“If you’re driven by what you do and it brings you satisfaction, you’ll put in 150 per cent.”
UPDATE: Rana Ghorayeb was appointed executive vice-president and head of real estate by the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec in March 2024.
In May 2019, Rana Ghorayeb was named president and chief executive officer at Otéra Capital, a division of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ). In her previous role at CDPQ, one of Canada’s leading institutional fund managers, Ghorayeb managed a portfolio of more than $20 billion, which included projects like London’s Heathrow Airport and the port of Brisbane, Australia.
Born in Lebanon and raised in Montreal, Ghorayeb got her start in construction before setting her sights on real-estate investment. She moved to New York to pursue a Master of Finance and gained international experience both in New York and London before returning home.
Ghorayeb says working at the Caisse is her defining professional moment. “I’m investing money for Quebec and my people. This is really it; I’m having tons of fun right now.”
How Concordia set her up for success
“I stumbled into the urban planning degree for my undergrad, but it’s served me very well over the years and helps me understand how the urban fabric might evolve around an asset I’m looking to invest in. That plus the engineering, and later the finance degree, set me apart from the competition and gave me the edge I needed.”
Obstacles that affected her educational journey
“I worked full time in construction while pursuing my degree in building engineering. I had to learn to manage my time, but my work gave me practical insight that I brought to the classroom. It was more of an opportunity than a hurdle.”
Inspiring Concordia professor
“I wouldn’t be where I am today had it not been for Ted Stathopoulos. I was going to do another bachelor’s after my undergrad, but he gave me the opportunity to do my master’s instead.”
Outside the 9-5
“I’m on Concordia’s Board of Governors and the advisory committee for the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science. This really means the world to me.”
Words of wisdom
“If you don’t work hard enough, it’s because you don’t want it hard enough. If you’re driven by what you do and it brings you satisfaction, you’ll put in 150 per cent.”