Actuality¹⁴⁹

As part of International Women's Rights Day, the Junior Chamber of commerce of Montreal is highlighting inspiring stories in a series of 8 portraits of women (or self-identified women) who volunteer on our various committees.

Portrait 7 - Meet the energizing Monia Hocine, volunteer co-director of the Strategy and Innovation Committee.

At the age of 34, Monia Hocine swapped the sunny landscapes of the south of France for the hustle and bustle of Quebec eight years ago, turning this leap into an opportunity for professional advancement.

Today, as Strategic Partnerships Account Manager at the prestigious Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada, Monia navigates this exciting world with brio. Her unique expertise has been forged at the crossroads of consulting and events, enabling her to develop a multi-faceted expertise in strategic partnership management.

This remarkable trajectory across two continents bears witness to her ability to turn challenges into opportunities, and to make her mark in a sector that is as competitive as it is exciting. At the heart of the roar of engines and international partnerships, Monia now orchestrates the strategic alliances that bring one of Canada's most prestigious sporting events to life.

At the same time, she is passionately committed to the strategy and innovation committee of the Junior Chamber of commerce of Montreal as volunteer co-director. Known for her keen sense of organization and contagious energy, Monia excels at managing strategic files and creating a work atmosphere that's both productive and friendly. Her ability to combine efficiency with pleasure, coupled with her infectious enthusiasm, makes her a particularly valued member of the committee.

What do you see as the greatest challenge for women in 2025?

I don't think my answer is specific to 2025, but rather corresponds to a dynamic that has persisted for a long time, which is the constant need to prove one's legitimacy.

Too often, as women, we think we always have to do more to be taken seriously, to justify our place, to have our value recognized. What has marked me over time is this invisible pressure that weighs on us, urging us to outperform, to never slacken our efforts, or risk being relegated to the background. It's an enormous mental burden, often unconscious, but very real.

Yet the key is not to do more. The key is certainly in collective awareness, but above all in individual awareness, in accepting that our value does not depend on a constant demonstration of our abilities.

I've met many women who, like me, have gone through periods of self-questioning. What I've learned is that introspection and letting go can free you from an enormous weight. And once that weight has been lifted, you realize that you already belong. All that remained was to occupy it fully, without justification.

Your secret ritual for staying focused?

My ritual, which isn't exactly a secret to those around me, is a session of loud music in my AirPods, and off I go! Thanks to the pop and RnB music of the 90s and 2000s!

One of your character traits that has helped you and one that has challenged you?

The character trait that has helped me the most is probably my quiet strength. Being able to navigate between reflection and action without rushing, knowing how to wait for the right moment, observe before acting and move forward with intention. And the trait that “challenged” me the most was my demands on myself, which ties in with the point I made about the constant questioning that women can have of themselves.

Always aiming higher is a strength, but it can also be a trap when you're constantly putting yourself under pressure.

I had to learn to trust in time and accept that not everything will be perfect right away. It's a bit of a balancing act between being demanding and letting go.

The best advice you've ever received?

One of the best pieces of advice I've received recently comes from my mentor: trust time and my own pace. Not everything needs to be rushed, and no matter how fast I go, my journey is just as legitimate as any other! She also told me that my instinct is a real compass and that I have to accept that everything will fall into place at the right time, without forcing things.

If you could have one superpower at work, what would it be?

As a fan, I'm obliged to make a link with the Marvel universe! If I had a superpower at work, it would be a mix between Doctor Strange and Iron Man. Having the ability to play with time, not to rewrite the past, but to optimize the present and anticipate the future. To be able to slow down a key moment, analyze every detail and always stay one step ahead. Add to this Tony Stark's efficiency and adaptability: always ready, able to adjust at the right moment. And always pushing limits and anticipating challenges!

But only at work. Because in everyday life, it's less fun to constantly analyze and anticipate everything.