Tunnel boring machine

Florence Junca-Adenot
Transportation and Urban Planning Specialist

“If an event highlights the usefulness of public transport, I’m there! It’s an exciting project that stimulates the development of accessible neighbourhoods that are great places to live, moving us away from the prevailing gloom.”

Florence Junca-Adenot holds a doctorate in economics, a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Bordeaux, an MBA from Université Laval. She is associate professor in the Department of Urban and Tourism Studies (UQAM).

She launched her career in 1971 and has held various positions at UQAM, spearheading, among other things, the construction of the 10 phases of development of the UQAM campus in the heart of Montreal. At the same time, she has been active in her community, becoming Boucherville’s first female municipal councillor in 1978.

From 1990 to 1997 she chaired the organization tasked to revive Vieux Montréal, which led to the creation of the Pointe-à-Calière museum and the renovation of Marché Bonsecours.

From 1996 to 2004 she was Chief Executive Officer of the new Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT). She was tasked with stimulating the revival of public transit in the metropolitan area, and she revived commuter trains and led the development of the metro to Laval.

Florence Junca-Adenot is a Knight of the Ordre national du Québec, a Commander of the Ordre de Montréal and an honorary doctorate from Université de Montréal. She has founded or led some 15 organizations and is still actively involved in urban planning and public transportation.

Geneviève Boisjoly
Transportation Planning Specialist Engineer

“I am honoured to have been selected among the finalists to become the tunnel boring machine’s godmother. I share this recognition with the entire Polytechnique community committed to advancing sustainable mobility.”

Geneviève Boisjoly is a professor at Polytechnique Montréal, where she specializes in transportation planning and sustainable mobility. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Polytechnique Montréal, a master’s degree in sustainability science from Lund University in Sweden and a PhD in urban planning from McGill University.

Her work focuses on the connections between transportation, travel habits and quality of life. Her research highlights the importance of social dimensions in transportation engineering—an aspect that remains underrepresented in traditional approaches. She also addresses issues of equity to better meet the needs of communities. 

Together with her team, she helps envision cities that are more accessible and better equipped to meet today’s mobility challenges.

Geneviève Boisjoly is a member of the Interuniversity Research Centre on Enterprise Networks, Logistics, and Transportation (CIRRELT) and of Institut de valorisation des données (IVADO).

Lisette St Onge
First female métro operator in Montréal

“I loved my job as a métro operator. I never thought I would have the opportunity to become the godmother of the tunnel boring machine for the Blue line extension. “

In 1980, Lisette St Onge (then known as Lisette Renaud), was hired as a bus driver for the Commission de transport de la Communauté urbaine de Montréal (CTCUM, now STM). At that time, there were barely fifteen women behind the wheel, with the first female driver having been hired three years earlier.  

A few months later, Lisette learned that the métro network was looking for new operators. Intrigued, she applied and was accepted. Emboldened by her colleagues, she became Montréal’s first female métro operator in the spring of 1981.

It took more than six years before a second woman took the plunge and became an operator. Lisette benefited from a supportive work environment with kind, respectful colleagues who welcomed her warmly. 

Now retired, she has fond memories of her career, particularly having represented women in non-traditional occupations at the STM in various forum. 

Louise Millette
Driven engineer and professor

“Access to public transit is so important to me and to Montréal’s urban life. I would love to take part in something as significant as the Blue line extension.”

After graduating from Polytechnique Montréal with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Louise Millette’s interests quickly focused on the environment and sustainable development. She then pursued a master’s degree in civil engineering at the University of British Columbia, then returned to Polytechnique Montréal for her PhD.

From 1990 to 2002, she worked at Bell Canada, playing a key role in identifying, developing and implementing strategies and programs for managing the company’s environmental aspects.

In 2001, she was appointed as director of Polytechnique Montréal’s Département des génies civil, géologique et des mines [Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering]. She became the first woman to head one of this institution’s departments. In addition to her leadership role, she was committed to building a culture of sustainable development. Thanks to her drive, Polytechnique Montréal obtained several certifications and, in 2013, created the Bureau du développement durable [Sustainable Development Office].

A Knight of the Ordre de Montréal, Louise Millette is currently president of the Fondation Rivières. She has also served as chair of the board of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec and the Association québécoise de vérification environnementale, in addition her involvement in a number of other organizations.

Michèle Thibodeau-DeGuire
Engineer and Board Member

“As a civil engineer, I am honoured and deeply moved by this nomination. It would be a joy to take part in such an engaging project with deep roots in the community.”

In 1963, Michèle Thibodeau-DeGuire was the first woman to graduate with a degree in civil engineering from Polytechnique Montréal. She began her career as a structural engineer at Lalonde Girouard Letendre, and later became the first female consulting engineer in Quebec. From 1982 to 1984, she was Quebec’s delegate general in Boston, becoming the first woman to serve as Quebec’s delegate general abroad.

She joined Polytechnique Montréal in 1985, first as assistant to the president and then as director of public relations at the institution. From 1991 to 2012, she was president and CEO of Centraide of Greater Montreal, which enjoyed unprecedented success during her tenure. From 2013 to 2020, she was the first woman to hold the position of Chair of the Board of Directors of Polytechnique de Montréal.

As a Member of the Order of Canada, Knight of the National Order of Quebec and Commander of the Order of Montreal, Michèle Thibodeau-DeGuire has received countless distinctions over the years, including honorary