Team
Ugo joined the M&A Club as president in October 2024.
Having started his career in law at BCF, he later moved into entrepreneurship, acquiring and managing several businesses over more than 20 years. He then advised numerous business leaders on growth strategies, acquisitions, and business sales.
Since taking the lead at the Club, he has launched the expansion of new chapters across Canada and is preparing for international growth, while developing a range of new services.
Ugo also served as president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Montreal (2000), founded Business Volunteers (2005), and currently chairs the board of the Volunteer Bureau of Montreal.
Eric Cardinal has been involved with the M&A Club since its very first meeting in 2009.
He joined the executive team in 2023 as senior vice-president and serves as chapter president for the downtown Montréal chapter.
With over 20 years of experience in corporate finance and M&A, Eric has held leadership roles at Oaklins, IJW Capital, and Scotiabank, including international mandates in Asia. He also acts as strategic advisor to Optionality, is CFO of OncoXchange, and sits on the board of Hong Kong-Canada Business Association.
At the Club, he leads member relations, corporate partnerships, and programming. He holds a BAA from HEC Montréal and has completed the DFC, FLC, and CSC courses with the Canadian Securities Institute.
Laurine Chabert has been with the M&A Club since 2017, holding various roles in communications and marketing before being appointed managing director in 2025.
A specialist in business network development and showcasing M&A expertise, she now leads the Club’s visibility campaigns across Canada.
Laurine coordinates the Club’s regional chapters and oversees its flagship events such as the M&A Forum and the M&A Awards Gala.
With a background in B2B marketing and event management, she works to foster strategic connections among M&A professionals and promote the exchange of best practices.
Judy Murphy joined the M&A Club in 2025 as program director.
She oversees the Club’s core programs, leads the M&A Club Academy on a national scale, facilitates specialized groups such as Women in M&A Lunches, and plays an active role in recruiting members and partners both in Canada and internationally.
Coming from the translation sector, where she advanced from intern to partner, Judy is a strong bilingual leader with an ability to engage her audience and communicate effectively.
She is also director of a chapter of CorporateConnections® Canada, connecting business leaders worldwide and building strategic networks.
Joe Graci joined the M&A Club in September 2025 as Managing Director for Ontario.
A seasoned entrepreneur and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), he brings over twenty years of experience in building, growing, and selling businesses across various industries.
Recognized for his strategic leadership and ability to build high-performing organizations, Joe has successfully led several technology and professional services companies, driving their expansion across Canada and internationally. Passionate about entrepreneurship, he supports business owners, investors, and successors in their growth and transition strategies, with a strong focus on long-term value creation and business sustainability.
