Claude Gagnon

Claude Gagnon is President, Operations, BMO Financial Group, Quebec. He oversees the integration of the bank’s various partner companies in Quebec, maintaining the many internal and external business relationships and social and community engagements in Quebec.

Claude joined BMO in 1975. Over the course of his career he has held several strategic positions in the personal and private banking sectors, including sales teams, financial services, investment activities and business development, where he was responsible for the implementation of a large team of investment specialists and business development strategies within this vast distribution network.

He has also held leadership positions in human resources and training for Eastern Canada. Prior to his recent appointment as President, Operations, Claude was Managing Director, Operations and Head, Office of the Chairman of BMO Nesbitt Burns and President BMO Financial group, Quebec.

Claude is chairman of the board of the FCCQ and sits on the executive board of Finance Montréal. He is also on the board of directors of CIRANO, the Fondation du Dr. Julien, the Breast Cancer Quebec Foundation, Youth Fusion, Mobilys Foundation, Robotique FIRST Quebec, and Montreal International. He serves on the management committee of both the Research Chair in Cultural and Religious Diversity Management and the BMO Chair of Diversity and Governance at the Université de Montréal. Claude is on the board of governors of Montreal's 375th anniversary. In addition, he supports Montreal’s next generation of business people as a sponsor of the Jeune Chambre de Commerce de Montréal (JCCM).

Over the years, Claude has worked with several community organizations. He was chair of the major Stop/MS campaign of the Quebec Division of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, a member of the Task Force on Financial Literacy, the patron of honour of the Fondation Ressources-Jeunesse and a member of Sports Québec’s Vision 2020 advisory committee. He has also been involved with EPOC Montreal and was vice-chair of the board of the BMO Employee Charitable Foundation.

Claude is the recipient of the 2004 MS Leadership Award of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and the JCCM’s 2012 John Molson Award, in recognition of his community involvement.

Claude is an MBA graduate of UQAM, holds a certificate from the Institute of Canadian Bankers and is a member of the CVMQ and IQPF. He is also a member of the Association des MBA du Québec.