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Cindy Hamel’s career began far from the industrial world, in the emergency rooms and corridors of CHU de Québec, where she worked as a registered nurse, interim manager, and college instructor. Through these roles, she developed a strong understanding of people and of performing under pressure.

For the past seven years, she has served as Chief Executive Officer of Groupe Soudure inc., ensuring, alongside her business partner and spouse, the succession of the second-generation family business. She embodies a structured and deeply human leadership style, convinced that sustainable performance is built on collaboration, recognizing individual strengths, and people’s commitment. She strongly believes in genuine collaboration and solid business partnerships.

Active in her industry, she is involved with organizations such as the provincial ACQ, the American Welding Society, and initiatives that support the next generation of professionals. Socially engaged, she firmly believes in passing on values and giving back, both within her community and internationally.

Managing Director and Partner at Toiture Québec, Mélissa Martinova is a passionate advocate for diversity in the construction industry, a sector in which she has been active since 2014. Her background is one of her greatest strengths: she left the corporate world to join the ranks of entrepreneurs, supported by her discipline and an innovative strategic vision.

She leads numerous initiatives to encourage greater participation of women in the industry—an effort that was recognized at the provincial level by the ACQ with the Construire se conjugue au féminin Award in 2023.

A dedicated mother and businesswoman, she now leads and owns several companies in the construction and real estate sectors in partnership with her husband. Her involvement goes beyond management: she actively contributes to shaping the future of the industry by serving on the Board of Directors of the ACQ (Quebec City region) and on several committees. Whether acting as Chair of the ACQ Regional Issues Committee, as a member of the ACQ Young Leaders Committee, or within the professional development committees of the AMCQ (Association of Master Roofers), she works tirelessly to demystify the construction industry, attract the next generation of talent, and promote a healthy, inclusive, and innovative work environment.

Laurence St-Jean is an Architect and Director at ABCP architecture in Québec City. Her practice focuses primarily on the design of institutional and educational projects, where she is particularly interested in the quality of learning environments, sustainability, and the social impact of architecture.

A graduate of Université Laval with a double master’s degree in Architecture and Urban Design, she contributes to the development of major public projects that help shape living environments and communities.

A board member of the Ordre des architectes du Québec since 2021, she is actively involved in advancing the profession and addressing issues related to the next generation of architects. Her work has been recognized with several distinctions, including the Alpha Rho Chi Medal and the Emerging Professional Woman Award at the Gala Elles reconnaissent 2025.