Ambassador Ben Marc Diendéré

Ambassador Ben Marc Diendéré,

Permanent Observer to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
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From 2020 to 2022, Ben Marc Diendéré worked at VIA Rail Canada as Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer. He oversaw the strategic direction, alignment and operational performance of activities related to internal and external communications, public affairs and media relations, as well as government and stakeholder relations. He has also led initiatives to promote universal accessibility, sustainable development and social responsibility.
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During his career, Mr. Diendéré has worked in the public and private sectors, at the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles and at Partenariat International. Prior to joining VIA Rail Canada, he was Executive Vice-President, Communications, Public Affairs and Brand Image at Groupecoopératif Sollio (formerly La Coop fédérée) from 2011 to 2019. From 2005 to 2011, he was Senior Director of Institutional Relations and Public and Corporate Affairs at Quebecor Media.
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Mr. Diendéré holds a graduate degree from HEC Montréal, a master's degree in marketing management from the Institut français de presse of the Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas and a master's degree in sociology of information and communication from the University of Ouagadougou.

Very involved in his community, Mr. Diendéré has served on the boards of directors of a dozen organizations working in various sectors, such as arts and culture, economic development, and diversity and inclusion. He has been Chair of the Board of Directors of UNICEF Canada since 2022, of the Development Committee of the Université de Montréal since 2021 and of the Conseil des arts de Montréal since 2020. He has also been a member of Little Brothers since 2020, Groupe 3737 since 2018 and Excellence Québec since 2016, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the Université de Montréal since 2014.