High marks for Danièle Henkel as her mandate as Board Chair of the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau draws to a close

MONTRÉAL, Feb. 8, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Danièle Henkel, the Board Chair of the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau (SPJD), announced today, in the presence of Montréal Mayor Valérie Plante, she will not be seeking a second mandate on April 29, the date on which her three-year term as Chair is due to end.  

"In 2015, I enthusiastically accepted the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau's Board Chair position, with the aim of imparting my professional experience and getting involved in my community," stated Ms. Henkel. "It was an opportunity that has allowed me to be around and work with people who are avidly interested in their Parc and to contribute to the development of an outstanding site. The feeling of achievement, combined with my intention to make myself available for new challenges in my career, allows me to now pass the torch on to someone who can continue the work that has been started and carry out the Parc's mobilizing projects. As my mandate ends, I am deeply proud of the work that has been accomplished, and I believe I am leaving the Parc in good hands."

Montréal Mayor Valérie Plante took a moment to thank Ms. Henkel for her efforts in successfully fulfilling her mandate.  "Over the last three years, Danièle Henkel has provided the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau with her talent, experience, passion and vision. Her diligence in carrying out her duties has largely contributed to Parc Jean-Drapeau's current status as a popular destination for thousands of visitors every year. Personally, and on behalf of all Montrealers, I extend my sincere thanks to Ms. Henkel for her commitment. I wish her much success in her new projects, and I will be pleased to work with her again, whenever such opportunities arise."  

During her three-year term as Board Chair, Ms. Henkel was heavily involved in the development of Parc Jean-Drapeau, from enhancing daily programming to implementing structural projects. From the time she assumed her duties in April, 2015, she surrounded herself with an experienced and complementary team of administrators, whose diligence and meticulousness has resulted in major achievements. One of these involved the creation of four committees within the Board of Directors; this allowed the team to be more efficient in managing topics like human resources, auditing, governance and innovation.

"In 28 years in public administration, I have rarely seen a manager endowed with such energy and an ability to bring various groups together with such efficiency," remarked Ronald Cyr, the SPJD's General Manager. "The entire Parc Jean-Drapeau team is very fortunate to have been able to work with Ms. Henkel." 

Achievement of major projects

Only a few months into her Board Chair mandate, Ms. Henkel and her team set in motion the Enhancement and Development Plan for the south sector of Île Sainte-Hélène. The major project is designed to modernize and preserve this site, which is symbolic of the city's heritage. 

With a vision of making the Parc an international calibre destination, Ms. Henkel also focused on carrying out projects geared toward the sustainability of the park, as well as its activities and facilities. The signing of an agreement to stage the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix through 2029 and the project to renovate the paddocks in 2017 were in keeping with the sustainability plan.

In her first year as the Board Chair, Ms. Henkel instigated Parc Jean-Drapeau's Development Master Plan. In the interest of transparency, it was essential to have public consultations on the guidelines for the plan, and this was conducted by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM).

And, as part of the major projects, a Forestry Master Plan was implemented in 2017, an initiative that is also in keeping with the Parc's sustainable development.

An enhanced program

A person of great heart and mind, Ms. Henkel, was particularly attentive throughout her mandate to broadening Parc Jean-Drapeau's program, so it could meet the needs of young families. This led to the development, in 2016, of a series of free family activities at Jean-Doré Beach and the Aquatic Complex, a highly successful initiative which will continue well beyond her mandate as Chair.    

Drawing on a remarkable professional career, Ms. Henkel was able to instill her attentiveness to excellence and renewal into the Parc Jean-Drapeau team. In this perspective, the programs for the Fête des neiges de Montréal and Week-ends du monde were enhanced in recent years, leading to an increase in popularity for these events organized by the Parc, and sparking a keener interest in future development projects.

Synergy and transparency

Over the years, Ms. Henkel oversaw the implementing of mechanisms to establish a closer relationship with Parc Jean-Drapeau's partners. During Ms. Henkel's tenure as Chair, the Parc Jean-Drapeau team has had a more extensive collaboration with its partners in analyzing common issues and working toward the development of innovative solutions. A higher degree of transparency was also established, notably through regular publication of information regarding the follow-up of Parc activities and an increased presence on the organization's various digital and interactive platforms.  

About the SPJD

The Société du parc Jean-Drapeau is a City of Montréal para-municipal organization whose mission is to manage, administrate, develop, protect and animate Parc Jean-Drapeau.

SOURCE SOCIETE DU PARC JEAN-DRAPEAU