Étienne Le Pironnec received the Young Leaders Award at the 2023 CUTA Awards Ceremony.

Étienne Le Pironnec’s outstanding leadership has consistently set him apart, even before joining Société de transport de Montréal (STM). While a student at Polytechnique de Montréal, he initiated the very first research project that forged a valuable partnership between the university and STM. In 2020, he was recruited by the organization as a technical support analyst. Thanks to his remarkable expertise in data sciences and data valorization, his exceptional strategic analysis skills, and his talent for simplifying and disseminating complex information, he rapidly ascended the ranks, reaching the position of Senior Data Science Analyst in 2022, a unique role within STM. He has also become a trusted consultant for STM’s most significant projects, including the electrification of buses, and exerts influence on the decisions of the Strategic Anticipation Committee, an assembly of STM’s top experts and managers in the innovation field.

Étienne embodies the qualities and interpersonal skills of an inspiring leader. As an exceptional communicator, he fosters an innovative culture and drives significant transformations, all while displaying humility, empathy, and a keen ear for his team members. His ability to quickly grasp operational realities, workflows, and production constraints allows him to swiftly recognize the value of integrating data analysis, a critical aspect of transportation and sustainable mobility planning.

Étienne’s influence extends beyond the Strategic Anticipation Committee, as he actively shares his expertise, including at the 2022 CUTA Conference and Transit Show. He’s spearheading the creation of a Data-Driven Planning and Maintenance Center at Polytechnique de Montréal, leading a team of over 12 master’s and doctoral students. This initiative enhances STM’s performance while providing valuable opportunities for students. His work has resulted in the development of innovative decision support tools, like the self-service analytical project in the Planning and Maintenance Directorate. Étienne continuously introduces novel approaches, such as a universal planning model applicable across all maintenance sectors. Currently, he guides the implementation of a “data lake” for optimizing team performance and employs performance indicators (Power BI) to monitor projects. Étienne also serves as the key representative for his directorate in the self-service analytics rollout at STM.