Guillaume Côté is CEO of the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec (CRIAQ) since April 1st, 2024. Previously at Collins Aerospace, he was responsible for developing strategy for a defence business line. Among his achievements were Collins’ strategy for North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) modernization and his leadership on advanced technologies strategy workshops. He also served as Vice-President of Technology and Innovation for the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC). There, he led an extensive national consultation leading to the drafting of the Aerospace Innovation White Paper in 2016. Prior to this, Guillaume worked ten years in the federal public service as a senior advisor and manager in the aerospace, defence, energy, and infrastructure sectors, as well as in regional economic development. He also led the renewal of Canada’s bilateral science, technology and innovation action plans with France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union. In 2009, Guillaume was one of two Canadians selected for the European Union Visitors Program. To this day, he remains actively involved in the INRS community and contributes to several industry associations, networks and think tanks. Guillaume is an expert in innovation ecosystems.

He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Université Laval, including a year exchange at the University of Lausanne. His academic background includes a M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in Urban Studies from INRS, as well as a French doctorate in Geography and Planning.