Exclusive interview with the President

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Sandy Poiré, CFA®, is a problem-solver and a consensus-builder, and genuine through and through. She has brought a fresh, vibrant energy to the leadership of CFA Montréal during her tenure and made a lasting impact on the team. During our 75^th anniversary celebrations, she has championed an inclusive vision that has resonated with our membership, with an ongoing focus on responsiveness, innovation and integrity. A former elite athlete, an accomplished executive and a devoted mother, Sandy is a people-first leader who believes in the power of hard work underpinned by strong core values. As she prepares to pass the torch to her successor, we sat down with her to look back at some of the highlights of her time as president, the lessons she has learned and the messages she wants to share with the next generation of CFA charterholders.

Sandy, your involvement with CFA Montréal goes all the way back to 2017. What is it that first got you interested in rolling up your sleeves?

Getting my CFA designation wasn’t exactly easy. There were several roadblocks along the way. I didn’t pass my exams on the first go. I think it’s important to say so. It’s an experience a lot of people go through. Before I got into finance, I spent 16 years in figure skating. That helped shape the person I became, both on and off the ice. I left home when I was 10 to go train, first in Trois-Rivières, then in Montreal. Through the world of skating, I learned about life: it taught me self-discipline, time management and the art of prioritizing what’s really important.

I’m naturally very competitive, determined and resilient. The path I’ve chosen for myself has been full of challenges in many regards, but it has given me the opportunity to grow personally and professionally. I was extremely proud to become a CFA charterholder, especially because I earned my designation in a language that I didn’t speak until I was about 17 or 18. That was an extra challenge for me, but it made the entire experience even more rewarding in the end.

When I became a member of CFA Montréal in 2017, it was mostly because I wanted to get actively involved in the financial community in Montreal. The Society’s mission of raising the bar for the industry and fostering lifelong learning appealed to me. Back then, I was also looking to expand beyond the very technical nature of my job and meet other people with the same kind of energy and passion — people I could learn, connect and grow with.

What will you take away from this experience?

It has been an excellent place to hone my leadership skills outside of my job. And it’s definitely helped me become a better manager.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by just how meaningful all my interactions have been. I say it all the time, but the Montreal financial community is incredibly close-knit, which makes a role like this an unbeatable opportunity for meeting passionate, engaged professionals from all sorts of backgrounds.

What kind of advice do you have for young women who are considering a career in investment? And for up-and-coming professionals in general?

My recommendation to young women is simple: don’t wait for all the answers before you move forward. Take a risk. Put yourself out there. Say what you think, even if your ideas are outside the box or shake things up a bit. That’s often where you can make a real difference. Surround yourself with people who inspire you — mentors, of course, but also allies who challenge you in a positive way. Most important of all: follow your inner compass. It will keep you on track through moments of doubt and uncertainty.

As for my message to the next generation, it’s this: being technically proficient isn’t enough even more. Being empathetic and attentive to others, being able to think on your feet and remaining humble enough to question your assumptions are essential in a world where the only constant is change.

I’ve been able to apply these principles in my own career. I was the first one in my organization to make a lateral move. I put together a presentation to sell my superiors on the idea, and it paid off. Today, I’m in charge of the asset class I shifted to, with a whole team reporting to me. One of the biggest takeaways from this experience is how important it is to be bold, to step out of your comfort zone, to try something new and to create your own opportunities. Success doesn’t just fall into your lap — you have to build it, brick by brick, sometimes from the ground up.

What do you hope the future holds for the members of CFA Montréal?

I hope we all keep learning, sharing and innovating, and doing it together. I hope each one of us finds a space in this community to grow, flourish and continue making a real difference. Most of all, I hope we remain true to the principles of ethics and integrity that are at the heart of our profession and that define who we are.

Collectively, I hope we keep working together to take our industry to new heights and ensure it reflects the values of the world we are aiming to build: a world that is fairer, more sustainable and more inclusive.

What excites you about the work you do, beyond the financial performance aspect?

I work for a corporate pension fund, so knowing that every decision we make will have a direct impact on retirees is a profound source of motivation. Behind every number and every investment strategy are people who have worked their whole life to be where they are now and who are counting on this income to live with dignity. It isn’t a matter of performance for performance’s sake: it’s about responsible stewardship. This makes the work I do very meaningful. We invest to generate lasting value, but we are also committed to providing stability and peace of mind to a group of people who have helped build our economy. It’s this very human dimension of my job that speaks to me the most: knowing that our efforts will help safeguard the future of thousands of people.

Has there been a specific moment or an encounter during your tenure that has been particularly memorable for you?

Another memorable moment happened right after I joined CFA Montréal. It was when Carla Harris delivered her “Pearls of Wisdom”talk. Her insights into leadership resonated profoundly with me. They have been a source of motivation and inspiration ever since, and they have influenced how I approach my duties and the way I interact with others.

How have you grown as a person during your time at CFA Montréal?

How do you strike a balance between your professional responsibilities and your home life?

My husband also works in finance and is a CFA charterholder like me. Communication and mutual support are vital in being able to keep up with our respective responsibilities. And we take the time to talk about our goals and our challenges over the short, medium and longer term, so we can stay in sync.

I have young children, and my family is top of my list of priorities. Being there for their school and daycare activities is a must for me. I’ve learned how to say no when I have to, to make sure I can be there when it counts. I delegate everything I can — cooking, cleaning and household chores — so I can devote as much time as possible to them. Eating together, spending time as a family at the end of the day: simple things like these mean the world.