Interview with Joey Berdugo-Adler (Excerpt of Introduction)

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Here I am at a cocktail, telling you to about a gala. Hmmm… I feel maybe I’m selling the Segal Centre a little short and overlooking what this place is really about. There’s no denying the Centre is host to some of Montreal’s hottest social happenings. But it’s so much more than that.

Can I get personal with you for a minute?

I first became acquainted with the Segal Centre about three years ago through my position as director of cultural affairs at the Consulate General of Israel. I was invited to attend a few shows and events at the Segal. Now I should mention that through my job, I have the privilege of attending many shows and events and becoming intimately familiar with cultural hubs around the world; as well as the personalities behind them. It takes more than a catchy song and dance to wow me.

The Segal Centre particularly caught my attention through its diverse and very high-quality programming. But it was the Centre’s dedication to our city and to our global community that captured my heart. Each program, class, show, cocktail and gala is infused with meaning and created for maximum impact- be it to give children the opportunity to dream and create; to empower young professionals to lead, or to put tradition in the spotlight.

When I first joined the Young Leaders executive board, I knew this was my opportunity to be part of something big, that was only going to get bigger. I’ve marveled at the impact the Segal has had on Montreal’s cultural landscape and I can only dream of what lies ahead. It is my privilege, but also my responsibility to contribute to the growth of this institution- and I hope you will join me on this journey. It’s thanks to your support and the support of our many generous sponsors that the stars at the Segal can shine.

Now, it is with great excitement that I present to you a woman who has impacted the fashion industry and the world. She is a leader in every sense of the term, a passionate philanthropist, a humanitarian, a bold businessperson, a city councilor and the list goes on. She is a board member of the Hope and Cope Wellness Centre and her family is one of the main benefactors of the institution. In 2011, she was named among the top 100 most powerful women in Canada. Joey Berdugo-Adler is the president and CEO of Diesel Canada and the founder of the ONEXONE Foundation. She currently lives with her family in Montreal; and we are very lucky to have her here with us tonight. Please join me in giving her a very warm welcome. (Interview follows.)