Frantz Saintellemy, president and COO of Canadian autonomous driving technology company Leddartech, has been appointed to the Order of Canada.
Governor General Mary Simon named the Quebec-based technology entrepreneur as a member of the order Dec. 29, as she announced 99 new appointments and promotions within the order, which recognizes individuals who have made “extraordinary and sustained contributions” to Canada.
Rideau Hall pointed to Saintellemy’s work to advance both leading-edge electronics technologies and the country’s entrepreneurial diversity as the rationale for the appointment.
Saintellemy, who emigrated to Quebec from Haiti at age eight, founded and co-founded a series of successful start-up companies prior to joining Leddartech in 2017. In his five-plus years with the automotive technology company, he has overseen significant growth as Leddartech expanded into new offices in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
In addition to his work in the corporate realm, Saintellemy co-founded Group 3737 in 2012, a nonprofit that caters to immigrants and those from underprivileged backgrounds who are working to build businesses in Canada. Group 3737 provides support tools and mentorship for business owners from 12 locations across Canada.
Saintellemy is also the current chancellor and chair of the board of the Université de Montréal. He was appointed to a four-year term to help steer the institution’s administration and development in 2021.
