The Board of Trade, founded 200 years ago as a voice to represent the business community, then almost entirely comprised of men and created for men, is now headed by president and CEO, Ms. Isabelle Hudon, who shares her wisdom with members of the business community.

Though she has held several influential positions in her career, this is the first time she is at the very top. “My first reaction, after a few weeks of sitting in that chair four years ago was, I understood, very well, the meaning of feeling alone at the top. But, since, I’ve learned how to surround myself with very good people. Ultimately, it is not true that you’re always alone at the top, but it is true that it’s quite different. When you are number one, the puck stops at your desk and you have to call the final decision.”

Hudon sees leadership as inspiring people to want to follow you. She does think you can change the world on your own. In fact, when she was appointed president and CEO, she accepted and applied much of the advice of her mentors: Make sure that you’re surrounded by very, very strong people.

“It is tougher, daily, to manage strong people, but success will be much more sustainable and better. I strongly believe that leadership is not about one person but a bunch of people performing all together.” Being a woman, says Hudon, only enhances and adds to the experience of being a leader.

More and more, the presence of women in leadership positions redefines the interaction in the workplace. “Women try to share the passion, share the idea, making sure that their own idea becomes a collective one.” When a woman leader sees that people are buying into her ideas, then she launches her plan or action. “Whereby,” she says, “men are way more authoritative. One is not better than the other one, but the mix is very good. I do believe that the richness of a team is the complementing of people and expertise. We have to have great expertise and a good combination of men and women.”

Hudon’s leadership style is not conventional or hierarchical. Rather, the predominant and recurring ingredient for her success as a leader is passion. The meaning of success for her has always remained the same: Success is simply happiness. “Success can be very different for different people. We have to have goals and we have to reach those goals and make them even better. But one thing is for sure, we have to celebrate success.”

Both Hudon’s personal and professional goals center around communication and the spreading of inspiration and joy. Her professional goal is simply to inspire people around her to work in a common direction, towards a common goal. Her personal goal has remained the same her entire life: She wishes to continue to be happy. Even in situations where Hudon does not win, she looks for the positive side of things and accepts the occasional pitfalls. Winners, says Hudon, are both born and created. It’s more about choice for her; the choice to behave with respect and integrity. When you know how to cherish those values and you have ambition and you’re happy...then everything is possible. “Dreaming is a right,” she says, “and not a privilege.”

The dream to rise, to believe in inspiration and passion—to be a woman and a leader —is a right Ms. Isabelle Hudon has earned.