LEADERS OF TOMORROW. Thanks to this questionnaire, Les Affaires introduces you to the faces of the first cohort of Generation d’impact, a training program for intrapreneurs managed by the Young Chamber of Commerce of Montreal and Fondaction.

presentation

Surname: Azelie Pouliot

Age: 24 years

Function: Customer Success Director

Employer: retail space

Answer questions:

Les Affaires: Why did you accept the invitation?

Azelie Pouliot: I joined the Generation of Impact cohort to learn, share and collaborate with a community of young professionals who share the same beliefs and work towards a common goal – reforming the status quo to create a more just and sustainable world .

In the world of more traditional technology start-ups, it is particularly tedious to push social-ecological projects forward, as the financial viability of the company is always the top priority. However, I believe that organizations that integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) values ​​early in their lifecycle will have greater potential for impact and will set new standards.

I am very excited to strategize to become a persistent intrapreneur and drive meaningful change not only in my organization but also in other Montreal startups through my project.

LA: What challenge would you like to take on as part of Impact Generation?

PA: First, I want to create a best practice guide (“playbook”) specifically designed for startups to equip them for an agile, accessible and quantifiable socio-environmental transition that goes beyond carbon credits.

The guide draws inspiration from several startups around the world and includes:

• case studies
• A look back at successful and failed initiatives
• Reasonable Performance Indicators
• The impact of ESG measures (attracting and retaining talent, innovation, etc.)

This guide also aims to analyze local and federal policies that impact sustainable development and demonstrate the value that Quebec investors place on ESG programs.

Second, I want to conduct an audit of my organization and identify key areas for improvement. Using the guide as a starting point, I want to integrate ESG considerations into our decision-making processes and into each department’s annual goals.

LA: If you had a magic wand, what would the goal of the ideal impact business be?

PA: In order to slow down and mitigate the social and environmental impacts of climate change, I believe every company must become an impact business by creating societal change larger than itself. It must question its raison d’être, act transparently and push the limits of its show expansion.

Since our economic model discourages restraint, I believe we must construct economic reform that recognizes the incompatibility of infinite growth in a world of finite resources.