As Head of Quebec Economic Development, Élise Proulx leads Ivanhoé Cambridge’s business development and investment strategy, with a view to securing the organization’s legacy within the province and executing on its dual mission of creating value for its depositors and communities. A seasoned manager with over 20 years of experience, Ms. Proulx joined Ivanhoé Cambridge in March 2020 as Executive Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications and Chief of Staff. In these roles, she led all communications efforts for Ivanhoé Cambridge, including reputation management, public affairs, government relations, and the involvement of the company, as well as its employees, within their communities.

Previously, Ms. Proulx served as Vice President, Communications, Government Affairs and Indigenous Relations at Hydro-Québec. Prior to this role, she had founded and managed her own public relations firm, where she quickly acquired an enviable reputation for leadership, teamwork and intellectual rigour. She counseled numerous decision-makers in multiple public and private sectors organizations, including culture, luxury goods and customer service, as well as several Quebec municipalities and a regional county municipality. Before starting her own business, she managed communications at Hydro Ottawa and acted as a strategic advisor and corporate spokesperson at Hydro‑Québec.

In the 2018 edition of the prestigious Mercuriades competition held by the Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Ms. Proulx was honoured as an Exceptional Young Businesswoman in the Large Companies category, in recognition of her leadership. She sits on several Boards, including that of Montréal International, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Espace CDPQ and the Urban development institute of Quebec (UDI).

Ms. Proulx holds a Bachelor’s in Communications (major in Public Relations) from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and an Executive MBA from UQAM’s School of Management (ESG). She also holds an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, and became an accredited sommelier for her own enjoyment.