SETSI - INTERVIEW WITH GUY CORMIER - PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF DESJARDINS

Guy Cormier is President and CEO of Desjardins Group, the largest cooperative financial group in Canada and fifth largest in the world, with assets of over $414 billion and 7.5 million members and customers.

With the cooperative for more than 30 years, Mr. Cormier held a number of positions within the caisse network before becoming General Manager in 2002. He was appointed Senior Vice-President, Caisse Network in 2012, and Senior Vice-President, Caisse Network and Retail Services the following year. Throughout his career, he has stimulated boldness and innovation to enhance the experience of members and customers.

Since his election as President in 2016, Guy Cormier has instilled in all Desjardins Group employees and Board members a corporate culture focused on the interests of members and customers. He creates the $250 million Greater Mouvement Fund, which enables Desjardins to support structuring initiatives in all regions of Québec and Ontario. Mr. Cormier also contributes to the growth and influence of Desjardins Group across the country by highlighting the organization's cooperative nature, community presence, financial strength and scope.

A staunch defender of the cooperative model, shared prosperity, youth and a greener, more inclusive economy in all regions, Guy Cormier place people at the heart of his decisions.

Committed to social issues such as sustainable development, responsible finance and the fight against climate change, Guy Cormier proposes to rethink the current economic model in order to develop a collaborative approach focused on long-term sustainability. He promotes the concept of shared prosperity and the circular economy, and is helping to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Keen to support young people and offer them a forum where they can take part in discussions on the major issues facing our society, Mr. Cormier is place up an advisory committee made up of young people aged 18 to 35. In 2020, he also became a sponsor and mentor for Academos, an organization that guides young people in their career choices.