Brouillette, Robert Coallier and Bruno Matheu," she added. "All three are extremely qualified. Their experience and skills will guide the organization as well as the executive and Transat teams to implement the strategic plan."
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