CDPQ Infra Elevates Three Executives

Daniel Farina (left), Sophie Lussier (center) and Philippe Batani will transition to new roles at CDPQ Infra starting Sept. 5.

Contractor CDPQ Infra (Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec) has promoted Daniel Farina, Sophie Lussier and Philippe Batani to key positions on its management team, effective Sept. 5. According to the company, the move will position it well for the next phases of Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain (REM) project and for other projects.

“I’m proud of what we’ve delivered so far with the REM, which reached a milestone with last month’s commissioning of the branch between Gare Centrale and Brossard,” said Jean-Marc Arbaud, President and CEO of CDPQ Infra, a CDPQ subsidiary that is responsible for the planning, financing and completion of REM. “I’m also delighted about these appointments of very talented people. With their extensive experience, leadership qualities and deep understanding of our environment and its challenges, Daniel, Sophie and Philippe will strengthen our organization. In their new positions, they will oversee the development and growth of CDPQ Infra.”

Daniel Farina has been appointed Managing Director at CDPQ Infra. In his new and expanded role, he will work closely with Jean-Marc Arbaud to provide global leadership of the company’s activities, including delivering and operating the REM automated urban rail system branches, as well as the high-frequency rail project connecting Québec City and Toronto, for which the consortium that includes CDPQ Infra has already been qualified by the federal government.

Farina has more than 25 years of experience in managing and developing global large-scale infrastructure projects in the health care, energy, and highway and rail transportation sectors. Prior to his appointment as Deputy Managing Director, CDPQ Infra, in November 2022, he was the company’s Vice President of Operations, overseeing the research, management, contracting and development of various infrastructure projects.

Sophie Lussier has been named Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Services, Organizational Performance and Secretariat, overseeing operations. She will have responsibility for the Finance, Risk Management, Legal Affairs, and Talent and Culture teams. She has served on the CDPQ Infra Board of Directors since 2021. Lussier joined CDPQ in 2001 and rose through the ranks to Vice President, Investment, in 2017. Three years later, she became Vice President and Head of Legal Affairs.

Philippe Batani has been appointed Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Communications and Strategy. He will be responsible for media relations, external and internal communications, and relations with stakeholders. He will also oversee the company’s growth strategy and establish and implement approaches related to the positioning of CDPQ Infra and its projects. Batani joined CDPQ in 2017 as Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, and was responsible for a team with a variety of expert groups, including Québec Business Outreach, International Communications and Internal Communications. His responsibilities also included building close relationships with numerous political, social and environmental stakeholders in Québec and globally.