In 2026, Kenova celebrates two decades of expertise in specialized recruitment for finance and accounting. Twenty years spent supporting Montreal employers in their most strategic hiring decisions, and a pivotal moment for the firm, which welcomes a new leadership team and launches its first technology division.
We sat down with Marie-Ève Cloutier, President and CEO since the firm’s beginnings, to look back on Kenova’s journey and ahead to what’s next.
The market has changed, and so has the recruiter’s role
What has shifted most over 20 years in employers’ expectations toward a finance recruitment firm, according to Marie-Ève, is the level of uncertainty her clients face.
“Twenty years ago, we were asked to find someone competent, quickly. The need was clear, the market was predictable and our role was relatively well defined,” she recalls. “Today, it’s a different reality. Organizations navigate an increasingly complex environment, with shifting priorities, evolving structures and roles that sometimes transform before they’re even properly defined.”
What employers seek today goes well beyond a CV. They want clarity and security in their decisions, often in situations with more grey zones than people realize. “Not just a good candidate, but someone they can trust to help them see clearly, challenge their need and secure a decision that will have real impact.”
The financial functions themselves have transformed deeply. The profiles being sought now integrate a much stronger technological, analytical and strategic component. “These are transformation leaders as much as technical experts,” Marie-Ève sums up.
And this complexity has enriched Kenova’s role. “We often step in very early, sometimes before the need is even fully defined. That’s precisely where, in this zone of uncertainty, our value takes on its full meaning.”
The pride of 20 years: trust
When asked about her greatest source of pride after two decades, Marie-Ève’s answer isn’t about numbers or growth. She talks about trust.
“What I’m most proud of is the trust-based relationship we’ve built with our clients over time.”
She tells the story of a client she has been supporting for more than 12 years. At first, the relationship revolved around finance recruitment mandates. Then, over the years, it evolved into something much broader. “Today, he calls me as much to discuss his recruitment needs as to think through his decisions. Whether it’s about structuring his team, repositioning certain roles or navigating more sensitive internal dynamics.”
She is even consulted ahead of major changes within that client’s organization, before they’re officially announced. “That’s when I realize just how far our role can go beyond simple recruitment.”
Marie-Ève’s other source of pride: Kenova’s growth has come largely through referrals. “Clients who refer us, candidates who speak about us, that’s how our reputation has been built, and it’s the most honest signal that we’re doing things right.”
“In the end, the real marker of success after 20 years isn’t only the number of mandates completed, and we’ve completed many. It’s the fact that people trust us for conversations they don’t have anywhere else.”
A new leadership team for a new chapter
This 20th anniversary coincides with a major transformation within Kenova’s leadership team: a new guard that embodies both the firm’s continuity and its ambition.
Davyna Gatoux, who joined the team in April 2018, has become Partner and VP of the firm alongside Marie-Ève and Luc Vincent. Her journey is itself a testament to Kenova’s culture: she started as a researcher and climbed every rung, from recruiter to recruitment director to VP of recruitment, before reaching the title of partner. Eight years of continuous progression within the same firm, in an industry where turnover is notorious.
Claudia Aguilar, CPA, returned to Kenova as VP of Business Development in late 2025. Returned, because Claudia already knew the house: she had worked there back when the firm was still called Kérosène. In between, she built a remarkable career: a HEC Montréal graduate, she held the position of Director of Talent Intelligence at the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and served as co-president of the Young Professionals in Mergers and Acquisitions at the M&A Club. Her network within Montreal’s financial industry is substantial, and her impact has been immediate. Since her return, around ten finance mandates have been entrusted to Kenova.
Maxime Alexandre takes the helm of the brand-new IT division as General Manager, IT Recruitment. A seasoned professional with more than 15 years of experience within the technology ecosystem, Maxime has supported ambitious SMEs as well as large organizations in hiring key talent in software development, infrastructure, cybersecurity and data. His arrival is part of the acquisition of expertise from the firm Elitik, which brings six years of specific experience in the technology sector and around ten active clients. The division now covers artificial intelligence, digital health, digital transformation and financial technologies (FinTech): a natural synergy with Kenova’s historical expertise in finance.
What stands out about this new leadership is that it’s driven by women in key decision-making roles: Marie-Ève, Davyna and Claudia together steer the strategy, operations and business development of the firm. In a financial industry still largely male-dominated, that’s no small detail: it’s a leadership statement.
The IT division: a continuity, not a shift
After 20 years of specialization in finance, Kenova launched a division dedicated to technology recruitment in March 2026. But for Marie-Ève, this isn’t a change of course, it’s a response to what she has been observing in the field for years.
“Today, our clients are no longer looking only for solid finance managers: they’re looking for transformation leaders. Profiles capable of integrating technology, improving processes, mobilizing teams and supporting change.”
The convergence between finance and technology has become a daily reality. “In many organizations, we see CFOs or finance directors overseeing not only accounting and finance, but also systems, data, and sometimes even the IT or administrative teams.”
The expansion was organic. Kenova’s clients were already asking for support on these issues, and the team had the skills to respond, whether in fintech, cybersecurity or artificial intelligence.
“The launch of the IT division isn’t a shift, it’s a continuity,” Marie-Ève states. “We remain true to our DNA: understanding business challenges and supporting our clients in strategic recruitment, regardless of the department.”
What brings clients back
When asked why an employer comes back to Kenova mandate after mandate, Marie-Ève’s answer is direct: because they received more than what they expected.
Most clients arrive with a precise idea of what they’re looking for. Kenova’s role is to understand what they really need, and those aren’t always the same thing. “We challenge the profile, we question the criteria, we help distinguish what’s essential from what’s less so. That’s often where the value starts.”
The team uses behavioural assessment tools such as DISC to look beyond the CV. “Understanding how a person makes decisions, handles pressure or fits into a team dynamic often reveals potential that wasn’t obvious at first. More than once, we’ve helped reshape a decision, and those placements are often among the strongest.”
The support doesn’t end at the signature. Kenova follows the integration during the first 90 days, a period Marie-Ève considers decisive. “It’s no coincidence that our senior placements show a high retention rate. It’s the result of a rigorous process, from the start through well beyond the signature.”
And beyond mandates, something more lasting is being built. “What clients talk about most is the level of information and perspective we bring. Not just profiles: a reading of the market, frank advice, tools to decide with confidence.”
“We have a rigorous methodology, but we’re not rigid. Every mandate is different, and it’s our ability to adapt our approach to what’s in front of us that often makes all the difference.”
In 5 years: the firm you call when it really matters
Marie-Ève doesn’t hesitate when asked to project Kenova five years out.
“In 5 years, Kenova will be the firm you call when the decision really matters. Not the one you contact to fill a position quickly, but the one you turn to when you know the next hire will have a real impact on the direction of the organization.”
The job market is undergoing major transformation. Some roles are disappearing, others are emerging, and Kenova wants to support its clients even further upstream. “Not only in recruitment, but in how they structure their teams, anticipate their needs and make decisions in a more complex environment.”
Potential assessment sits at the heart of this vision. “Today, we assess skills. Tomorrow, we want to be even better at assessing adaptability, growth potential and how a person will evolve in a context that keeps changing. That’s where real long-term success is decided.”
More broadly, Marie-Ève wants Kenova to have a concrete impact on the Quebec economy, by helping local businesses surround themselves with the right people and position themselves advantageously in a context of talent scarcity. “It comes through the development of local talent, by giving them reasons to stay, to thrive and to contribute fully to our economy. And it also comes, when necessary, through openness to international talent, to bring in complementary expertise that strengthens our organizations.”
“If in 5 years we’re recognized as the partner you call when it matters, for companies as well as for individuals, and we’ve contributed to creating matches where people can truly thrive and organizations grow fully, we’ll be exactly where we want to be. That, in the end, is what we’re made for.”
Kenova celebrates 20 years of human-centered recruitment in finance, accounting and now technology. Looking for your next leader? Let’s talk.
