Danièle Henkel
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Health and beauty |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Danièle Henkel |
| Headquarters | Montreal , Canada |
| Products | Cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, medico-aesthetic equipment, exfoliating glove (gant Renaissance) |
Danièle Henkel (born January 16, 1956) is a Canadian entrepreneur, writer, television figure, and politician who has served as a senator representing Quebec (Alma) since February 2025. She is the founder and chief executive officer of Entreprises Danièle Henkel Inc., a company recognized for its signature exfoliating product, the gant Renaissance, along with a range of health and beauty items. Henkel became well-known through her role as an investor on the French-language program Dans l'œil du dragon (2012–2016), Quebec’s adaptation of Dragons' Den. A dedicated advocate for entrepreneurship and public speaking, she has also held various board memberships. Her appointment to the Senate of Canada came in February 2025 by Governor General Mary Simon on the recommendation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, where she sits with the Progressive Senate Group.
Early life and education
Born on January 16, 1956, in Oujda, Morocco, Henkel is the daughter of a Moroccan Jewish mother and a German Catholic father. Following her father’s disappearance at the time of her birth—he was a soldier—she was raised in the Catholic faith. Her upbringing primarily took place in Algeria, where she completed a degree in international relations at the University of Oran.
At age 18, Henkel entered into an arranged marriage with Ahmed, who was a close friend of her older brother. She began her career in the late 1970s working at the U.S. Consulate in Oran and spent more than ten years as a political and economic adviser to the U.S. ambassador in Algeria. In 1989, the U.S. State Department honored her as Foreign Service National employee of the year.
Immigration and business career
In January 1990, due to rising civil unrest and extremist violence in Algeria, Henkel fled with her family to Canada seeking safety. They settled in Montreal, Quebec, arriving with minimal financial resources. Despite her extensive professional experience, she faced significant challenges securing comparable employment and took on various low-wage jobs such as secretarial work and selling lunchboxes. Employment difficulties also impacted her husband, leading to their divorce and Henkel becoming the primary breadwinner for their four children.
After six years navigating these challenges, Henkel launched her own enterprise in 1996 by importing and promoting an exfoliating glove inspired by traditional Maghreb hammam rituals, which she branded as the "gant Renaissance" ("Renaissance Glove"). She directly approached Montreal beauty salons to introduce the unfamiliar product, gradually building a devoted clientele. This success led to the creation of *Entreprises Danièle Henkel Inc.* in 1997.
Under her leadership, the company grew into a comprehensive health and beauty business offering cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, and distributing non-invasive medico-aesthetic equipment. In 2007, Henkel established a laboratory specializing in food intolerance testing—believed to be Canada’s first capable of screening for hundreds of intolerances. By 2010, Danièle Henkel Inc. was ranked among Canada’s top 100 mid-sized companies. Her achievements established her as a multimillionaire and a respected figure within Quebec’s business sector.
In addition to her commercial ventures, Henkel authored two bestselling autobiographies: Quand l’intuition trace la route (2013) and Au cœur de mes valeurs (2015), where she reflects on her personal journey and entrepreneurial principles. In 2018, she launched *DanièleHenkel.tv*, an online platform dedicated to entrepreneurship and wellness aimed at supporting Quebec’s business community. She also travels extensively as a motivational speaker promoting empowerment in both personal and professional spheres.
Media and public profile
Danièle Henkel rose to national attention in 2012 as one of the original five investor-panelists, known as "dragons," on Radio-Canada’s reality program Dans l'œil du dragon, Quebec's version of Dragons' Den. She stood out as the sole female member of the panel. Throughout the show's first five seasons (2012–2016), Henkel became a well-recognized television figure in Quebec and was widely celebrated as an exemplar for women entrepreneurs. She was the only dragon to participate in every episode of these initial five seasons before departing in 2016 to focus on other projects. Her involvement significantly elevated her public visibility.
During the mid-2010s, Henkel contributed columns on business and leadership to Montreal’s publication Les Affaires. As a sought-after public speaker, she has delivered talks both domestically and internationally on topics such as entrepreneurship, education, diversity, and women’s roles in business. Her expertise has been requested across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, where she shares insights from her journey as a female leader in business.
Community involvement and advocacy
Henkel has played an active role in mentoring and championing initiatives aimed at empowering women and promoting health causes. In 2003, she established Académie Danièle Henkel, a Canadian professional training institute for medical-aesthetic practitioners. She has supported numerous organizations including Dress for Success, the Quebec Lung Association, Sclérodermie Québec, CARE Canada, Fondation Émergence (which advocates for LGBTQ rights), and Leucan, which assists children battling cancer. Recognized for her entrepreneurial contributions, she served as an ambassador for economic francophonie representing both the Quebec Employers' Council and the Alliance des patronats francophones des Amériques, while also acting as patron for the Quebec Cancer Foundation.
Her governance experience includes board positions with Réseau Mentorat and the Armand-Frappier Foundation, which focuses on public health research. On an international level, she participated in the Canada–Algeria Business Development Council to strengthen economic relations. In April 2015, Montreal’s mayor Denis Coderre appointed her president of the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau board, where she oversaw significant projects tied to Montreal’s 375th anniversary throughout her three-year tenure. Henkel continues to prioritize education, diversity, and women’s empowerment through her various initiatives and remains committed to mentoring emerging entrepreneurs.
Senate career
On February 14, 2025, Danièle Henkel was appointed to Canada’s Senate upon Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recommendation, filling the vacant Quebec seat representing the Senate division of Alma previously held by Diane Bellemare. Her selection came through the reformed independent Senate appointment process; at that time she had no official party affiliation. By April 2025, she became a member of the Progressive Senate Group, an established caucus within the upper chamber. Henkel is anticipated to apply her extensive background in business and community advocacy to her legislative responsibilities. Her term will extend until mandatory retirement at age 75 in 2031 unless she chooses to resign beforehand.
Honours and recognition
- Chevalier of the Ordre national du Mérite (France, 2017): Bestowed Knight of the National Order of Merit by France’s government in a ceremony held in Paris with Mayor Anne Hidalgo commending Henkel’s distinctive career achievements.
- Médaille d’honneur of the National Assembly of Quebec (2018): Among Quebec’s most prestigious civilian awards acknowledging her inspiring professional trajectory and dedication to community service.
- Femme de mérite Award – Entrepreneur category (2014): Recognized by the YWCA of Montreal as an Entrepreneurial Woman of Distinction for her business accomplishments and mentorship efforts.
- Québec Businesswomen’s Award – International (2012): Presented by Réseau des femmes d’affaires du Québec for her success in expanding business operations globally.
- Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women (2019): Honored by the Women’s Executive Network for her leadership excellence and significant influence in business.
Additionally, Henkel earned the Mercure Award for entrepreneurship in 2005 and was listed among Quebec’s “Most Trusted CEOs” by the Institut de la crédibilité in 2021.
Personal life
Danièle Henkel is a mother to four children, each of whom relocated with her to Canada and subsequently became involved in the family enterprise. She attributes her core principles and determination to the influence of her mother, Fortunée. Henkel’s path—from escaping turmoil in North Africa to achieving entrepreneurial success in Canada—stands as a motivating example for immigrant and female business leaders. As a Canadian national, she is proficient in French, Arabic, and English.