Meet Jean-François Dagenais, Vice President of Finance, IT, and Facilities

Could you tell us about your role at the Old Brewery Mission and your responsibilities?

I am Vice President, Finance, IT and Facilities. My role encompasses the financial management of the Old Brewery Mission as well as all things IT-related, including our current digital transformation, which is designed to provide our employees with the right tools, formalize certain processes and support our organizational growth. I am also responsible for facilities, which includes building management and maintenance. Each of these three areas is a big responsibility in its own right, but there is a logic and synergy to bringing them together under unified leadership. Our practices across all three are very similar.

Can you tell me about your career before your current position?

Before taking on my current role, I worked for 15 years at Exo, a public transit organization that provides bus, paratransit and commuter train service on Montreal’s South Shore and North Shore. I held several positions there, gradually progressing from analyst to assistant controller, then controller, before moving into a senior management position. This career path let me work in a public environment, gain valuable management experience and develop cross-cutting skills.

Why did you make the leap to the Old Brewery Mission?

The job I was offered here appealed to me immediately. It had a broader scope than what I had been doing before and was an opportunity to move forward. I was also attracted to the organization itself and the people I had the good fortune to meet. Their dynamism and commitment really inspired me.

I am very interested in current affairs, particularly complex social issues such as homelessness, which have always affected me. Working at the Old Brewery Mission gave me the chance to combine career development with making a concrete contribution to a social project.

How would you describe the Old Brewery Mission to someone who doesn't know it?

The Old Brewery Mission is a social organization that is deeply committed to its mission. What I find particularly impressive is our ability to adapt quickly and to be flexible, while standing on solid foundations to build and progress. This agility enables us to take on new projects and support them effectively, in line with our mission of helping people experiencing homelessness.

We maintain strong relationships with the public, the various levels of government, the private sector and philanthropic organizations. I think the balance between these stakeholders is an asset for our organization. We have leaders like James Hughes, our President and CEO, who are able to connect with people, to motivate teams, and have a deep understanding of homelessness issues.

What has impressed you the most since you joined the Old Brewery Mission?

Since my arrival, I have developed a deep admiration for our front-line teams—the counsellors, the Café Mission staff—who are in direct contact every day with people in distress who need help and support. Their ability to build relationships, gain the trust of our clients and support them despite often complex issues is remarkable. It’s a demanding job that requires great strength and humanity. Hats off to them!