Paul Desmarais III, Chairman and CEO of Sagard, leads the alternative asset management firm with a focus on partnering with entrepreneurs to drive transformation. Under his leadership, Sagard has grown to over $25B in assets under management, with a global network expanding across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Paul actively engages in Sagard's portfolio companies, serving as Chairman and Co-Founder of Portage and Diagram, and holding board positions in several companies including Wealthsimple and Empower. He is dedicated to building a better business world, co-founding initiatives like the Black Wealth Club and Indigenous Leadership Circle, and championing sustainability within Sagard. Paul also contributes to his community through roles in Centraide, Sainte-Justine Hospital Foundation, and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. He is a recognized leader, receiving accolades like "MBA of the Year," and is involved in mentoring and youth finance initiatives. Prior to Sagard, Paul worked at Goldman Sachs, Imerys S.A., and Great-West Lifeco Inc. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Harvard and an MBA from INSEAD.