Serge Godin

© Serge Godin le 10 octobre 2019, Serge Godin

Serge Godin founded CGI in 1976 and is the controlling shareholder of the company. Today, CGI is one of the largest IT and business consulting service firms in the world. Godin led CGI as the President and Chief Executive Officer from the time of its founding until 2006, when he became the Executive Chairman of the Board.

Early life

Serge Godin was born in 1949 and is a Quebec manager and computer scientist. He is the founder and executive chairman of CGI Inc. Godin comes from a family of 9 children and describes his father as an “extraordinary entrepreneur”, who gave him his first taste of wanting to go into business. He worked at his father’s sawmill when he was just 12. He studied computer science and earned a Masters of Business Administration in computer science from Quebec’s Université Laval, then worked in consulting.

In 1976, he founded the company CGI at the age of 26. Under his leadership, CGI became the fifth largest independent information technology and business consulting firm in the world. In 2000, Godin created a family foundation, the Godin Family Foundation, which helps children and adolescents.

Career

Under Godin’s leadership, CGI expanded through organic growth and over 100 acquisitions, growing from 2 employees in 1976 to more than 88,000. CGI operates in hundreds of locations, utilizing an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, high-end IT, and business consulting systems. Godin has also been involved in charitable causes. In 200, along with his family, he Established the Godin Family Foundation which has the mission of alleviating poverty, promoting education, and improving the health of children and teens in need. Since its inception, the foundation has supported more than 400 schools, hospitals, and youth organizations.

Net Worth

2.2 Billion.

Achievement

Godin is an Officer of the Order of Canada and Officer of the National Order of Quebec
In 2008, Godin was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame
In 2011, Godin was named an Honorary Associate by the Conference Board of Canada
In 2015, Godin became a lifelong member of the Horatio Alger Association
Godin has been awarded several honorary doctorate degrees, including: ÉTS (École de technologie supérieure) of Montréal, York University in Toronto, Montreal’s Concordia University, HEC (University of Montréal Business School) and Québec’s Université Laval.