Q&A: Josée Noiseux on Joining NewCities and What It Means for Montréal

Pour la version en Français cliquez ici

Q&A with Josée Noiseux, General Manager for Advancement and Partnerships, NewCities

NewCities: You have had a long career working as a lawyer before turning your attention to writing and philanthropy and most recently, joining NewCities. What attracted you to NewCities?

Josée Noiseux: Urbanization is on the rise in a majority of countries around the world. I am a strong believer that cities will be the cornerstone of sustainable human and economic development for the foreseeable future. More than ever, cities are facing great challenges ranging from hyper-growth, to massive tech-driven transformation, to making more effective use of non-renewable energy sources. Personally, I am very inspired by NewCities’ mission to help cities rethink how they function through innovation and entrepreneurship to shape a better urban future.

I’m excited to be joining a team that is seeking to lead this very important conversation, by bringing together the world’s best experts, entrepreneurs and innovators to find solutions for the concrete and pressing challenges cities face.

NCF: NewCities moved its headquarters to Montréal earlier this year. What makes Montréal such an appropriate home for NewCities?

JN: The timing to move NewCities to Montréal couldn’t possibly be better. Montréal is fertile ground for creativity and entrepreneurship, and City Hall is fully behind its innovation community. Our city is committed to creating a rich ecosystem where industry, higher education and institutional partners come together to drive human development and prosperity.

It’s also a significant moment for Montréal. If we look back at the city’s history, the 1960s were an era that shaped the city in many important ways. The golden age for the city was arguably before Expo ’67, when the metro was opened, Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec was founded, highways were built and universities were established. I think we are experiencing another watershed moment. As we head towards the city’s 375th anniversary, it really feels like Montréal is being redefined once again. There are major infrastructure projects, such as rebuilding the Champlain Bridge and the Caisse’s ambitious plans for a light rail commuter train system. Entrepreneurs and innovators are reshaping our city. Institutional partners such as Notman House and the city’s Ville Intelligente team are supporting the urban tech sector, while Je fais Montréal supports the city’s tech startup scene, creating a dynamic ecosystem for innovators.

NCF: In your opinion, what role can NewCities play in helping Montréal?

JN: NewCities will bring some of the world’s most influential innovators to Montréal. It will help the city’s changemakers take advantage of the best and biggest ideas about urban development today, and it will help Montréal export its knowledge to other cities around the globe.

NCF: The New Cities Summit on The Age of Urban Tech will be hosted in Montréal in June. What will that mean for Montréal and Montréalers?

JN: It is a wonderful chance for the city of Montréal to be introduced to the leading ideas about urban development and urban technology. The Summit’s format, connecting the private sector to experts from the public sector and academia, is truly unique. It’s a great opportunity to share knowledge and research with policymakers, CEOs, mayors and decisionmakers. For our partners and sponsors, it will also give them a seat at the table for leading edge initiatives about urban development.

I think NewCities’ Global Urban Innovators will be of particular interest to Montrealers. Local stakeholders will have a unique opportunity to forge new relationships with thought leaders and market makers from around the world.

Most importantly, the Summit will give Montréal a voice in the global conversation focused on finding solutions for cities’ challenges through urban innovation and entrepreneurship to become a global leader in this domain.