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 6 - Meet creative Nina Faget, volunteer project manager for the Events Committee.

Nina Faget left her native Bordeaux just two years ago to plunge into the Quebec adventure, seduced by the effervescence of Montreal and its infinite opportunities,

It was at YULISM, an events agency specializing in business events and experience design, that Nina found her niche. In record time, she rose through the ranks from coordinator to project manager, a role that enables her to juggle strategic thinking and creativity brilliantly.

Her favorite part: imagining the best format to get the right message across.

In France, Nina was involved with Darwin, a cultural third-party committed to social integration. In Montreal, it was the Junior Chamber of commerce of Montreal that played this role: “The JCCM was my first introduction to the associative world here. I met inspiring young people and built a network that helped me better understand the dynamics of the business world.

For me, a successful project always starts with a clear intention: to understand the why. But beyond strategy, the human element remains at the heart of everything. Caring support means creating an environment where everyone feels listened to and understood. It's this combination of reflection and interpersonal skills that, in my opinion, makes the real difference.

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

Feeling legitimate. A woman is always more likely to downplay her achievements, to doubt her own worth, to wait until she has 100% of the skills before daring to take a stand. We still have this reflex of wanting to be irreproachable before taking the plunge, where others go with more confidence, even if they're not totally ready. The challenge is to reverse this dynamic and learn to move forward without self-sabotaging.

Your favorite Montreal woman-owned business?

Élise Tastet and her blog/app Tastet. Her Tastet blog was a real guide for me when I arrived in Montreal, a way of discovering the city through its good addresses and stories. But beyond that, I admire her transparency about her journey, her trial and error, her authentic approach to success.

Do you have a book or podcast to recommend?

InPower by Louise Aubery. A podcast in which Louise Aubery invites personalities with inspiring backgrounds. I love the diversity of the guests, who range from a philosopher to a TV star, and the always motivating discussions on ambition, success and the vision of work. It's a great inspiration boost, and it also allows me to discover new profiles and their backgrounds.

The best advice you've ever received?

"When you take care of others, you must also take care of yourself."

In the service and communication professions, where everything comes down to people, you give a lot - time, energy, listening. But to be able to continue accompanying others, you also need to know how to stop, take a breather and energize yourself. Taking care of yourself is not a luxury, it's a prerequisite for remaining aligned and effective over the long term.

Your favorite place to work/think in Montreal?

When it comes to work, I'm a bit old school: I love going to the office!

To be surrounded by colleagues, to talk spontaneously, to feel the energy... But when I need to recharge my batteries and find new inspiration, museums are my refuge. I've always had a strong attachment to the world of culture, having worked at Darwin, a creative third-location centre in Bordeaux, and then at the Ministry of Culture. I like to lose myself in an exhibition, to be surprised or overwhelmed by a work of art. Whatever the style, these spaces allow me to step back and feed my creativity.