Denise Paré-Julien is the former President of the Business Families Foundation, a member of CAFE (Canadian Association for Entrepreneurial Families), and a Fellow of the Family Firm Institute (FFI). She is a graduate of UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal) and HEC Montréal and was a manager for many years in a leading financial institution in Québec. Denise has experience with families, professionals, consultants and academics in Canada, Mexico, United States and Europe. Her goal is to empower business families and give them the hope, encouragement and support to better understand their issues and face their challenges. Her main interest is implementing governance structures in family owned firms, such as family councils.