Les Rugissants Welcome Lilia Aoudj as Executive Director
Les Rugissants are pleased to announce the appointment of Lilia Aoudj as Executive Director, effective November 2, 2026.
In its nine years of existence, Les Rugissants has developed a distinctive artistic signature, created unique musical experiences, fostered connections, and built a solid organizational structure. As the company continues to grow, driven by increasingly ambitious projects and a growing number of collaborations, the arrival of Lilia Aoudj marks a new stage in its development.
“When you found a company, you have a vision, ambitions, dreams… but you don’t yet know how far they will take you. A decade later, I realize just how far we’ve come, but also how much we still have to imagine and build. Today, we are looking to welcome someone who will guide us through this new phase while strengthening our artistic and organizational vision. Following a thorough and rigorous selection process, the board of directors and I have unanimously chosen to entrust the leadership of the company to Lilia Aoudj. “Her keen analytical skills, her quiet strength, and her solid management experience allow us to look to the future with enthusiasm and confidence,” says Xavier Brossard-Ménard, artistic director and conductor of Les Rugissants.
A Career at the Intersection of the Arts and Management
As a professional in cultural management and development, Lilia Aoudj brings a wealth of experience that combines the arts, strategy, and the leadership of cultural organizations. Notably, she served as director of operations at Terres en vues, the organization behind the Présence autochtone International Festival in Montreal, where she oversaw the administrative, financial, and operational management of three editions of the festival.
Her career also includes several co-directorial roles in the cultural sector, notably at Dima Cinéma, as well as serving as artistic director for international festivals, including the Béjaïa Film Festival and the European Film Festival in Algeria. With a master’s degree from EM Strasbourg, she combines an understanding of the challenges of artistic creation with solid expertise in the management and development of cultural organizations.
A New Chapter for Les Rugissants
Convinced of Les Rugissants’ artistic excellence and their potential for growth, Lilia hopes to help usher in a new chapter in their journey by fostering collaborations, supporting the emergence of new initiatives, and strengthening the conditions that allow artistic projects to flourish fully, both here and internationally.
She will succeed Sophie Lapierre, who has served as interim executive director since the summer of 2025 and has guided the organization through a period marked by significant achievements and growth.
The entire Les Rugissants team extends a warm welcome to her and looks forward to building the future together.
Welcome, Lilia!