The Montérégie-Ouest Team

Lourdes Fretes began her career at Commerce International Québec Montérégie-Ouest (CIQMO) as Senior Export Consultant in 2009. In 2014 she was promoted to the position of Development Director and International Commissioner before becoming the Executive Director of the organism in 2018.

Specializing in consulting, international markets, sales, entrepreneurship and sales channel creation for more than 20 years, Mrs. Fretes holds a university education in Computer Science and Sales and Marketing, an International Business Seminar from Sherbrooke and an ASP in launching a company of the Ministry of Education of Quebec.

Mrs. Fretes has developed various fields of expertise, among others, in: assisting manufacturing companies in their international business development, identifying business opportunities and obtaining financial support for the realization of international projects, training, seminars and missions abroad planning, buyers' receptions, etc.

Mrs. Fretes is fluent in Spanish, French, English, Guarani and can communicate in Portuguese.

Mr. Padilla-Zarco has been an international market development specialist for more than 15 years. He studied international business at the European Business School in Lyon, France, and received an International Business Development (AEC) degree from Collège Saint- Lawrence.

Mr. Padilla-Zarco has developed various fields of expertise in his area such as: organizing and executing several trade missions abroad, implementing projects for the international marketing of products and services, opening doors to new markets and customers outside of Quebec, as well as promoting strategic alliances facilitating international projects, be it in Europe or in Latin America, and especially in Mexico.

Mr. Padilla-Zarco is fluent in Spanish, French and English.

In 2025, Marion Baur joined Commerce International Québec Montérégie-Ouest (CIQMO) as an International Advisor. With her expertise in business internationalization, supplier search, business model digitalization, and risk management, she supports companies in their international development.

Marion Baur holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in International Management from the School of Management Sciences at UQAM. She also possesses a dual degree in law, economics, and management, with a specialization in management and organizational studies. Additionally, she has an international diploma in commerce and communication, as well as a Higher Technician’s Certificate in International Trade.

As a native French speaker, Marion Baur is also fluent in English. Besides these two languages, she has a basic knowledge of Spanish and Italian.

A committed professional passionate about international development, Julissa has built a career shaped by cultural diversity, strategic management, and global openness. She holds a degree in international trade from Québec and in retail management from Lima (Peru), which has enabled her to develop a sharp understanding of consumer behavior, merchandizing, and retail strategies in highly competitive environments.

Her interest in global markets led her to take part in international missions in China, where she was able to closely observe Asian economic dynamics, understand intercultural differences in business practices, and strengthen her adaptability in complex business environments. This international exposure is one of her key strengths, providing her with a global perspective and remarkable ease in multicultural exchanges.

Julissa also has significant experience as a brand manager in the textile sector. In this role, she contributed to the development and positioning of commercial brands, managing branding strategies, marketing campaigns, and coordination among creative, commercial, and production teams.

In 2026, Julissa joined CIQMO with the clear objective of leveraging her international expertise, strategic mindset, and ability to build connections between various economic actors. She aims to contribute actively to the development of projects with regional and international reach, bringing a perspective enriched by her multicultural background and diverse experiences.

In addition to her native Spanish, she speaks French and English.