Michelle Llambias Meunier takes the reins of Propulsion Québec, which represents the electric and intelligent transportation cluster in Quebec. The President and CEO-designate says she is ready to take on the many challenges related to the “noble mission” that falls to her organization.
“It motivates me to get up in the morning and tell myself that we are working to improve the quality of our environment while promoting economic development,” underlines the woman who has been vice-president of operations at Propulsion Québec since last February.
The latter will occupy the position of CEO from October 2, left vacant following the departure of Sarah Houde, announced at the end of May.
The path has been well paved by the one who has led the group since its beginnings in 2017, notes Michelle Llambias Meunier. “The original objective of our organization was to consolidate the sector. My predecessor ticked this box! Now, my role will be to work with the challenges that face us, and to ensure the good development of our businesses here. »
It motivates me to get up in the morning and tell myself that we are working to improve the quality of our environment while promoting economic development.
Several challenges
Among these challenges, Propulsion Québec wants to ensure that Quebec businesses have the right to their “share of the pie,” says M.me Llambias Meunier. “The idea is not that everything that is done here is sent abroad either. »
Investments like that in the General Motors plant in Bécancour – whose batteries will only be intended for the manufacturer’s vehicles – are “very good announcements” and make it possible to “consolidate” Quebec’s position in this sector, but we must not don’t forget local businesses, believes Mme Llambias Meunier.
Another challenge, she explains: “We also need to be attentive to our energy capacity in Quebec. We need to optimize our energy, to use it intelligently. We recommend the RTA approach, which is to reduce, transfer, improve. »
More precisely, it is the mobility approach which firstly aims to reduce motorized travel, then the transfer to more sustainable modes of transport and, finally, the improvement of the energy efficiency of vehicles, in particular thanks to electrification.
There is also the labor challenge, which is a major one and which Propulsion Québec is tackling. “The idea is not that companies cannibalize each other. We want to help them find competent people, in particular by supporting training, the transfer of skills, the attraction of talent,” says M.me Llambias Meunier.
The future CEO already has regional tours planned in the coming months, during which she will meet members of the organization throughout the province. In total, there are nearly 260.