Virginie Barbeau: Building her career like she trains for triathlons
Virginie Barbeau does a lot: training for running, cycling and swimming, pursuing continuing education, visiting sites, managing several projects at once. You’d need a ton of energy to keep up. Rigorous, disciplined and, above all, hungry for knowledge, this communications expert builds her career like an athlete.
In 2023, after several years as a senior communications advisor, Virginie became Sollio Agriculture’s corporate responsibility communications lead. In her own words, “The first few months were a big learning curve, but that’s just the way I like it. I have learned so much about the organization and its impact on the farming industry and society.”
At work, Virginie designs communication plans and drafts key messages. As soon as she turns off her computer, she puts on her running shoes. She sees every workout as an opportunity to learn more about her limits.
Her discipline won her several podiums in recent years, as well as qualifying her for the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 world championships. She brings her passion for triathlons everywhere, even to work, where she was captain of the Sollio Cooperative Group team during the Grand défi Pierre Lavoie 2023. The charity aspect of the event adds a human dimension that transcends the sporting challenge. The Grand défi’s mission to get kids moving is a great motivator.
“In life, as in endurance sports, there are no shortcuts. You have to invest yourself, take your time and dare to leap into the unknown.”
She also applies this philosophy to her career. For example, she recently completed The A Effect’s Ambition Challenge, a mentoring program designed to equip women and help them boost their career paths. “I’ve learned to highlight my strengths and expertise,” she explains, visibly satisfied with the program. “Now I’m more aware of how I can leverage my experience to find the best ways to achieve our goals.” Workshops during the program, as well as small-group meetings, helped her develop these skills and try out new approaches.
Curiosity as a driving force
“I’ve always liked to understand things down to the last detail,” says Virginie. “I collect all this knowledge and build my own encyclopedia, so to speak.”
That’s why, both in the office and on the street, Virginie takes an interest in the people she meets. “You never know what others can teach you. Sometimes all it takes is a short interaction to create connections and open doors to a new project.”
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