The team
Patrick Rake
President of SKYSPA Group, Patrick is a leading voice for wellness. Since 1995, he’s been bringing his dream to offer as many people as possible the rejuvenating benefits of the spa experience to life, starting with Spa Nordic Station in the Eastern Townships. Patrick also takes an active part in advancing the industry in Quebec as former chair of the board of Spas Relais Santé and co-founder of the Association québécoise des spas.
Patrick’s vision goes far beyond the bottom line; he believes the company’s success rests on the passion of its teams. Guiding staff with respect and a purpose, he takes an accessible, people-centred approach that fosters a caring culture at the company.
With its four locations, SKYSPA Group represents the colossal efforts of Patrick and his team. The company can count on the direction of capable leaders, united by shared beliefs, to evolve and grow over the long term. Thanks to Patrick, SKYSPA Group will continue to make wellness even more accessible to people.
An expert on wellness, Patrick wants to share the benefits of thermotherapy with Quebecers; a passion he cultivated during his travels around the world. Although he no longer conducts Aufguss rituals on a daily basis, he remains a regular client of his spas and continues to learn. “I’ve passed the mantle to our ritual meisters, who are now the undisputed experts of this art. This gives me the opportunity to completely immerse myself in the experience alongside our customers, and I feel immensely grateful to be able to do so,” he says.
Samia Amrane
Samia ensures that every SKYSPA Group team is running smoothly and in line with the company’s strategic vision. Outstanding service, customer satisfaction and company profitability all fall under her responsibility.
With both a diploma in tourism management from the ITHQ and a bachelor’s in business administration, Samia has amassed over a decade’s experience in the hotel and wellness sectors. An experienced manager, she led the successful restructuring of SKYSPA DIX30, resulting in increased sales. Exuding quiet strength and warmth, Samia is a dynamic leader who inspires confidence in her teams. She was promoted to Vice-President in 2023, seven years after joining SKYSPA Group. Samia’s skills and in-depth knowledge of the industry means no challenge is insurmountable; she firmly believes that every problem has a solution just waiting to be put into action.
Focused on growth and progress, Samia encourages innovation in personalized care. She envisions a future where wellness is seen as a part of everyday life, where a spa is not simply a place to relax, but a haven for rediscovering inner peace. Her favourite ritual is the Aufguss: “It’s 15 intense minutes scented with essential oils, for an incredible sense of well-being,” she says enthusiastically.
Alain Nolet, CPA, CA
SKYSPA Group’s financial expert, Alain plays a pivotal role in maintaining the company’s financial well-being. His levelheaded mindset and pragmatism creates a stable working environment and framework for prudent decision-making. This unflappable façade, however, belies a wonderful sense of humour, often accompanied by a warm laugh.
An accomplished businessman, his professional career spans almost two decades in management positions, during which time he’s earned a reputation for being an exceptional strategist. A proven problem-solver, Alain is recognized for his sharp business acumen and ability to motivate the people around him, inspiring them to constantly aim higher.
Alain’s also an advocate of SKYSPA Group’s vision of making wellness more accessible. By keeping the company on a strong financial foundation, he’s helping to support this mission. For his own wellness, he practises sensory meditation, an immersive experience originating in Germany, that promotes relaxation. “The world of finance may be serious, but a bit of lightness is essential for finding balance in our work, just as it is in meditation,” shares Alain.
Sonia Gemme
Sonia ensures that SKYSPA adheres to the highest standards in customer experience and instills respect for uncompromising attention to detail among managers and teams at all spa locations.
Sonia brings a wealth of experience in operations and human resources management to her position. Her extensive world travels have equipped her with a keen sense of what defines exceptional service in the tourism industry. She played a key role in the creation and design of Spa Nordic Station in the Eastern Townships and two SKYSPA locations: the DIX30 and Quebec City. With a sharp, meticulous eye, she’s focused on providing customers with an unparalleled experience.
As Customer Experience Consultant, she sees SKYSPA Group continuing to set the standard for first-class customer experience and wellness well into the future. As she aptly puts it: “Our mission is to infuse every experience with human warmth, to create moments that touch the soul and revive the spirit, transforming every visit into a journey of wellness.”
Sonia loves the multiple benefits of thermotherapy, such as improving metabolism and reducing stress through deep relaxation. The practice is in perfect harmony with Sonia’s commitment to overall wellness. And she wants everyone who chooses to place their trust in the teams at SKYSPA Group to enjoy a restorative experience.
Chantal Bouchard
As SKYSPA Group’s Director of Finance since May 2023, Chantal plays a crucial role in overseeing the company's financial and accounting management, and financial consolidation. She also provides vital administrative support to all four SKYSPA Group locations.
With over 30 years of experience in finance, principally with SMEs and manufacturers, Chantal deservedly enjoys a reputation for being an effective financial manager. She has a talent for streamlining accounting departments in a way that increases efficiency and fosters inter-departmental communication. Her meticulousness, honesty and ability to listen are tools that are well suited to her role.
The caring and calming atmosphere that permeates the wellness industry does Chantal a world of good. A world she hopes more and more people will be able to enjoy the benefits of thanks to a diverse range of relaxation and wellness services.
“As someone who loves financial balance, the traditional Aufguss is my secret to finding harmony and balance – both in life and numbers!” says Chantal of her favourite ritual.
Maeva Connabel
As Director of Human Resources, Maeva is responsible for fostering a harmonious work environment and empowering teams. She aligns the company’s organizational structure with its values, mission and strategies, and supports manager-employee relationships as well as hiring. If team well-being is the key to an exceptional customer experience, she spares no effort to develop a dynamic and engaging company culture.
Maeva joined SKYSPA Group in 2021 with over eight years of experience in human resources management and a desire to advance HR practices in an industry focused on well-being. Nothing makes her prouder than seeing employees realize their potential and express their happiness at being part of the adventure.
Passionate about people and innovation, she aspires to see the wellness industry continually renew itself to offer unique experiences to an ever-growing fan base.
Her go-to ritual? The traditional Aufguss, which she appreciates for its uniqueness: “The ritual is my favourite because each Aufguss meister adds their own personal touch, which makes the experience special and authentic every time.”
Margot Saunier
A strategic marketer and customer experience expert, Margot steers SKYSPA Group’s marketing team. With proven brand management skills and success developing innovative strategies, she’s responsible for setting the direction for the group's portfolio of brands. The immersive, engaging experiences she creates succeed in building customer loyalty.
Having orchestrated high-impact initiatives in the retail network over her career, today she puts her talent to work to showcase SKYSPA Group’s key strengths: the know-how of its thermotherapy specialists and its impeccable customer service.
Known for a collaborative approach and commitment to philanthropic marketing, Margot pushes beyond traditional marketing boundaries to bring a strong social mission to her initiatives. Her leadership and vision are helping to position SKYSPA Group as a benchmark for wellness in Quebec.
An avid Aufguss practitioner, she appreciates the rituals’ beauty but loves their therapeutic power even more. For her, these rituals perfectly embody SKYSPA Group’s mission: to offer unique experiences that invite you to fully let go and treat your mind and body to traditions from other cultures.
Marc-André Boulais
At SKYSPA Group, Marc-André is responsible for ensuring that every customer enjoys a satisfying dining experience. He oversees restaurant operations, guarantees product and service quality, and creates an enjoyable, engaging work environment for his teams. He’s on a mission to pair gastronomic excellence with well-being, creating a culinary offering that’s in perfect harmony with the spa experience.
Passionate about the culinary arts, Marc-André sharpened his skills at the side of well-known Quebec chefs and during internships at Michelin-starred restaurants in France. Upon graduating from the ITHQ in 2010, he went on to work for a number of leading tables, including Groupe Toqué. After a decade as a chef, he switched direction to focus on management, where the positive impact of his leadership and strategic vision can be felt.
Aware of the challenges around sustainable food, he’d like to see the industry evolve towards more responsible, environmentally friendly practices.
His favourite ritual, the Aufguss Viking, reflects his taste for intense, immersive experiences. As he says, “like a good dish that activates all your senses, the Aufguss Viking is a complete, invigorating experience that transports you.”
Olivier Garneau
On a daily basis, Olivier oversees the spa’s activities, ensures the health and safety at the premises, maintains service standards and implements strategies to meet the company’s financial objectives.
Formerly a massage therapist, kinesiologist and orthotherapist, his background in health, sports and leisure is a natural fit for his current role at SKYSPA Group. Olivier is the steady hand behind the scenes, orchestrating activities and ensuring the smooth running of SKYSPA DIX30's operations. With his sensible approach, humour and sharp analytical skills, he encourages both action and a warm working environment, always taking time to listen to his team members.
Olivier is firmly focused on shaping the future. He leverages innovation in order to adapt to the changing needs of the wellness industry and those of the spa’s clientele.
The traditional Aufguss ritual – his personal choice for relaxation – reflects his desire to invigorate his customers’ experience. As Olivier explains: “In the same way the Aufguss energizes, I want everyone who comes here to feel a sense of deep restorative power both mentally and physically.”
Julien Hinck
As head of the customer service, maintenance and massage therapist teams, Julien sets the bar high for customer experience at SKYSPA Quebec while continuing to find ways to make a great experience even better.
With over a decade spent in the auto industry working his way up from sales consultant to regional sales manager, Julien knows the importance of quality service. It was while managing the operations of a large resort, welcoming thousands of visitors every day, that he fell in love with the world of wellness.
Developing his teams is a priority for him, since, in his view, stronger teams are a cornerstone of good leadership. He has a knack for consistently surpassing customers’ expectations. The fact that he takes time to speak with them regularly about their experience might have a little something to do with it. There couldn’t be anything more rewarding for Julien than helping people feel better both physically and mentally. In the future, he hopes that the industry will continue to innovate by adopting ever more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. He summarizes it this way: “Well-being is not a luxury, it’s a need. And that includes the well-being of the planet. We’re here to focus on both.”
The first order of the day for this Quebec City operations maestro is an early morning workout, before taking advantage of the facilities and their magnificent views. His pre-opening eclectic playlist, which he plays over the speakers, sets an upbeat mood for the day ahead.
Discover the history of the group
Discover the important stages that have shaped the SKYSPA group’s journey since its beginnings.
Discover the history