MUHC Foundation President and CEO Julie Quenneville taking on new challenges

Montreal, March 14, 2023—After 7 years as President and CEO of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation, Julie Quenneville is taking on new challenges. She has accepted the role of President and CEO of the University Health Network (UHN) Foundation in Toronto, raising funds to support its mission. Her departure comes as the MUHC Foundation approaches the end of its ambitious $200M Dream Big Campaign to change the course of lives and medicine.

Ms. Quenneville leaves behind an exceptional team at the MUHC Foundation, who will continue the legacy of funding critical research that will lead to lifesaving care. She will remain in her position until June 30 to complete the $200M Dream Big Campaign. The MUHC Foundation Board of Directors will conduct a national search to find her replacement. COO Harris Poulis will take on the interim President and CEO position upon Quenneville’s departure until a successor is appointed.

“I wish Julie all the best in her next adventure. She has guided the Foundation to raise in excess of $28 million this year, its highest fundraising total ever. Great leaders surround themselves with great people, and I am confident that the MUHC Foundation’s exceptional team will continue to have a vast and far-reaching impact on health care.”

—Marc P. Tellier, Chair, MUHC Foundation Board of Directors

“The MUHC is the number one research hospital in Quebec, and I am so proud to have worked alongside Julie to further elevate the hospital’s status and enable ground-breaking research that will change the course of lives and medicine. I wish her all the best in her future endeavours.”

—Jean Charest, Dream Big Campaign Co-chair

Ms. Quenneville’s profound impact on the MUHC Foundation comes from years of dedicated service in both philanthropy and health care. She served in senior management positions at the MUHC from 2005 to 2015. Her support was integral to the Best Care for Life Campaign, which under the leadership of Campaign Chair John Rae helped raise $340M for the construction of the new hospital at the Glen site.

In 2015, Ms. Quenneville stepped in as President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation with the mandate to integrate with the Royal Victoria Hospital Foundation. The two foundations merged in 2018 and then with the Montreal Chest Institute Foundation in 2021. Later that same year, the Foundation integrated with the Lachine Hospital Foundation.

“The MUHC Foundation team can be incredibly proud of its accomplishments under Julie’s leadership. It has been a privilege working alongside foundation staff to support lifesaving research and care, and I look forward to continuing to dream big for the future of health care.”

—Suzanne Legge Orr, Dream Big Campaign Co-chair

The MUHC Foundation has become one of the top hospital foundations in the country. In 2022, the MUHC Foundation became only the second health care foundation in Quebec to receive Imagine Canada accreditation, recognizing excellence in non-profit accountability, transparency and governance. It was also recognized by Waterstone in 2022 as one of the top corporate cultures in the country.

“Dream Big Campaign isn’t just about fundraising; it’s about providing the MUHC’s physician-scientists the means to realize their big dreams. The generosity of our donors is enabling personalized care, cutting-edge research, and helped us through the worst pandemic in a century.”

—Marc Parent, Dream Big Campaign Co-chair