“Once you’ve made it, it’s important to reach back and pull somebody else up.”
Valois traces his professional success back to the foundation he built at Concordia. Raised around his family’s small manufacturing business, he understood the basics of operations and accounting but not the broader strategic world of business.
“What Concordia gave me was the tools to go out in the world and build that confidence,” he says. “The more experience you got, the more confidence you got — and the more confidence you got, the more experience you were allowed to get because those doors opened up.”
A first-year marketing course was a turning point.
“My professor’s delivery was so good that I caught on exactly what she was trying to say. She was talking my language,” he recalls. “From that point on, I said, ‘Okay — I get it,’ and I devoted myself to working with the teachers. They were very human and very receptive.”
After roles at Domtar, United Westburne and Repap, Valois built his career in the global pulp and paper sector. In 1997, he founded Michel Valois Vision Marketing Ltd., a firm that analyzes international pulp and paper markets and advises major companies on industry trends and strategic decision-making. His work, which now spans more than 30 countries, also included more than a decade of contributions to the United Nations’ Forest Products Annual Market Review.
Engaging with CEOs and senior executives worldwide demanded the analytical clarity and communication skills he first developed at Concordia.
“You can’t fool these people,” he says. “You have to be able to tell a compelling story, be logical and concise and get your point across.”
‘Everybody should have an opportunity‘
A long-time advocate for healthy living, Valois says his gift reflects the elements he believes people need to thrive: education, critical thinking, opportunity and access to foundational supports.
“I would like this gift to be in the area of health the way I see it — healthy living, making sure you have goals and a plan,” he says. “By having the proper support and education, people can fulfill their dreams and live a happy and healthy life.”
He also hopes the endowment will help remove financial barriers for students.
“I don’t think money should be a limiting factor in somebody’s education,” he says. “Everybody should have an opportunity. If I can help open doors through bursaries or grants or whatever the school decides to do with the funds, then they’ll be better people for it.”
Valois decided on a planned gift after reflecting on his retirement and the legacy he wanted to leave.
“It’s not how much you have — it’s what you do with it,” he remarks. “You take care of your family and the people who are important to you, but the institutions that helped you should also be given something back.”
Supporting Concordia felt especially meaningful because he has watched the university grow and define its place in Quebec and beyond.
“Concordia is a relatively young university. It had to build its base of graduates, its endowments,” he notes. “For it to continue to thrive, it needs alumni support. A university is not just buildings and faculty — it’s a community of supporters, and that’s what I want to help build.”
Valois hopes his gift inspires others to consider the impact they can make at any scale.
“Once you’ve made it, it’s important to reach back and pull somebody else up. I’m grateful for the education and opportunities Concordia gave me. This is my way of giving back and helping others achieve their goals.”
Join donors like Michel Valois. Consult with our planned giving experts to learn how you can create a legacy that supports the next generation of Concordians and strengthens the future of health research.