Honorary degree citation - Lise Watier
By: Kathleen Boies, June 2017
Mr. Chancellor, it is my honour to present to you Ms. Lise Watier, a trailblazing business woman and world–renowned name in cosmetics.
A local success story, Lise Watier founded her cosmetics company over 40 years ago in 1972.
The company has since stayed at the forefront of the latest in cosmestics research.
Ms. Watier is known for using innovative ingredients in her products.
In fact, she was among the first to proclaim the benefits of aloe vera and has used such innovative ingredients as cottonseed peptides, blue lotus extract and Labrador tea.
En tant que dirigeante, Mme Watier s’est toujours entourée d’experts, et certains employés de Lise Watier Cosmetiques travaillent pour l’entreprise depuis plus de 30 ans.
Leur attachement indéfectible témoigne du leadership de Mme Watier et de la culture d’entreprise qu’elle a su établir.
In 2013, Ms. Watier stepped down as head of Lise Watier Cosmetics after 40 years.
She has since devoted herself to fundraising efforts on behalf of the Lise Watier Foundation.
With the help of her business contacts built over the years, Ms. Watier established the foundation in 2009 to help women become the architects of their future through fundraising and the sale of Lise Watier feature products.
The company's first corporate initiative was to donate 100% of the revenues generated by the sale of ROSE TENDRESSE lipstick and SPARKLE OF HOPE GLOSS to the foundation.
Since April 2010, this intiative has resulted in over $1 million being remitted to the Lise Watier Foundation to support organizations that assist girls and women in need, helping them to overcome poverty, become financially independent, and escape domestic violence.
Mme Watier continue de remporter de nombreux prix et récompenses, tant pour ses réussites en affaires que pour ses contributions à la communauté.
In 2015, she received the Insignia of Grand Officer, the highest Distinction of the Ordre National du Quebec, and was named a member of the Order of Canada in 2012.
Mr. Chancellor, on behalf of Senate and the Board of Governors, it is my privilege and honour to present to you Ms. Lise Watier, so that you may confer upon her the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
