Photo credit: Maxime Côté
PRESS RELEASES
The Aléo Foundation and National Bank Invest in the Aspirations of 21 Young People
Montreal, March 19, 2026
Aléo Foundation and National Bank have been collaborating for 34 years to support student-athletes across Quebec. As a founding partner of Aléo Foundation, National Bank is once again awarding $100,000 in scholarships and services this year to 21 recipients representing 16 different sports.
In the presence of Patrick Charlebois, Senior Wealth Management Advisor and Portfolio Manager at National Bank, the recipients were welcomed at National Bank’s head office in Montreal. In addition to the scholarship cheques, each recipient receives immediate and lifelong access to the support services provided by Aléo Foundation’s team, including career guidance, mentoring, transition support, communications coaching, and much more.
Patrick Charlebois participates in the Pay It Forward program
Patrick Charlebois wore two hats at this scholarship ceremony. In addition to representing National Bank, the ultramarathon runner also chose to become an individual donor. As a result, a 22nd scholarship—donated personally by Mr. Charlebois—was awarded to Andrew Maheux-Dyer, a 16-year-old judoka, through the Pay It Forward program. This gesture serves as an inspiring example of a corporate partner who is personally convinced of the power of investing in the journeys of student-athletes.
A tradition of scholarship recipients spanning three decades
Among the more than 435 student-athletes supported by National Bank over the course of its long-standing partnership with Aléo Foundation, many have distinguished themselves on the international stage. These include Mikaël Kingsbury, five-time Olympic medallist and multiple world champion; several Olympic medallists such as Jennifer Abel, Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard, and Marianne St-Gelais; world-class tennis player Félix Auger-Aliassime; and cyclist Hugo Houle, winner of a Tour de France stage, among many others.
In their own words:
“The bond between Aléo Foundation and National Bank has been strong since the very early years of our organization. This partnership allows us to clearly see the value of these human investments by witnessing firsthand the journeys of hundreds of supported student-athletes who are now exceptional citizens contributing across all sectors of our society. We sincerely thank National Bank for its more than three decades of commitment, which makes a tangible difference in the funding of sport in Quebec and for the young people who practice it.”
- Patricia Demers, Executive Director of Aléo Foundation
“National Bank is proud to have been committed for 34 years alongside Aléo Foundation in supporting student-athletes who demonstrate remarkable discipline, perseverance, and leadership. Investing in their journey is investing in the future of Quebec. On a personal level, I wanted to take an additional step through the Pay It Forward program, as I deeply believe in the multiplying effect of solidarity and long-term support.”
- Patrick Charlebois, Senior Wealth Management Advisor and Portfolio Manager, National Bank
2026 National Bank Bursary Program Recipients
Name | Discipline | Age | Amount | City | School |
Noémie Beaulieu | Triathlon | 22 | $4,000 | Gatineau | Université Laval |
Thessalie Bruneau | BMX | 19 | $4,000 | La Tuque | Collège Laflèche |
Jean-Nicolas de Broeck | Biathlon | 20 |
$4,000 | Gatineau (Aylmer) | École de technologie supérieure |
Mirka Delaney | Tennis | 16 |
$4,000 | Beaconsfield | Collège de Montréal |
Olivier Desrosiers | Fencing | 21 |
$4,000 | Rosemère | Université de Montréal |
Emma Ducharme | Swimming | 18 |
$4,000 | Rimouski | Cégep de Rimouski |
Andréa Escobar | Artistic swimming | 17 | $4,000 |
Montréal (Le Plateau-Mont-Royal) |
Collège de Maisonneuve |
Julien Frascadore | Judo | 26 | $4,000 | Québec (Beauport) | Université Laval |
Jérôme Gauthier | Road cycling | 21 | $4,000 | Amos | Cégep de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue |
Antoine Généreux | Tennis | 17 |
$4,000 | Boischatel | Académie les Estacades |
Alisson Gobeil | Para-swimming | 21 | $4,000 | Alma | Cégep de Rosemont |
Alyssa Guerrier Calixte | Artistic gymnastics | 16 | $4,000 |
Terrebonne | École secondaire des Sources |
Volodymyr Gurenko | Tennis | 18 |
$4,000 | Montréal (Saint-Laurent) | Virtual High School |
Cloé Jelonek | Long-track speed skating | 19 | $4,000 |
Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly | Cégep Garneau |
Étienne Jolicoeur | Weightlifting | 19 | $4,000 | Lachute | Ottawa University |
Zachary Lagha | Figure skating | 26 | $4,000 |
Longueuil (Saint-Hubert) | Concordia University |
Siméon Martin | Table tennis | 20 | $4,000 | Montréal (Le Plateau-Mont-Royal) | Université TÉLUQ |
Babette Roy | Climbing | 24 |
$4,000 | Montréal (Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie) | Université du Québec à Montréal |
Darius-Sterean Tarigradschi | Waterpolo | 16 | $4,000 | Laval | École secondaire Georges-Vanier |
Ève Thibault | Tennis | 15 |
$2,000 | Candiac | Académie les Estacades |
Catherine Xie | Tennis | 16 |
$4,000 | Dorval | ICL Academy |
Pay It Forward program scholarship by Patrick Charlebois | |||||
Andrew Maheux-Dyer | Judo | 16 | $1,500 | Québec (Beauport) | École secondaire de La Seigneurie |
About National Bank of Canada
With $606 billion in
assets as at January 31, 2026, National Bank of Canada is one of Canada’s six
systemically important banks. The Bank has more than
35,000 employees in knowledge-intensive positions and operates
through three business segments in Canada: Personal and Commercial
Banking, Wealth Management and Financial Markets. A fourth segment,
U.S. Specialty Finance and International, complements the growth of
its domestic operations. Its securities are listed on the Toronto
Stock Exchange (TSX: NA). Follow the Bank’s activities at nbc.ca or via social media.
About the Aléo Foundation
The Aléo Foundation's mission
is to maximize the full potential of the greatest number of
excellent student-athletes from all walks of life, in order to
generate a significant and lasting impact. Founded in 1985, the
organization has awarded over $25 million in scholarships to more
than 5,000 student-athletes across Quebec. In addition to these
bursaries, the Foundation also provides lifelong services to all
recipients during and after their athletic and academic careers. To
support these services, the Aléo Research Chair is now a vector of
scientific results available to the entire sports community.
The Generations of Impact fundraising campaign aims to raise six million dollars over three years to bring us closer to our grand vision: that excellent student-athletes enrich society through their current and future leadership, both through their exceptional contributions and the inspiring examples they embody.
To support Generations of Impact (website in French)
For more information: fondationaleo.ca
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Information:
Annie Dubé
Communications and Marketing Director
Fondation Aléo
Alexandre Guay
Chief Advisor, Public Affairs
National Bank of Canada