Guillaume Côté

Guillaume Côté, PhD has been President and CEO of the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec (CRIAQ) since April 1, 2024.

Previously at Collins Aerospace, he was responsible for developing global strategy for a business division with more than 10,000 employees. Among his achievements were Collins’ strategy for the modernization of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and his leadership on advanced technologies strategy workshops.

He was also Vice-President of Technology and Innovation for the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC). There, he led an extensive national consultation leading to the drafting of the Aerospace Innovation White Paper in 2016.

Prior to this, Guillaume worked ten years in the federal public service as a senior advisor and manager in the aerospace, defence, energy, and infrastructure sectors, as well as in regional economic development. He also led the renewal of Canada’s bilateral science, technology and innovation action plans with France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union.

In 2009, Guillaume was one of two Canadians selected for the European Union Visitors Program. To this day, he remains actively involved in the National Institute of Scientific Research community and contributes to several industry associations, networks and think tanks.

Guillaume is an expert in innovation ecosystems. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Université Laval, including a year exchange at the University of Lausanne. His academic background includes an M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in Urban Studies from the National Institute of Scientific Research, as well as a French doctorate in Geography and Planning.