Monique Leroux, chairwoman, president and CEO of Lévis, Que.-based financial co-operative Desjardins Group, was elected to the board of directors of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) this week.

“Canada and Desjardins Group have long been proud, strong supporters of the ICA, and I’m happy to continue the tradition,” said Leroux. “Working as a member of the ICA, I hope to help promote the co-operative model around the world.”

The ICA held its global conference and general assembly this week in Cape Town, South Africa, where members from nearly 100 countries participated in board elections.

Leroux has a wealth of directorship experience. Her current appointments include: chair of the Conseil québécois de la coopération et de la mutualité; director of the new Canadian organization formed by the Conseil canadien de la coopération et de la mutualité and the Canadian Co-operative Association; vice-president of the presidential committee and member of the executive committee of the International Confederation of Popular Banks; and member of both the board of directors and executive committee of the European Association of Co-operative Banks.

“The ICA and Desjardins Group will continue to be close co-operative partners, in particular as we prepare to co-host the 2014 International Summit of Co-operatives taking place in Quebec City next October,” said Leroux.