Jacques Ménard, chairman of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. chairman and president of Bank of Montreal’s operations in Quebec, has been honoured with the Conference Board of Canada’s 2015 Honorary Associate Award.

Conferred annually upon individuals who have served their organization and their country with distinction, the award is the Ottawa-based not-for-profit research organization’s highest honour.

“It is a privilege to recognize Jacques Ménard’s enduring contributions, passion and commitment have built an important legacy for his community, province and country,” says Daniel Muzyka, president and CEO of the Conference Board, in a statement.

Ménard has become one of Canada’s most respected corporate leaders and is admired for both his business acumen and his deep sense of corporate social responsibility, the Conference Board’s announcement notes.

In 2008, he published his first book, Si on s’y mettait, a call to action for building a more dynamic society and linking competitiveness and education. In its wake, he established the Groupe d’action sur la persévérance et la réussite scolaires. More recently, he initiated a major study, in conjunction with the Boston Consulting Group, aimed at revitalizing Montreal.

Ménard has received numerous public distinctions over the years. In 2009, he received the Public Policy Forum Testimonial Award and was recognized as a Great Montrealer by the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. In 2012, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Medal of Honour from the Montreal Heart Institute for his philanthropic involvement and support.

That same year, he was also promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada, the highest level of the Order of Canada and this country’s highest public distinction. He is also an Officer of the Order of Quebec.

In 2014, Ménard was recognized as the most community involved CEO in Quebec at the CEO of the Year Awards organized by the French-language business publication Les Affaires. Most recently, he was named one of the first recipients of Canada’s Public Policy Forum’s Marcel Côté Award for Leadership in Public Policy.

Ménard serves as chairman of Montreal International and Youth Fusion and is a member of many boards of directors, including WestJet, Claridge Inc., Stingray Digital, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Montreal Alouettes, the Macdonald Stewart Foundation, the Mobilys Foundation and FIRST Robotics Quebec. Ménard is also Chancellor Emeritus of Concordia University, his alma mater.

Ménard will be officially honoured by corporate leaders and his peers on Nov. 10 at the Centre Sheraton in Montreal.