We are proud to recognize the remarkable achievement of Catherine-Alexandra Grégoire, Ph.D., Project Portfolio Manager – Scientific Affairs at CQDM, and her H2O – Beat Boat teammates, who won bronze at the 2026 Quebec Dragon Boat Cup last Sunday.
An impressive athletic performance, certainly, but above all: a story of teamwork. At Montreal’s Olympic Basin, the mixed community team finished third out of 27 teams in the 20-person standard boat category. The podium finish capped several years of training and the pursuit of a shared ambition: to finally reach the A final and give themselves every opportunity to step onto the podium together.
The Power of the Team
“As both captain and teammate, I am extremely proud of our team and how far we have come. This achievement is the culmination of several years of training, determination and perseverance. Tremendous effort went into earning this podium finish, both on the water and throughout the off-season. Beyond the result itself, what makes me especially proud is how we achieved it: together. Each person brings their own strengths, energy and personality to the team. In dragon boat racing, performance never comes down to one individual. We have to move in sync, trust one another and pull in the same direction.” — Catherine-Alexandra
Values That Carry Over into the Workplace
The values that guide Catherine-Alexandra on the water also shape her day-to-day work at CQDM: teamwork (recognizing that collective performance surpasses individual achievement), inclusion (bringing together a mixed team of people from diverse backgrounds, ranging in age from 30 to 60), trust (knowing that every teammate gives 100% and does their very best), determination (remaining focused despite the effort required) and perseverance (learning from setbacks and coming back stronger).
In scientific project management, progress likewise relies on complementary expertise, trust among partners and the ability to stay the course in the face of complex challenges.
This bronze medal is a powerful example of what a group can achieve when it moves steadily toward a shared goal with openness and commitment. Everyone at CQDM warmly congratulates Catherine-Alexandra, her co-captain Éric Gloutney and the entire H2O – Beat Boat team on this inspiring achievement!
