Actuality¹⁷³

Portrait de Maria-Christina Sorbo-Mayrand

HIRING, TRAINING AND RETENTION OF TALENTS

Par

Marie Pelletier

JCCM - Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal

Gestionnaire de projet bénévole du comité marketing et création de contenu

As part of our March Portraits series, the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Montreal is highlighting committed women who actively contribute to the vitality and influence of our community.

Portrait – Maria-Christina Sorbo-Mayrand, a lawyer who combines strategic rigor with community involvement.

A member of the Quebec and Ontario Bar Associations, Maria-Christina is a litigation lawyer with the national law firm Miller Thomson. Her practice focuses primarily on insurance law and transportation law. In her work, she assists clients with risk management and complex dispute resolution, favoring a strategic approach geared toward concrete solutions.

In addition to her legal practice, she is actively involved with the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Montreal (JCCM) as a volunteer on the ideation and programming committee, where she contributes to the development of initiatives that promote exchange and reflection within the community.

Making a real impact

What deeply motivates Maria-Christina in her work and her commitment is the opportunity to make a tangible impact.

In her practice, she assists her clients with sometimes complex cases, where rigorous analysis and strategic thinking lead to concrete solutions. At the JCCM, her involvement allows her to participate in a community of inspiring young professionals, foster enriching exchanges of ideas, and actively contribute to the development of her community.

The diversity of challenges presented by both her profession and her commitments is a significant source of motivation for her.

Inspiring female role models

Several women have had a significant impact on her career and continue to influence her professional development.

She particularly highlights the influence of her mother, a businesswoman who instilled in her the values of rigor, integrity, and perseverance, which continue to guide her choices, both personally and professionally.

Throughout her education and career, Maria-Christina has also had the opportunity to work with inspiring mentors whose leadership and commitment have contributed to her development in a demanding environment.

Creating spaces for connection and creativity

Among the Montreal entrepreneurs she admires, Maria-Christina mentions Zoe Dedes, founder of Canvas Club.

Through this Montreal-based company, Zoe Dedes has created accessible spaces where art becomes a vehicle for creativity, well-being, and connection. Maria-Christina particularly admires her ability to bring a community together in a relaxed setting that fosters authentic exchanges.

A message to young professional women

Maria-Christina has one simple piece of advice for young professional women in Montreal: stay curious and don't hesitate to seize opportunities that come your way, even when they take you out of your comfort zone.

Challenges are part of any career path, but they are also opportunities to surpass oneself. By stepping outside her comfort zone, she learned that she was often capable of much more than she initially imagined, even in situations that might seem intimidating.

Solidarity as a driver of progress

According to Maria-Christina, one of the main challenges for women today is not a question of ability, but rather of access to opportunities and networks.

She emphasizes that when women support each other, recommend each other, and give each other visibility, they not only help advance their own careers, but also transform the professional environments in which they work.

Building a career path that reflects who you are

Maria-Christina says she is particularly proud of having built a career that reflects who she is, remaining true to her values while continuing to learn at every stage of her journey.

A piece of advice she received early in her career continues to guide her professional trajectory:

“Excellence is the only true key to success, and the efforts made to achieve it are always rewarded.”

Grounding yourself in everyday life

To stay balanced in her daily life, Maria-Christina relies on habits that help her maintain her equilibrium, including Pilates and hot yoga.

When she wants to work, reflect, or simply recharge her batteries, she can often be found in the cafés on Fleury Street in the Ahuntsic neighborhood, whose friendly atmosphere provides the ideal setting for concentrating or taking a moment for herself.

Among her cultural recommendations, she suggests The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, a book that encourages readers to follow their path and believe in themselves.

Connect with Maria-Christina!