The Road to Hope
Foundation for Women’s Entrepreneurship
Hermante Ayotte
Rebel, fighter, and unstoppable
President-Founder and Nurse
Industrial and Preventive Medicine Clinic of Quebec (CMIPQ)
The Road to Hope is a foundation dedicated to promoting female entrepreneurship, founded by a pioneer of boldness and resilience: Hermante Ayotte. A rebel, fighter, and unstoppable force, she embodies the quiet strength of those who carve their own path despite the obstacles.
Originally from Rivière-Verte, a small village in New Brunswick, Hermante left her home at the age of 18 to settle in Montreal and pursue her calling as a nurse. Driven by unwavering determination, she worked two jobs simultaneously before venturing into a field that was almost inaccessible to women at the time: entrepreneurship.
In 1977, when it was rare – even unimaginable – for a woman to lead a business, Hermante Ayotte founded the Industrial and Preventive Medicine Clinic of Quebec (CMIPQ), the very first clinic offering a full range of occupational health and safety services under one roof. A trained nurse with no entrepreneurial experience, she broke conventions by hiring and leading a team of doctors.
Visionary, innovative, and deeply humane, she built a thriving business by focusing on listening and empathy, qualities nurtured during her training with the nuns at the Verdun General Hospital.
Recognized as one of the first female mentors in the country by the Federal Development Bank of Canada, Hermante Ayotte has always been dedicated to giving back. For over 20 years, she has been mentoring young women entrepreneurs through a program she established herself.
A recipient of numerous awards, including Mentor of the Year 2004, awarded by the Entrepreneurship Foundation, she continues to support women in business today by offering two $50,000 grants each, aimed at exceptional female entrepreneurs from Quebec and New Brunswick. These grants are awarded in collaboration with:
- The Foundation of the New Brunswick Economic Council
- The DeGama Foundation
- The Quebec Employers' Council
The Road to Hope embodies the inspiring journey of a woman who turned obstacles into stepping stones. By supporting women who dare, innovate, and persevere, the foundation paves the way for others to make their ambitions shine.
Support, inspire, and propel women entrepreneurs of today and tomorrow.
The Road to Hope Foundation is dedicated to supporting ambitious women who dare to undertake, innovate, and transform their communities. Through grants, mentorship, and the celebration of inspiring journeys, we create a lasting momentum toward economic equality.
We believe that every woman deserves the resources to realize her full entrepreneurial potential – regardless of her background, origin, or challenges.
The grant will be awarded during the PROSPÉRITÉ Québec Gala, which will take place on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Cartier Theatre in Montreal.
The Hermante Ayotte Grant is now open for applications, with a value of $50,000.
This grant aims to support a French-speaking female entrepreneur from Quebec, who stands out not only for her entrepreneurial skills but also for her social, personal, and family involvement. It is designed to provide financial assistance to women entrepreneurs facing economic challenges in achieving their goals, rather than rewarding those who are already established in their field.
Each year, the call for applications opens in the spring. Applicants must submit a complete application package, which includes:
- The Foundation of the New Brunswick Economic Council
- The DeGama Foundation
- The Quebec Employers' Council
Deadline to submit your application:
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
