Montreal, March 19, 2026 – The Aléo Foundation and National Bank have been a team for 34 years to support student-athletes in Quebec. As a builder partner of the Aléo Foundation, National Bank is once again awarding $100,000 $ in scholarships and services this year to 21 recipients from 16 different sports.
In the presence of Patrick Charlebois, senior wealth management advisor and portfolio manager at National Bank, the recipients were welcomed at the National Bank's head office in Montreal. In addition to the cheques presented, each recipient gains immediate and lifelong access to the support services provided by the Aléo Foundation team, including orientation, mentoring, career transition support, communication advice, and much more.
Patrick Charlebois is participating in the program. Give to the following
Patrick Charlebois wore two hats at this scholarship awards ceremony. In addition to representing National Bank, the ultra-marathoner also chose to become an individual donor. A 22e so the scholarship was added, by Mr. Charlebois, to Andrew Maheux-Dyer, a 16-year-old judoka, through the program Give to the following. This is an inspiring example of a corporate partner personally convinced of the strength of investing in the journey of student-athletes.
A scholar tradition across 3 decades
Among more than 435 student-athletes supported by National Bank through its long-standing partnership with the Aléo Foundation, several have particularly distinguished themselves on the international stage, notably Mikaël Kingsbury, five-time Olympic medalist and multiple world champion, several Olympic medalists, including Jennifer Abel, Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard and Marianne St-Gelais, The great tennis player Félix Auger-Aliassime, the cyclist, a winner of a Tour de France stage among other things Hugo Houle and many more.
In their own words:
«The link between the Aléo Foundation and National Bank has been strong since the early years of our existence. This allows us to tangibly see the value of these human investments by directly witnessing the journeys of hundreds of supported student-athletes who are now exceptional citizens working in all spheres of our society. We would like to thank National Bank for this commitment of over three decades, which makes a tangible difference in the funding of sports in Quebec and for the young people who practice them.»
– Patricia Demers, Executive Director of the Aléo Foundation
«The National Bank is pleased to have been partnering with the Aléo Foundation for 34 years to support student-athletes who demonstrate remarkable discipline, perseverance, and leadership. Investing in their journey is investing in Quebec's future. Personally, I wanted to go a step further through the program Give to the following, because I deeply believe in the multiplier effect of solidarity and long-term support.»
– Patrick Charlebois, Senior Wealth Management Advisor and Portfolio Manager, National Bank
National Bank Scholarship Program Recipients 2026
| Name | Discipline | Age | Amount | City | School |
| Noémie Beaulieu | Triathlon | 22 | 4000 $ | Gatineau | Laval University |
| Lesley Bruneau | BMX | 19 | 4000 $ | La Tuque | Laflèche College |
| Jean-Nicolas de Broeck | Biathlon | 20 | 4000 $ | Gatineau (Aylmer) | School of Technology |
| Mirka Delaney | Tennis | 16 | 4000 $ | Beaconsfield | College of Montreal |
| Olivier Desrosiers | Fencing | 21 | 4000 $ | Rosemère | University of Montreal |
| Emma Ducharme | Swimming | 18 | 4000 $ | Rimouski | Cégep de Rimouski |
| Andréa Escobar | Artistic swimming | 17 | 4000 $ | Montreal (Le Plateau-Mont-Royal) | Collège de Maisonneuve |
| Julien Frascadore | Judo | 26 | 4000 $ | Quebec (Beauport) | Laval University |
| Jérôme Gauthier | Road cycling | 21 | 4000 $ | Amos | Abitibi-Témiscamingue College |
| Antoine Generous | Tennis | 17 | 4000 $ | Boischatel | Les Estacades Academy |
| Alisson Gobeil | Paranatation | 21 | 4000 $ | Soul | Rosemont College |
| Alyssa Guerrier Calixte | Artistic gymnastics | 16 | 4000 $ | Terrebonne | Sources High School |
| Volodymyr Gurenko | Tennis | 18 | 4000 $ | Montréal (Saint-Laurent) | Virtual High School |
| Cloé Jelonek | Long track speed skating | 19 | 4000 $ | Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly | Garneau College |
| Étienne Jolicoeur | Weightlifting | 19 | 4000 $ | Lachute | University of Ottawa |
| Zachary Lagha | Figure skating | 26 | 4000 $ | Longueuil (Saint-Hubert) | Concordia University |
| Simeon Martin | Table tennis | 20 | 4000 $ | Montreal (Le Plateau-Mont-Royal) | TÉLUQ University |
| Babette Roy | Escalade | 24 | 4000 $ | Montreal (Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie) | University of Quebec at Montreal |
| Darius-Sterean Tarigradschi | Water polo | 16 | 4000 $ | Laval | Georges-Vanier Secondary School |
| Eve Thibault | Tennis | 15 | 2000 $ | Candiac | Les Estacades Academy |
| Catherine Xie | Tennis | 16 | 4000 $ | Dorval | ICL Academy |
| Give It Forward Program Scholarship offered by Patrick Charlebois | |||||
| Andrew Maheux-Dyer | Judo | 16 | 1500 $ | Quebec (Beauport) | La Seigneurie Secondary School |
About the National Bank of Canada
With an asset base of $606 billion as of January 31, 2026, the National Bank of Canada is one of Canada's six systemically important banks. The Bank has over 35,000 employees in high knowledge content roles and operates in three sectors in Canada: Personal and Business, Wealth Management, and Capital Markets. A fourth sector, U.S. and International Specialty Finance, complements the growth of domestic activities. Its shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA). Follow its activities on bnc.ca or through social media.
About the Aléo Foundation
The Aléo Foundation's mission is to maximize the full potential of as many outstanding student-athletes as possible from all backgrounds, in order to generate significant and lasting impact. Created in 1985, it has awarded over $25 million in scholarships to more than 5,000 student-athletes from across Quebec. In addition to these scholarships, there is an essential component of services provided for life to all recipients during and after their athletic and academic careers. To support these mentoring services, the Aléo Research Chairis now a vector for scientific results available to the entire sports community here.
The fundraising campaign Generations of Impact Its goal is to raise six million dollars in three years to move closer to our great vision: that student-athletes of excellence enrich society through their current and future leadership, both through their exceptional contributions and the inspiring examples they embody.
To support Generations of Impact
For more information: fondationaleo.ca
LinkedIn Facebook Instagram YouTube Spotify
– 30 –
Annie Dubé
Director of Communications and Marketing
Aléo Foundation
438 884-6626
Alexandre Guay
Senior Advisor, Public Affairs
National Bank of Canada
514-412-5125
Aléo Foundation and National Bank Program: A lasting commitment to the young people shaping tomorrow
Montreal, March 19, 2026 – Aléo Foundation and National Bank have been collaborating for 34 years to support student-athletes across Quebec. As a founding partner of Aléo Foundation, National Bank is once again awarding $$100,000 in scholarships and services this year to 21 recipients representing 16 different sports.
In the presence of Patrick Charlebois, Senior Wealth Management Advisor and Portfolio Manager at National Bank, the recipients were welcomed at National Bank’s head office in Montreal. In addition to the scholarship cheques, each recipient receives immediate and lifelong access to the support services provided by the Aléo Foundation’s team, including career guidance, mentoring, transition support, communications coaching, and much more.
Patrick Charlebois participates in the Pay It Forward program
Patrick Charlebois wore two hats at this scholarship ceremony. In addition to representing National Bank, the ultramarathon runner also chose to become an individual donor. As a result, a $22,000 donation was made to the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles scholarship fund.and scholarship—personally donated by Mr. Charlebois—was awarded to Andrew Maheux-Dyer, a 16-year-old judoka, through the Pay It Forward program. This gesture serves as an inspiring example of a corporate partner who is personally convinced of the power of investing in the journeys of student-athletes.
A tradition of scholarship recipients spanning three decades
Among the more than 435 student-athletes supported by National Bank through its long-standing partnership with the Aléo Foundation, many have distinguished themselves on the international stage. These include Mikaël Kingsbury, five-time Olympic medalist and multiple world champion; several Olympic medalists such as Jennifer Abel, Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard, and Marianne St-Gelais; world-class tennis player Félix Auger-Aliassime; and cyclist Hugo Houle, winner of a Tour de France stage, among many others.
In their own words:
“The bond between the Aléo Foundation and National Bank has been strong since the very early years of our organization. This partnership allows us to clearly see the value of these human investments by witnessing firsthand the journeys of hundreds of supported student-athletes who are now exceptional citizens contributing across all sectors of our society. We sincerely thank National Bank for its more than three decades of commitment, which makes a tangible difference in the funding of sport in Quebec and for the young people who practice it.”
– Patricia Demers, Executive Director of Aléo Foundation
“National Bank is proud to have been committed for 34 years alongside Aléo Foundation in supporting student-athletes who demonstrate remarkable discipline, perseverance, and leadership. Investing in their journey is investing in the future of Quebec. On a personal level, I wanted to take an additional step through the Pay It Forward program, as I deeply believe in the multiplying effect of solidarity and long-term support.”
– Patrick Charlebois, Senior Wealth Management Advisor and Portfolio Manager, National Bank
2026 National Bank Bursary Program Recipients
| Name | Discipline | Age | Amount | City | School |
| Noémie Beaulieu | Triathlon | 22 | $4,000 | Gatineau | Laval University |
| Lesley Bruneau | BMX | 19 | $4,000 | La Tuque | Laflèche College |
| Jean-Nicolas de Broeck | Biathlon | 20 | $4,000 | Gatineau (Aylmer) | School of Technology |
| Mirka Delaney | Tennis | 16 | $4,000 | Beaconsfield | College of Montreal |
| Olivier Desrosiers | Fencing | 21 | $4,000 | Rosemère | University of Montreal |
| Emma Ducharme | Swimming | 18 | $4,000 | Rimouski | Cégep de Rimouski |
| Andréa Escobar | Artistic swimming | 17 | $4,000 | Montreal (Le Plateau-Mont-Royal) | Collège de Maisonneuve |
| Julien Frascadore | Judo | 26 | $4,000 | Quebec (Beauport) | Laval University |
| Jérôme Gauthier | Road cycling | 21 | $4,000 | Amos | Abitibi-Témiscamingue College |
| Antoine Generous | Tennis | 17 | $4,000 | Boischatel | Les Estacades Academy |
| Alisson Gobeil | Para-swimming | 21 | $4,000 | Soul | Rosemont College |
| Alyssa Guerrier Calixte | Artistic gymnastics | 16 | $4,000 | Terrebonne | Sources High School |
| Volodymyr Gurenko | Tennis | 18 | $4,000 | Montréal (Saint-Laurent) | Virtual High School |
| Cloé Jelonek | Long track speed skating | 19 | $4,000 | Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly | Garneau College |
| Étienne Jolicoeur | Weightlifting | 19 | $4,000 | Lachute | Ottawa University |
| Zachary Lagha | Figure skating | 26 | $4,000 | Longueuil (Saint-Hubert) | Concordia University |
| Simeon Martin | Table tennis | 20 | $4,000 | Montreal (Le Plateau-Mont-Royal) | TÉLUQ University |
| Babette Roy | Climbing | 24 | $4,000 | Montreal (Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie) | University of Quebec at Montreal |
| Darius-Sterean Tarigradschi | Water polo | 16 | $4,000 | Laval | Georges-Vanier Secondary School |
| Eve Thibault | Tennis | 15 | $2,000 | Candiac | Les Estacades Academy |
| Catherine Xie | Tennis | 16 | $4,000 | Dorval | ICL Academy |
| Pay It Forward Scholarship program by Patrick Charlebois | |||||
| Andrew Maheux-Dyer | Judo | 16 | $1,500 | Quebec (Beauport) | La Seigneurie Secondary School |
The National Bank of Canada is a financial institution that offers a wide range of banking and financial services to individuals, businesses, and institutions. It is one of Canada's largest banks and has a significant presence across the country.
With $$606 billion in assets as at January 31, 2026, National Bank of Canada is one of Canada’s six systemically important banks. The Bank has more than 35,000 employees in knowledge-intensive positions and operates through three business segments in Canada: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management, and Financial Markets. A fourth segment, U.S. Specialty Finance and International, complements the growth of its domestic operations. Its securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA). Follow the Bank’s activities at nbc.ca or via social media.
About the Aléo Foundation
The Aléo Foundation’s mission is to maximize the full potential of the greatest number of excellent student-athletes from all walks of life, in order to generate a significant and lasting impact. Founded in 1985, the organization has awarded over $$25 million in scholarships to more than 5,000 student-athletes across Quebec. In addition to these bursaries, the Foundation also provides lifelong services to all recipients during and after their athletic and academic careers. To support these services, the Aléo Research Chair is now a vector of scientific results available to the entire sports community.
The Generations of Impact The fundraising campaign aims to raise six million dollars over three years to bring us closer to our grand vision: that excellent student-athletes enrich society through their current and future leadership, both through their exceptional contributions and the inspiring examples they embody.
To support Generations of Impact
For more information: fondationaleo.ca
LinkedIn Facebook Instagram YouTube Spotify
– 30 –
Annie Dubé
Director of Communications and Marketing
Aleo Foundation
438 884-6626
Alexandre Guay
Chief Advisor, Public Affairs
National Bank of Canada
514-412-5125
