Our team: Collaboration, rigour and mutual support
Normand Lebeau
President & Chief Guardian of the Mandrake Experience
514.878.4224, ext.234
At only age 22, Normand Lebeau already had high aspirations, starting a display manufacturing business with offices eventually in Montreal and Toronto. Eleven years later, he landed a position at Mandrake Toronto, Canada’s first executive search firm. After years of experience at this firm, who had already built a solid reputation, he decided to launch a Montreal branch of Mandrake Group, with the aim of conquering a new region. In January 1998, at the height of the ice storm, Normand established Mandrake Group’s Montreal offices. During one of the biggest storms in Quebec history, he signed his first contract with Procter & Gamble Canada.
Normand is a leader who brings people together and thrives in team environments. A determined businessman since the start of his career, he works hard to connect the right candidates with the right companies. Normand has developed leading-edge expertise in headhunting. He has transferred his knowledge to his team and instilled his values in his peers over many years to help elevate the businesses he works with.
Throughout his career, Mr. Lebeau has served as Executive Vice President of the Montreal Young Chamber of Commerce in 1991, as well as Chairman of the Chamber’s 1989 and 1990 fundraising campaigns. In March of 2000, the Quebec division of the SCSP gave him their Leadership Award for his enthusiasm and contribution as a member of the Quebec business community. Since 2008, Mr. Lebeau has been a mentor in the Montreal Young Chamber of commerce program. Currently, Mr. Lebeau is the Chairman of the Board of the Montreal Board of Trade’s Foundation as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the Montreal Economic Institute also serving as the Chairman of the Admission’s and Human Resources Committees.
As well as having published several articles as part of his role, Mr. Lebeau is often quoted in professional journals, business newspapers and electronic media in Quebec.
Mr. Lebeau is also a passionate athlete. He was ranked one of the top 25 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) singles tennis players while he was in university in the US and one of the top 10 junior singles players in Canada. During that time, he also earned the title of NAIA Men’s Academic All-America Tennis Team. He was inducted into the University of West Florida Hall of Fame in 2004.
Danny Savard, Ing.
Vice President, Corporate Development
514.878.4224, ext.231
After graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering degree, Mr. Savard held a variety of positions, primarily in the areas of strategic sales organization and management, business turnaround, and the organization and management of operations management. He has worked for several leading organizations such as Hewitt Equipment, Mecfor, Cegertec WorleyParsons, Wajax Equipment, Goodfellow and Symbiose & Strategies. He has held positions in sales management, general management, sales/marketing vice presidency, executive presidency and presidency.
Throughout his career, Mr. Savard has been exposed in the front line to the real and practical challenges of a business manager focused on concrete results: strategic development of organizations, implementation of operational processes and performance indicators, and selection/development of employees.
With the combination of all his past experiences, he is able to fully understand the operational requirements of his clients. His practical expertise allows him to advise and support his clients in the definition and realization of their executive search mandates. In addition, his extensive network of contacts in the fields of engineering, equipment, industrial production, logistics, mining & metals and information technology allows him to constantly keep abreast of technological developments and market trends.
Mr. Savard has developed a strong passion for interpersonal relationships and talent management. In addition to intimately understanding the needs of his clients, he is able to draw an accurate portrait of the profiles sought and recommend the appropriate candidates who will integrate perfectly in the organization.
Isabelle Girard
Vice President & Practice Leader
514.878.4224, ext.237
Isabelle Girard has provided executive search services to companies in all sectors of the economy. She has also collaborated with many Canadians and International companies in identifying top talent that has brought significant value to the organizations. Isabelle Girard worked for two of the major international executive search firms, Korn/Ferry International and Russell Reynolds Associates where she was responsible for recruiting senior executives. She also worked for local search firms. Mrs Girard began her career with an international conference planning firm. She carried out research and consultations with leaders in all areas of the economy for the purpose of producing conferences tailored to selected audiences. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations from the Université de Montréal, a certificate in occupational health and safety and a certificate in marketing, both from the Université du Québec à Montréal.
Isabelle Girard has hands-on experience in executive recruitment. With her training in Industrial Relations, she has acquired a very good understanding of companies’ organisational structures and of the relationship between key roles and executives. Her broad skills, knowledge and experience in all facets of strategic research and recruitment of executives make her a versatile, adaptable and efficient consultant much appreciated by her clientele. She is recognized for her relational skills and her capacity to establish business connections based on trust and honesty.
Isabelle Girard has successfully recruited executives for Canadian and international clients in the private (for which some are quoted on Stock Exchanges), public and para governmental sectors. She has developed customized search strategies based on the needs of local and international clienteles and recommended top talent with impressive records of achievement. She also recruited several candidates outside big city centers.
Maxime Lebeau
Vice President & Practice Leader
514.878.4224, ext.239
As proud successor to the firm, he has big ambitions for the future of the company. Having led a number of initiatives such as the database of Quebecers abroad, he takes pride in finding innovative ways to push conventional boundaries.
Fascinated by Executive Recruitment and Interpersonal Relations, Maxime has supported or led more than 100 assignments since his beginning in 2015.
Before joining the team, Maxime completed a bachelor’s degree in Demography at the Université de Montréal, a university recognized for having laid down the first demography department in North America. As part of the completion of his baccalaureate, Maxime had the chance to spend two years abroad: at first in Nice, France, at the University Sophie Antipolis in economics, and second, in Minneapolis at the University of Minnesota in urban geography.
Since 2017, Maxime has been involved in various organizations and groups of a political nature and economic development such as the “Groupe la Relève en famille, en affaires! “.
Since 2015, Maxime has been an active member of the “Jeune Chambre de Commerce de Montréal” (JCCM). In addition to serving on the JCCM’s Executive Committee in 2016, Maxime will hold several management positions within the JCCM. Since 2019, Maxime has been involved in his community by sitting on the board of directors of a NPO in the Villeray-Parc-Extension neighbourhood, which helps disadvantaged youth to give them the tools and resources to reach university. Maxime wants to actively participate in the international reputation of local businesses by matching the needs of these companies with the profile of the ideal candidate.
Maxime has been an ambassador of Mandrake’s values from his very beginning with the organization.
Linda Arsenault
Executive Onboarding Coach
514.942.2152
Linda is our Executive Onboarding Coach. She has been partnering with us for the past 10 years, working closely with our Executives during the integration period.
She is a certified MCC coach with more than 4000 hours of practice.
With Linda, we have developed an onboarding program that is recognized and appreciated by our clients in the preparation of the first 100-day action plan. This process gives the Executives time to step back, discuss, and maximize the benefits of the onboarding period along with being aware of the risks.
Denise Brisebois
Vice President & Practice Leader
514 234-9986
Ms. Brisebois has a very accomplished track record. She rose through the ranks in human resources primarily in the financial sector, notably at Desjardins Group, Laurentian Bank and BNP Paribas, in addition to spending ten years at accounting firm Deloitte & Touche. As Senior Vice-President and Executive Vice‑President – Human Resources, she successfully implemented and completed a number of strategic projects, headed large teams and sat on various committees within these firms, such as the Executive, Management and Efficiency Committee, and on the HR committees of boards of directors.
In 2011, Ms. Brisebois joined the Desjardins Group and became Senior Vice‑President – Human Resources, Consulting. In that capacity, she is responsible for a team of approximately 150 people whose mission is to support the HR function for all Desjardins Group corporate sectors and entities, whose mission is to support the HR function for all Desjardins Group corporate sectors and entities, representing more than 25,000 employees. These entities comprise two insurance companies and one securities firm, including the retail and capital markets sector, the investment portfolio and investment funds sectors, and a number of other banking and insurance sectors. Her team also supports corporate sectors such as finance, IT, communications and marketing. More specifically, her role is to take part in the strategies of various management tables, present files to various boards of directors, coach her team and managers at the Executive VP and VP level, and ensure people development. These many accomplishments include a number of organizational transformations within the personal insurance firm and the wealth management sector. She is also an active agent for culture change in order to break down silos and create cross-functional bodies. She has spent her career very actively recruiting senior executives.
Ms. Brisebois holds a bachelor’s degree in administration as well as an MBA in financial services from Université du Québec à Montréal. She has also taken part in many discussion groups within the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés du Québec and is a member of the Association des femmes en finance du Québec.
Marie-Christine Carrière
Executive Assistant & Office Manager
514 878-4224 x233
Marie-Christine mainly worked in the entertainment industry before joining the team at Mandrake Montreal. During these past years, she has developed her adaptability and her creativity at work to always ensure profitability, both for time and resources.
Through her various work experiences, her interest in acquiring talent has carved out an increasingly important place. She fundamentally believes in the potential of each member of a team and the importance of putting the right people in the right places to create an enviable synergy within organizations; values that she is proud to share with Mandrake Montreal.
Her extensive practical experience in coordinating projects of all kinds allows her to effectively support her team in achieving its objectives with rigor and versatility.
Her appreciation for collaboration and her interpersonal skills makes her a key person to occupy the positions of executive assistant and office manager.
Marie-Christine holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the Université du Québec à Montréal, a master’s degree in Business Administration in Global Business from Université Laval and a certificate in Business and Management of Entertainment from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Normand Lebeau
President & Chief Guardian of the Mandrake Experience
Danny Savard, Ing.
Vice President, Corporate Development
Isabelle Girard
Vice President & Practice Leader
Denise Brisebois
Vice President & Practice Leader
Maxime Lebeau
Vice President & Practice Leader
Linda Arsenault
Executive Onboarding Coach
Marie-Christine Carrière
Executive Assistant & Office Manager
Normand Lebeau
President & Chief Guardian of the Mandrake Experience
Read the biography
At only 22, Normand Lebeau already had high aspirations, going into the display business in Toronto. Eleven years later, he landed a position at Mandrake Toronto, Canada’s first executive search firm. After years of experience at this firm, who had already built a solid reputation, he decided to launch a Montreal branch of Mandrake Group, with the aim of conquering a new region. In January 1998, at the height of the ice storm, Normand established Mandrake Group’s Montreal offices. During one of the biggest storms in Quebec history, he signed his first contract with Procter & Gamble Canada.
Normand is a leader who brings people together and thrives in team environments. A determined businessman since the start of his career, he works hard to connect the right candidates with the right companies. Normand has developed leading-edge expertise in headhunting. He has transferred his knowledge to his team and instilled his values in his peers over many years to help elevate the businesses he works with.
Throughout his career, Mr. Lebeau has served as Executive Vice President of the Montreal Young Chamber of Commerce in 1991, as well as Chairman of the Chamber’s 1989 and 1990 fundraising campaigns. In March of 2000, the Quebec division of the SCSP gave him their Leadership Award for his enthusiasm and contribution as a member of the Quebec business community. Since 2008, Mr. Lebeau has been a mentor in the Montreal Young Chamber of commerce program. Currently, Mr. Lebeau is the Chairman of the Board of the Montreal Board of Trade’s Foundation as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the Montreal Economic Institute also serving as the Chairman of the Admission’s and Human Resources Committees.
As well as having published several articles as part of his role, Mr. Lebeau is often quoted in professional journals, business newspapers and electronic media in Quebec.
Mr. Lebeau is also a passionate athlete. He was ranked one of the top 25 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) singles tennis players while he was in university in the US and one of the top 10 junior singles players in Canada. During that time, he also earned the title of NAIA Men’s Academic All-America Tennis Team. He was inducted into the University of West Florida Hall of Fame in 2004.
Danny Savard
Vice President, Corporate Development
Read the biography
After graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering degree, Mr. Savard held a variety of positions, primarily in the areas of strategic sales organization and management, business turnaround, and the organization and management of operations management. He has worked for several leading organizations such as Hewitt Equipment, Mecfor, Cegertec WorleyParsons, Wajax Equipment, Goodfellow and Symbiose & Strategies. He has held positions in sales management, general management, sales/marketing vice presidency, executive presidency and presidency.
Throughout his career, Mr. Savard has been exposed in the front line to the real and practical challenges of a business manager focused on concrete results: strategic development of organizations, implementation of operational processes and performance indicators, and selection/development of employees.
With the combination of all his past experiences, he is able to fully understand the operational requirements of his clients. His practical expertise allows him to advise and support his clients in the definition and realization of their executive search mandates. In addition, his extensive network of contacts in the fields of engineering, equipment, industrial production, logistics, mining & metals and information technology allows him to constantly keep abreast of technological developments and market trends.
Mr. Savard has developed a strong passion for interpersonal relationships and talent management. In addition to intimately understanding the needs of his clients, he is able to draw an accurate portrait of the profiles sought and recommend the appropriate candidates who will integrate perfectly in the organization.
Isabelle Girard
Vice President & Practice Leader
Read the biography
Isabelle Girard has provided executive search services to companies in all sectors of the economy. She has also collaborated with many Canadians and International companies in identifying top talent that has brought significant value to the organizations. Isabelle Girard worked for two of the major international executive search firms, Korn/Ferry International and Russell Reynolds Associates where she was responsible for recruiting senior executives. She also worked for local search firms. Mrs Girard began her career with an international conference planning firm. She carried out research and consultations with leaders in all areas of the economy for the purpose of producing conferences tailored to selected audiences. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations from the Université de Montréal, a certificate in occupational health and safety and a certificate in marketing, both from the Université du Québec à Montréal.
Isabelle Girard has hands-on experience in executive recruitment. With her training in Industrial Relations, she has acquired a very good understanding of companies’ organisational structures and of the relationship between key roles and executives. Her broad skills, knowledge and experience in all facets of strategic research and recruitment of executives make her a versatile, adaptable and efficient consultant much appreciated by her clientele. She is recognized for her relational skills and her capacity to establish business connections based on trust and honesty.
Isabelle Girard has successfully recruited executives for Canadian and international clients in the private (for which some are quoted on Stock Exchanges), public and para governmental sectors. She has developed customized search strategies based on the needs of local and international clienteles and recommended top talent with impressive records of achievement. She also recruited several candidates outside big city centers.
Denise Brisebois
Vice President & Practice Leader
Read the biography
Ms. Brisebois has a very accomplished track record. She rose through the ranks in human resources primarily in the financial sector, notably at Desjardins Group, Laurentian Bank and BNP Paribas, in addition to spending ten years at accounting firm Deloitte & Touche. As Senior Vice-President and Executive Vice‑President – Human Resources, she successfully implemented and completed a number of strategic projects, headed large teams and sat on various committees within these firms, such as the Executive, Management and Efficiency Committee, and on the HR committees of boards of directors.
In 2011, Ms. Brisebois joined the Desjardins Group and became Senior Vice‑President – Human Resources, Consulting. In that capacity, she is responsible for a team of approximately 150 people whose mission is to support the HR function for all Desjardins Group corporate sectors and entities, whose mission is to support the HR function for all Desjardins Group corporate sectors and entities, representing more than 25,000 employees. These entities comprise two insurance companies and one securities firm, including the retail and capital markets sector, the investment portfolio and investment funds sectors, and a number of other banking and insurance sectors. Her team also supports corporate sectors such as finance, IT, communications and marketing. More specifically, her role is to take part in the strategies of various management tables, present files to various boards of directors, coach her team and managers at the Executive VP and VP level, and ensure people development. These many accomplishments include a number of organizational transformations within the personal insurance firm and the wealth management sector. She is also an active agent for culture change in order to break down silos and create cross-functional bodies. She has spent her career very actively recruiting senior executives.
Ms. Brisebois holds a bachelor’s degree in administration as well as an MBA in financial services from Université du Québec à Montréal. She has also taken part in many discussion groups within the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés du Québec and is a member of the Association des femmes en finance du Québec.
Maxime Lebeau
Vice President & Practice Leader
Read the biography
Maxime is the director and head of operations and executive search at Mandrake Group. As proud successor to the firm, he has big ambitions for the future of the company. Having led a number of initiatives such as the database of Quebecers abroad, he takes pride in finding innovative ways to push conventional boundaries.
Fascinated by Executive Recruitment and Interpersonal Relations, Maxime has supported or led more than 100 assignments since his beginning in 2015.
Before joining the team, Maxime completed a bachelor’s degree in Demography at the Université de Montréal, a university recognized for having laid down the first demography department in North America. As part of the completion of his baccalaureate, Maxime had the chance to spend two years abroad: at first in Nice, France, at the University Sophie Antipolis in economics, and second, in Minneapolis at the University of Minnesota in urban geography.
Since 2017, Maxime has been involved in various organizations and groups of a political nature and economic development such as the “Groupe la Relève en famille, en affaires! “.
Since 2015, Maxime has been an active member of the “Jeune Chambre de Commerce de Montréal” (JCCM). In addition to serving on the JCCM’s Executive Committee in 2016, Maxime will hold several management positions within the JCCM. Since 2019, Maxime has been involved in his community by sitting on the board of directors of a NPO in the Villeray-Parc-Extension neighbourhood, which helps disadvantaged youth to give them the tools and resources to reach university. Maxime wants to actively participate in the international reputation of local businesses by matching the needs of these companies with the profile of the ideal candidate.
Maxime is an ambassador of Mandrake’s values as a Consultant in Strategy for Research and Talent Acquisition.
Linda Arsenault
Executive Onboarding Coach
Read the biography
Linda is our Executive Onboarding Coach. She has been partnering with us for the past 10 years, working closely with our Executives during the integration period.
She is a certified MCC coach with more than 4000 hours of practice.
With Linda, we have developed an onboarding program that is recognized and appreciated by our clients in the preparation of the first 100-day action plan. This process gives the Executives time to step back, discuss, and maximize the benefits of the onboarding period along with being aware of the risks.
Marie-Christine Carrière
Executive Assistant & Office Manager
Read the biography
Marie-Christine mainly worked in the entertainment industry before joining the team at Mandrake Montreal. During these past years, she has developed her adaptability and her creativity at work to always ensure profitability, both for time and resources.
Through her various work experiences, her interest in acquiring talent has carved out an increasingly important place. She fundamentally believes in the potential of each member of a team and the importance of putting the right people in the right places to create an enviable synergy within organizations; values that she is proud to share with Mandrake Montreal.
Her extensive practical experience in coordinating projects of all kinds allows her to effectively support her team in achieving its objectives with rigor and versatility.
Her appreciation for collaboration and her interpersonal skills makes her a key person to occupy the positions of executive assistant and office manager.
Marie-Christine holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the Université du Québec à Montréal, a master’s degree in Business Administration in Global Business from Université Laval and a certificate in Business and Management of Entertainment from the University of California, Los Angeles.