A meaningful transition
After 28 years of exceptional commitment, including three as president, Michel Pauzé is stepping down with emotion and pride, passing the torch to Sébastien Fassier, who was identified a year ago as the next chairman of the board of directors.
This is not a departure, but a handover. A gesture that embodies continuity, trust, and the strength of the collective.
Thank you, Michel: the legacy of a "Builder" with a big heart
We express our deep gratitude to Michel for his people-oriented and cohesive leadership. His commitment, spanning more than a quarter of a century, has shaped the history of Enfant Soleil.
Under his leadership, Enfant Soleil has grown, modernized its practices, and multiplied its impact. Faithful to a precious but visionary legacy, Michel sowed the seeds of the future by creating the Cercle des Bâtisseurs (Builders' Circle) and bringing young professionals onto the board.
His mark is such that an award will now bear his name: the Enfant Soleil Grand Philanthropist Award, which will honor inspiring leaders each year. For Michel, Enfant Soleil was never just a mission, but a true calling.
A page is turning, but the mission is accelerating.
Starting in January, Sébastien Fassier will assume the chairmanship of the board of directors. Like his predecessor, he embodies a deeply human vision focused on innovation.
His community involvement is well established: after three years as chairman of the board of the Espace pour la vie Foundation, he has stepped down to devote himself fully to his new duties on the board of directors of Enfant Soleil, where he has served as a director for eight years.
He is a pioneer in digital communications and data management, and his expertise has been sought after at the highest international levels. He helped propel an analytics and artificial intelligence firm to the forefront of the Canadian market. His experience and network will be valuable assets for the future of the organization.
But beyond his skills, Sébastien has an intimate and intense understanding of Enfant Soleil's mission.
As the son of a pediatric orthopedist, he grew up in contact with the pediatric hospital environment. As a father, he also experienced the anxiety of emergency care for his daughter, who suffered a serious infection at the age of one—an experience that gives him a unique sensitivity to the reality of families.
This authentic connection, coupled with his credibility as a Certified Society Administrator makes him ideally suited to take the reins.
A strategic vision for tomorrow
Under his chairmanship, the organization is committed to strategic planning that is resolutely forward-looking and based on three pillars:
- Innovation and modernization: ensuring that the Board remains a driver of innovation and strategic thinking for decades to come.
- Exemplary governance: maintaining high standards of leadership through agile and forward-thinking governance; ensure transparency, efficiency, and sustainability.
- Sustainable impact: mobilizing the community to offer more hope to children and their families.
"The philanthropy of tomorrow is no longer content with simply helping : it transforms our world, one enlightened gesture at a time, and builds sustainable futures that no one dared even imagine" - Sébastien Fassier
This transition is much more than a change of roles: it is a promise of continuity and renewal. Together, with Sébastien at the helm and Michel still present as a member of the Cercle des Bâtisseurs, we will continue the mission that has united us since 1988: making a difference for sick children and their families.