Catherine B. Bachand appointed President and CEO of SÉO: a new chapter for an organization in transformation
Ottawa, September 23, 2026
The Société Économique de l’Ontario (SÉO) is entering a new chapter with the appointment of Catherine B. Bachand as President and CEO.
Appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in March 2025, Ms. Bachand was tasked with strengthening and expanding the SÉO’s initiatives to increase its economic and social impact in Ontario’s Francophone and bilingual communities. Since taking on the role, she has led a transformation focused on bringing teams closer together, strengthening coordination across the organization’s activities and increasing its capacity to take action.
“Since joining the SÉO, Ms. Bachand has led significant changes in how the organization operates and how it engages its partners. Her appointment as President and CEO reflects the Board’s full confidence in her leadership and in her ability to guide the SÉO through its next stage of development,” said Cathy Modesto, Chair of the SÉO’s Board of Directors.
“As Canada looks to strengthen its supply chains, expand interprovincial trade and build a more resilient and competitive economy, the Francophonie represents a powerful driver of growth and market diversification for Ontario and Canada,” said Catherine B. Bachand.
The Francophonie represents considerable economic strength, but much of its potential remains untapped. In Canada alone, there are more than 116,000 Francophone-owned businesses outside Quebec, in addition to Quebec’s economic strength. Internationally, the Francophonie spans economies on every continent, giving Canadian businesses access to a vast network of potential markets and partners.
“Our collective ambition should now be to unlock that full potential,” Ms. Bachand continued. “To do so, we need to bring the different parts of the Francophone economy closer together by strengthening ties among our businesses, talent, markets and the organizations that support them. Above all, we need to ensure that the Francophonie is fully represented within Canada’s major economic and trade networks, as well as internationally.
“That is the mission I have set for myself at the SÉO: to build those bridges and turn our collective strength into economic growth and lasting vitality for our communities.”
Before joining the SÉO, Ms. Bachand led government relations at Destination Canada, the federal Crown corporation responsible for supporting the prosperity and profitability of Canada’s tourism industry and promoting Canada as a premier tourism destination. She previously held senior leadership positions in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors in Canada and internationally.
To learn more about the SÉO, its achievements and its impact across Ontario, read its 2025–2026 Annual Report.
About the SÉO
Founded more than 25 years ago, the Société Économique de l’Ontario (SÉO) supports the growth of Ontario’s French-speaking and bilingual economy, an important driver of Canada’s competitiveness. With a team of some 40 employees across the province, the SÉO helps entrepreneurs start and grow businesses, supports French-speaking and bilingual newcomers as they enter the labour market and access quality employment, helps employers recruit qualified bilingual talent, and works with communities to advance local economic development through a range of initiatives and programs.
The SÉO relies on the support of key strategic partners to fulfill its mandate, including the Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité (RDÉE Canada), the Government of Canada through the Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities (EF-OLMC), and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), particularly through the Settlement Program and the Francophone Immigration Support Program (FISP).
This financial and strategic support enables the organization to develop meaningful initiatives that reflect the realities of Ontario’s Francophone communities and contribute directly to their vitality, economic development and prosperity.
For more information:
François Legault Acting Manager, Communications and External Relations
Société Économique de l’Ontario
613-390-2871 flegault@seo-ont.ca