Our management team

Our management team

Champion Iron experts share a single mission:
responsible and carefully planned profitability

Michael O’Keeffe - Champion Iron

Michael O’Keeffe
Executive Chairman of the Board

A metallurgist by training, Michael serves as executive chairman of Champion Iron. His vast knowledge of the mining industry and its issues and his extensive experience managing large companies have given him an impressive track record of rock-solid achievements.

Riversdale Mining Limited (2004-2011)

As executive chairman, Michael drove the development of this Australian mining company, taking it from a junior company with a market capitalization of $7 million to a major company acquired by Rio Tinto for the staggering sum of $4 billion. During his tenure at Riversdale Mining, Michael raised nearly $780 million for the company.

Glencore Australia Limited (1995-2004)

As managing director, Michael was responsible for Glencore’s Australian acquisitions. Under his tutelage, company market share in Australia and South Asia increased exponentially, and sales exploded from $100 million to $2.4 billion.

Mount Isa Mines (1975-1994)

At Mount Isa, Michael rose with determination up to executive management level in commercial activities of this mining company in Queensland, Australia. His mandates included feasibility studies for copper smelting and pursuing refining opportunities in Europe, Asia, North America and South America.

David Cataford, <span>Eng.</span> - Champion Iron

David Cataford, Eng.
Chief Executive Officer and Director

Mining engineer by training, David joined Champion Iron in 2014 and was appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer on April 1, 2019. Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, David held the role of Chief Operating Officer at Champion Iron where he played a key role in the management team. David completed the acquisition and delivery of the successful restart of the Bloom Lake Mine by managing its construction, its commissioning, and building a team composed of more than 900 top mining talents. In addition to his successful performance history in executing acquisitions, David held several management positions in the Labrador Trough including his tenure with Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and ArcelorMittal.

David cofounded and held the role of president for the North Shore and Labrador Mineral Processing Society. David’s career has been recognized by several accolades including the Young Mining Professionals award and the Brendan Woods International Top Gun CEO award.

Alexandre Belleau, <span>Eng.</span> - Champion Iron

Alexandre Belleau, Eng.
Chief Operating Officer

Alexandre joined the team in 2016, right at the beginning of the QIO adventure. With his career as entrepreneur in various lines of business, Alexandre’s versatility allowed him to successfully head the restart of Bloom Lake. He is closely involved in many aspects of the company where logistics, operations, human resources and financing, among other things, all benefit from his expertise in business development and project management.

Alexandre holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from the Université de Sherbrooke and is an executive member of the Quebec Mining Association.

Donald Tremblay - Champion Iron

Donald Tremblay
Chief Financial Officer

With 25 years of extensive experience and an impressive track record in finance and the mining industry, Donald Tremblay joined Champion Iron in 2022 as Chief Financial Officer. He previously worked in similar roles with private and publicly traded companies including Iron Ore Company of Canada, TransAlta Corporation and Brookfield Renewable Power.

Throughout his career, Donald developed strategic skills in capital markets, investor relations and corporate development that complement his work experience in accounting, tax, controls, and compliance.

As a Chartered Professional Accountant with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Université du Québec en Outaouais, Donald eloquently embodies the discipline and credibility our Corporation applies to its financial governance.

Steve Boucratie - Champion Iron

Steve Boucratie
Senior Vice-President - General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Steve joined Champion Iron in June 2019 as Vice-President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Steve brings more than 16 years of legal and transaction experience. Prior to joining Champion, Steve was serving as Director, Legal Affairs and Assistant Corporate Secretary for Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. Before Osisko, Steve was a partner of the law firm Fasken Martineau Dumoulin LLP where he practiced corporate law.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Law from Montreal University, a Bachelor of Business Administration from HEC Montreal and is a member of the Barreau du Québec.

Michael Marcotte, <span>CFA</span> - Champion Iron

Michael Marcotte, CFA
Senior Vice-President - Corporate Development and Capital Markets

Michael joined Champion Iron Limited in 2018 as Vice-President Investor Relations, then promoted to Senior-Vice President Corporate Development and Capital Markets in 2021. Prior to joining Champion, Michael worked as Vice-President and Partner at Orion Financials Inc. from 2004 to 2007, which was acquired by Macquarie Capital Markets Canada Ltd., where he focused on natural resource equities with institutional investors across North America and Europe from 2007 to 2018. His previous experience includes equity research focused on natural resources at various institutional asset managers. Michael was recognized as ‘TopGun’ award by Brendan Wood International as a leading institutional sales professional in 2017 and 2018, then as a leading global investor relations representative in 2023. Michael served for several years on the Board of Directors of Ruelle de l’Avenir, a non-profit organization contributing to the learning and academic success of young people in greater Montréal.

Michael is a Chartered Financial Analyst, a Calvin C. Potter Fellow and holds a Commerce Degree from Concordia University.

Angela Kourouklis, <span>CRIA, MBA</span> - Champion Iron

Angela Kourouklis, CRIA, MBA
Senior Vice-President - Human Resources

Angela Kourouklis has been a human resources manager for nearly 20 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations from the Université de Montréal, an MBA from UQAM and an EMBA from the Université Paris Dauphine – PSL.

Prior to joining Champion Iron Limited as Senior Vice-President, Human Resources, Angela worked in various sectors such as the aerospace, hospitality, transportation and warehousing and food industries. She was able to implement, through her diverse experience and in various contexts, many management practices that position people at the heart of the company. This approach has enabled her to foster culture, innovation and creativity.

Throughout her career, Angela has developed strategies to promote skills development, organizational development projects and labour relations. She has made a name for herself by modernizing company cultures wherever she worked, and fostering team engagement, recruitment and leadership.

Beyond her professional experience, her involvement in various boards of directors and advisory committees has allowed her to develop related knowledge and skills, stay connected to the most advanced management practices and enrich her thoughts by collaborating with professionals and managers.