Robert Beaudry takes the helm at the Luc Maurice Foundation!
After more than 15 years in community work and social development, plus 8 years in municipal politics, Robert Beaudry has chosen to continue his career as head of the Luc Maurice Foundation. Driven by a constant desire to build bridges across different sectors and create tangible impact, his vision is clear: to strengthen the Foundation’s role as a lever for social transformation in service of people – especially older adults.
Robert, can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to become the new Managing Director of the Luc Maurice Foundation?
My career path hasn’t been a straight line. I started out in a creative field, studying graphic design and then art history, before feeling the need to move toward something more tangible and more human.
That’s what led me into the community sector, where I gained management skills while also developing a deep understanding of on-the-ground realities, particularly in the areas of homelessness and STI prevention. Over time, I wanted to broaden my knowledge and my impact. So I moved to the Société de développement social de Ville Marie, where I worked to build bridges between the community organizations of downtown Montreal and the private sector. That’s when I truly discovered the power of partnerships – and how much more we can accomplish when we work together.
Then I had the opportunity to become Managing Director of PAS de la rue, an organization that supports vulnerable older adults. It was a defining experience: I came to understand just how great, urgent and real the needs are – and how essential nonprofits are to maintaining the social safety net for this segment of the population.
During the two and a half years I spent there, we went through an intense period of growth: expanding services, creating transitional housing projects, launching intergenerational initiatives. I truly felt I was helping to build something real and tangible, thanks to a dedicated team and a clear sense of mission.
That experience, more than anything, deepened my understanding of and commitment to older adults.
Your time in municipal politics also left its mark on your career. What do you take away from it?
It was an incredibly rich experience. I was elected as a city councillor in Ville-Marie as part of Valérie Plante’s team, and she appointed me to the executive committee. I held several portfolios there, including economic development, housing, urban planning and homelessness. I contributed to a number of major initiatives, such as implementing policies to support tenants and developing the urban planning and mobility plan for 2050.
What I take away most of all is the complexity of the issues – but also the importance of collaboration. In municipal politics, you’re very close to citizens: you see firsthand the impact of decisions on their daily lives.
You also quickly learn that you can’t do everything alone. You have to work with partners, create leverage and move things forward in a coordinated way. That mindset still follows me today.
So the role of Managing Director at the Luc Maurice Foundation feels like a natural next step for your career, would you say?
Absolutely. After my time in politics, I couldn’t step back. I wanted to keep working in a role that would let me have a real impact on people’s lives.
When the opportunity for the Foundation’s directorship came up, it felt very natural. Here you have that intersection of social, public and private sectors; three worlds I know well and that have always shaped my path. But beyond that, what drew me even more was the vision I have – this possibility to go even further by mobilizing resources and creating partnerships to move things forward.
How would you define the Foundation’s role today?
I see it as a catalyst. The Foundation can’t, on its own, address every challenge related to an aging population. But it can certainly play a decisive and strategic role in accelerating solutions.
I come back to the importance of collaboration. The role of the community sector is to respond to needs with tailored services; the public sector creates the favourable conditions for those initiatives to emerge; and the private sector has the means to support and scale those ideas.
So I see an extraordinary opportunity here to position the Foundation as a lever that brings these three entities together – and then the possibilities are endless. That’s the future, in my view, and Luc Maurice understood that well with Mission Unitaînés.
What do you think will be the Foundation’s priority areas in the short term?
In the coming months, there’s a significant strategic reflection to be done. The Foundation has been around for several years now, so it’s the right time to take a step back and ask the right questions: where are we, where do we want to go, and how can we maximize our societal impact?
The goal is an agile strategic plan – rooted in reality and focused on finding fast, effective solutions, because it can’t be said often enough: there’s urgency to act. The older adult population is growing exponentially, and so are the challenges tied to aging.
We’ll obviously want to continue supporting our partners, but also develop larger-scale projects that help shift practices. Because a foundation is also a space for innovation. We can test ideas there, support emerging projects and accelerate their rollout.
Finally, there’s one aspect that’s very important to me: being out in the field. Meeting organizations, connecting with the people who receive their services, understanding their realities, building relationships – that’s essential, in my view, if the Foundation is to stay relevant.
How do you see your role as Managing Director of the Foundation?
I deeply believe in purpose. That’s what brings teams together around a clear vision – and it also allows for creativity. Creativity isn’t just about art; it’s the ability to adapt your approach and innovate in sometimes complex situations to find solutions.
I also strongly believe in collective intelligence. The best ideas often come from bringing together different cultures, realities and perspectives. And of course, people must always remain at the heart of everything. My entire career has been about working with and for people, often in challenging circumstances, and that has taught me the importance of listening, empathy, and above all, collaboration.
What are your first impressions of Le Groupe Maurice since joining a few weeks ago?
I felt a strong sense of cohesion and a company culture rooted in kindness. I find that extremely positive, reassuring and promising! I sense here a genuine will to do things differently. The values aren’t just written down, they’re truly embodied and passed on. It’s important for me to work in an environment where there’s consistency between intentions and actions. It aligns with who I am.
I was also impressed by the teams’ commitment and the vision carried by Luc Maurice. It’s inspiring to join an organization that has this ability to think long-term and be ambitious, while staying deeply human.
Now let’s move to a slightly more personal side, to get to know you better. What deeply motivates you, day to day?
Purpose, above all. I’ve always needed to feel that my work contributes to something larger than myself. Whether in community work, in politics or now at the Foundation, that motivation has remained the same. It’s a common thread throughout my entire career.
And I’m deeply drawn to people – in all their complexity. That’s what nourishes me most, and what makes my work as demanding as it is motivating.
And outside of work?
I’m a huge board game fan! It’s a bit of a release valve that helps me unwind while spending time with family or friends. I also read a lot – essays, philosophy, literature – and I love exploring new worlds. Lately, it’s been science fiction.
I also run: I take part in the Montreal half-marathon every year. I enjoy cycling, spending time in nature, and most of all, being with my wife and two daughters.
And I love to travel, especially to France; a country I’m very fond of, and where my wife is from. Since we’ve been together for nearly 20 years, every time we go back, it’s to reconnect and share wonderful moments. I also enjoy cooking, hosting friends… in short, creating simple moments that are rich and fulfilling. That’s essential to my balance.
Do you have a quote or life philosophy you’d like to share – one that guides you?
There are two that often stay with me. The first is: “Choosing means letting go.” It reminds me that every decision involves trade-offs, and you have to own them.
The second: “The trouble with the world is that the stupid are overconfident and the intelligent are full of doubt.” I think it captures well the importance of staying humble, questioning yourself and never stopping learning. That’s the only way to become a better person and to help move society forward, in our own way!
Robert Beaudry, it’s clear the Foundation has found the right person in you! With all your experience, you’ll no doubt bring to life the kind of meaningful projects that matter most to you – and that we’ll all be proud to stand behind. Thanks for such an open and thoughtful conversation, and best of luck as you bring your vision and creativity to the Foundation!