In the summer of 2022, Nadia Martel’s passion for conservation took an unexpected turn when she read an article about turtles in our newsletter (turtle-nesting-season) and while biking along the Tomifobia Nature Trail, she spotted a real turtle and felt inspired to reach out. Was this encounter a sign that our mission aligned with her desire to continue her involvement in conservation? It certainly seemed so. That moment led her to attend our annual general meeting, sparking that start of her involvement with the foundation.
Nadia is a lawyer with a deep commitment to both the environment and the community. Her career spans over 30 years, during which she has held senior leadership roles such as Vice-President, Corporate Affairs and General Counsel. She has worked with publicly traded and privately owned companies in the fields of information technology and manufacturing. Currently, Nadia is a partner and co-founder of i4 Capital Fund, a deep-tech seed fund investing in innovative startups. Her expertise encompasses, among others, legal and regulatory affairs, governance, risk management and strategic planning.
Nadia joined the board of directors of the Massawippi Foundation in 2023. She brings her extensive governance experience to the organization as well as her passion for environmental protection, having previously served on the board of directors of the Quebec Wildlife Foundation (2017-2022). She has strong ties to Bishop’s University, where she was a member of its Board of Governors for almost 10 years (2010-1019) and thereafter was part of the Bishop’s University Foundation Board (2019- 2023). She also sits on several corporate boards and is Chair of Evol, a non-profit that plays a leading role in impact entrepreneurship in Quebec.
In recognition of her professional achievements and leadership, Nadia was awarded the prestigious Lawyer Emeritus Distinction Award by the Barreau du Québec in 2022. This honor was a testament to her exceptional contributions to the legal community and her ongoing dedication to helping others.
We are grateful that Nadia chose to contribute her expertise to the Massawippi Foundation. Since joining our board, she has served on both the Education and Governance Committees, and is currently the Vice Chair of the board and the Chair of the Governance Committee. A strong board is essential for the long-term viability of our foundation, and Nadia’s contributions will help fulfill the vision of the founders who established the Massawippi Foundation in 2011.
Nadia is from the Eastern Townships and spent her childhood summers on the shores of Lake Massawippi. Committed to the region, she has decided to actively support the Massawippi Foundation and its important mission, to preserve the Massawippi valley’s unique ecosystem for future generations to come.
