Alain Bouchard, born in 1949 in Chicoutimi, Quebec, is the founder and visionary behind the global convenience store powerhouse, Alimentation Couche-Tard. His childhood was characterized by modesty and the powerful work ethic of his parents. His father owned an excavation company and, despite having only three years of elementary education, was an ambitious and tireless worker; his mother managed the company's finances.

His family faced adversity early when his father's company went bankrupt, leading the family to temporarily move. This hardship, however, instilled in Bouchard the relentless drive and business acumen needed to succeed in a demanding industry. After attending a boarding school run by priests, he pursued business courses at HEC Montreal and simultaneously studied English, combining hands-on experience with formal training to prepare for his entrepreneurial destiny.

Alain Bouchard's career started at a young age, and by 1969, he was hired by the convenience store chain 'Perrette' to scout and set up new locations. He soon became a director and was instrumental in opening 100 of their 184 stores. However, he left the company due to concerns about employee treatment, reflecting his values-based approach.

His true legacy began in 1980 when he founded Alimentation Couche-Tard with the opening of his first store in Laval, Quebec. Bouchard's strategy was built on smart, incremental growth and a genius for M&A: acquiring networks like 'Sept-Jours', 'Mac's', and 'Perrette's' stores throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The pivotal global moment was the acquisition of the U.S.-based Circle K chain in 2003, which instantly transformed Couche-Tard into a global leader. He served as CEO for 25 years until 2014, when he transitioned to his current role as Executive Chairman of the Board.

Alain Bouchard’s deep-seated commitment to giving back, motivated by a desire to be a 'catalyst for change', is manifest through the 'Sandra and Alain Bouchard Foundation' (FSAB), which he co-established with his wife, Sandra Chartrand, in 2012. Their philanthropic work is focused on two highly specific and deeply personal areas of support.

• Arts and Culture: The foundation is a major financial supporter of organizations within the arts and culture sector, recognizing the importance of creativity to community well-being.
• Intellectual Disabilities: They are intensely committed to supporting people living with intellectual disabilities, aiming to help them 'better integrate society'.

Over the course of a decade, the FSAB financially supported organizations with contributions totaling nearly $30 million. For their leading role in philanthropy in Quebec, he and his wife were named 'Exceptional philanthropist of the year' in 2015.