Gourde, who previously led Reunion Gold until 2021, steps into the role immediately to succeed Pierre Lepine, who announced in May he would not seek reelection after nine years at the helm. Having served on Dynacor’s board for eight years, Gourde brings experience from his tenure leading the firm's governance, nomination and compensation committee, as well as his past board seats at G Mining Ventures and Radisson Mining Resources.

The leadership shift comes as the Canadian company attempts to pivot toward expansion, with plans to launch new gold processing plants in Ecuador and Senegal this year. This strategic push follows the appointment of Daniel Misiano as chief executive earlier this year, succeeding long-term leader Jean Martineau.

Despite the board’s recent success in securing shareholder votes for its slate of nominees, the appointment arrives under the shadow of iolite Partners’ vocal opposition. The Swiss firm has repeatedly characterized Dynacor’s management as resistant to transparency and shareholder engagement. Dynacor has countered these accusations, labeling the criticisms as misleading and lacking context, even as the company moves to stabilize its governance structure under Gourde.