Our Co-Founders

Dominique Anglade – Co-Founder of KANPE

Dominique Anglade was born in Montreal to Haitian parents who were political exiles. While she grew up primarily in Quebec, her early years also took her to Ontario, British Columbia, and Haiti, where she lived for three years following the fall of the Duvaliers. This time in Haiti allowed her to reconnect with her roots and, above all, to understand the responsibility of those who have the means to contribute to a better world. This awareness was nurtured by the values her parents instilled in her, as passionate advocates for social justice.

Dominique has always been driven by a deep desire to serve her community. Over more than two decades, she has sat on the boards of fifteen organizations, leading several of them, including as president of a student association at Polytechnique, the Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal, and as co-founder and president of the KANPE Foundation. Her achievements have been widely recognized, with more than 25 honors, including the Desjardins Émérite Scholarship and a tribute for civic engagement from the Quebec Ministry of Relations with Citizens. In 2014, the World Economic Forum in Davos named her a Young Global Leader, a prestigious distinction highlighting her growing influence.

Her professional career began at Procter & Gamble in 1996, where, at just 24, she was promoted to head an operations department supervising over 100 employees. She then went on to Nortel Networks and the prestigious McKinsey & Company, specializing in large-scale business transformations and developing expertise in strategic management. Dominique later served as CEO of Montréal International, working to attract foreign investment and strategic talent to the region.

In November 2015, Dominique reached a historic milestone as the first woman of Haitian descent elected to the National Assembly of Quebec. The following year, she broke another barrier as the first person of Haitian descent to hold a ministerial position in Canada, serving as Minister of Economy, Science, and Innovation. From 2017 to 2018, she served as Deputy Premier of Quebec.

In 2020, Dominique made history once again by becoming leader of the Quebec Liberal Party and Leader of the Official Opposition, a position she held until 2022. In 2023, she embarked on a new path as an Associate Professor and Co-Lead of Sustainable Transition at HEC Montréal.

Married and mother of three, Dominique Anglade embodies a woman of intellect and heart, driven by an unwavering commitment to build bridges, break glass ceilings, and pave the way toward a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Régine Chassagne – Co-Founder of KANPE

Born in Montreal to Haitian parents who fled the Duvalier dictatorship, Régine Chassagne grew up surrounded by stories of courage and hope. These roots shaped the woman she became: an artist, a committed citizen, and a bridge between worlds.

A singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Régine co-founded Arcade Fire, the Grammy-winning band whose music has resonated in stadiums and touched millions of people. Yet behind this global success lies a deeper commitment.

On her first trip to Haiti, traveling the country with the late Dr. Paul Farmer, Régine witnessed the challenges communities there faced—but also their remarkable strength and dignity. These encounters left a lasting impression and fueled her determination to act.

Long before 2010, she and her childhood friend and Haitian-Canadian leader Dominique Anglade were already exploring the idea of creating an organization to support rural communities in Haiti. The devastating earthquake that struck in January 2010 intensified this commitment, accelerating the birth of the KANPE Foundation just months later.

“Kanpe”, which means “to stand up” in Haitian Creole, perfectly captures the mission of the organization: to support rural communities through leadership, entrepreneurship, agroforestry, education, health, and local infrastructure.

Through Arcade Fire and the PLUS1 initiative—which she helped create to turn concert tours into spaces of solidarity—fans around the world joined this movement, one ticket and one dollar at a time. Thanks to her advocacy efforts, Régine has helped raise over $12 million for projects led by and for Haitian communities.

In 2016, Concordia University awarded her an honorary doctorate, recognizing both her artistic achievements and her commitment to Haiti.

From international stages to the mountains of the Central Plateau, Régine Chassagne continues to embody the spirit of Kanpe: helping others stand tall and inspiring the world to move forward alongside her.