Serge Godin

Serge Godin founded CGI in 1976 at the age of 26. Under his leadership, CGI has grown to be among the largest independent information technology and business process services firms in the world.

Mr. Godin is a member and director of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives.  He is also a member of the Cércle des présidents du Québec.  Throughout his career, Serge Godin has remained very involved in various endeavors that further the economic development of Montreal, Quebec and Canada including being President of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.

Active in his community, Serge Godin has helped many organization raise funds for education, healthcare and young people in difficulty.  Organizations include the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec, Concordia University, l’Université de Montréal, HEC Montréal, CEGEP de Jonquière, the Canadian Cancer Society (Daffodil Ball), the Montreal Heart Institute, Hôpital de Chicoutimi and Boulot Vers…, an organization that helps young people reintegrate into the job market.  Most recently, he chaired the committee for the Marie Vincent fund raising event, an organization that helps battered children.

In 2000, he established the Fondation Jeunesse-Vie with a mission to alleviate poverty, advance education and improve the health of disadvantage children and teens in Canada.  Mr. Godin has personally funded the Fondation, in addition to giving his time and other resources.  Since its inception, The Fondation has helped more than 90 schools, hospitals and youth organizations.

Serge Godin completed post-secondary studies in computer technology, obtained the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in management and undertook studies towards Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program at the Université Laval in Quebec City.  Mr. Godin is a fellow of the Quebec Institute of Certified Management Consultants.  He is also a member of the University of Waterloo’s board of governors.

Serge Godin was appointed member of the Order of Canada (C.M.) in honor of his achievements and contribution to the economic development of Canada as well as a member of the Ordre National du Québec.  He was awarded an honoris causa from the HEC Montreal, an honoris causa Doctor of Management degree from the Université Laval in Quebec City and an honoris causa Doctor of Law degree from Concordia University in Montreal.  In 2003, he was named Great Montrealer by the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal for his lifetime achievements.  In 2000, he was inducted into the Canadian Information Productivity Awards (CIPA) Hall of Fame.  He received the Dimensions Award in 1997 from the Ordre des administrateurs agrees du Québec and in 1996 he received a lifetime achievement award from the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi.                                       

“Without a doubt, Serge Godin is one of our great information technology entrepreneurs. In 1976, he founded CGI, which became, under his guiding hand, not only one of the largest independent consulting and informatics management firms in North America, but also a good corporate citizen. Aware of the responsibilities that go along with success, he has established and financed the Fondation Jeunesse-Vie to help troubled youth and has participated in numerous fundraising campaigns in the health and education sectors.”