Driven by grace: The remarkable legacy of Huguette Koller, automotive pioneer and community champion

In an industry historically driven by horsepower and male leadership, Huguette Koller emerged not only as a trailblazer, but as a beacon of compassion, resilience, and elegant determination. Over the past six decades, she has shaped the automotive landscape in Canada, empowered women in business, and forever changed the lives of thousands through her quiet but profound acts of generosity.

A woman ahead of her time

Born in Val D’Or, in the Abitibi region of Quebec, Huguette (born Leblanc) grew up in a humble home where generosity was a way of life. Her parents were known in their community for always lending a hand and sharing what little they had—a quiet generosity that would shape Huguette’s character for decades to come.

Her father was a visionary in his own right, building the first hotel in Val-d’Or—the Palace Hotel—to serve the miners arriving from Europe to work in the nearby gold mines. He ran the hotel with the help of Huguette’s mother, forming a hardworking partnership that left a lasting impression on their young daughter.

At the age of six, Huguette’s world shifted when the family had to sell the hotel. They moved to a small farmhouse in Gatineau, passed down from her grandfather. The house had no running water or electricity—just a roof, determination, and the will to begin again. It was there, in that modest setting, that Huguette’s resilience began to take root.

From an early age, she shared a special bond with her father—especially when it came to cars. He taught her how to drive at just 14 years old, sparking a passion that would stay with her for life.

As a young woman, Huguette didn’t just imagine a different future—she built one.

The story of her rise in the automotive world begins not with luxury vehicles or showrooms, but with a gas station—and a shared determination to build something meaningful, no matter the odds. In the early 1960s, she and her husband, Otto, received a conditional loan, which they used to occupy the White Rose gas station on Carling Avenue. It was there that Huguette truly began to defy convention. Working full-time at a pharmacy, she gave up her lunch hours to go pump gas. She made history as the first woman in Ottawa to serve gas, doing so proudly in a dress and high heels—not as a gimmick, but because it reflected who she was: unapologetically feminine, impossibly hardworking, and entirely unstoppable.

“It was a man’s world,” she recalled. “I had to work harder, be sharper, and stay true to who I was.”

Over the years, what began as a humble gas station evolved into a thriving automotive hub. The couple expanded one step at a time, adding a growing lineup of prestigious and innovative brands under their roof on Richmond Road in Westboro: BMW, Saab, Datsun, Lada, Puma,

Hyundai, Subaru and Land Rover. With Huguette’s sharp instincts, endless determination, and grace under pressure, they transformed their entrepreneurial gamble into a generational legacy.

Forging her own path, Huguette didn’t just support an automotive legacy—she boldly created one of her own. In the early 1980s, she shattered a glass ceiling by becoming the first female in Canada to lead a Chrysler dealership, launching Kollbec Chrysler in Gatineau. At a time when the automotive industry was overwhelmingly male-led, her appointment was groundbreaking—and her performance quickly proved that she belonged at the very top.

With her signature blend of elegance and strategic instinct, Huguette built Kollbec into a thriving dealership known for its exceptional service, trusted relationships, and community roots. But she didn’t stop there. She went on to acquire a Honda dealership with her husband, further cementing her role as a respected force in both Quebec and Ontario’s automotive markets.

Huguette was a pioneer who believed that excellence and elegance could, and should, coexist.

A life of devotion to family

Above all else, Huguette was a devoted mother to her daughters Sonia and Tanya, and a loving grandmother to Natasha and Suria. Her family was her greatest pride and joy. She nurtured her daughters with warmth, strength, and quiet wisdom—teaching them to lead with heart, speak with courage, and give without hesitation. She passed on a legacy of compassion, boldness, and grace.

Included in her family was her son-in-law Arief, whom she welcomed into the family as a true son over 23 years ago. Her appreciation for his unwavering dedication to supporting her family grew deeper with every passing year and her presence left an indelible mark on his life.

In more recent years, she warmly welcomed Natasha’s husband, Corey, into the family as well—sharing with him moments of celebration and a mutual love for beautiful cars.

Huguette’s spirit of inclusion and connection was ever present, and her ability to make others feel truly at home was one of her greatest gifts.

The cherished sibling to three brothers and three sisters, Huguette also shared a deep bond with a large extended family of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and dear friends across Canada and Switzerland. She even learned German to communicate more deeply with her Swiss family—a reflection of her boundless love and curiosity.

Her heart and her home were always open. Whether gathered around a holiday table or traveling across continents, Huguette’s devotion to family was unwavering.

Otto’s Legacy: A Family Affair

Following the passing of Otto in 1998, Huguette continued to lead with strength and grace, elevating his legacy while shaping her own. She oversaw the growth of their two respected automotive dealerships: Otto’s BMW and Otto’s Subaru.

Under her direction, alongside Sonia and Arief, Otto’s BMW became a crown jewel in the Canadian automotive landscape—known not just for its stunning showroom and world-class service, but for a client-first culture that has kept generations of customers coming back. Otto’s Subaru brought that same energy to a different audience, blending everyday capability with a family-owned, boutique feel that only a company rooted in values could provide. Today, Otto’s Subaru proudly holds the title as Canada’s leading Subaru volume dealer—for 10 years and counting.

Sonia and Arief have been a vital part of that journey—continuing to nurture the relationships, integrity, and excellence that define the Otto’s legacy. Together, they carry forward Huguette’s lifelong philosophy: treat people like family, deliver only the best, and stay true to who you are.

“Our clients are like family,” Huguette said. “You take care of people, and they’ll take care of you.”

An enduring passion for adventure

Huguette’s connection to cars runs deeper than business—it’s personal and passionate. She has a true love for performance vehicles, often speaking with excitement about the precision, design, and adrenaline that make driving a joy. One of her greatest automotive loves was her prized Ferrari, which she proudly drove around town—sometimes, admittedly, a little too fast. Whether attending auto shows, hosting private events, or simply relishing the thrill of the open road, her enthusiasm for cars has never waned—refined, fearless, and endlessly sincere.

“I’ve always had a soft spot for fast cars,” she said with a glint in her eye. “There’s something thrilling about how they respond—how they’re built. It’s a kind of art.”

This love for adrenaline and adventure also led to a deep curiosity about the world around her.

Huguette travelled to every continent except Antarctica, exploring cultures, connecting with communities, and collecting unforgettable memories along the way.

She traveled to Africa to assist doctors serving communities in Tanzania. She journeyed to Baffin Island with hot air balloonists and base jumpers, once finding herself in a tent while a polar bear tapped on the canvas.

She skied the high mountains of Europe—in Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and France—as well as in Colorado and New Mexico. She played golf in Nepal. She sang opera in Monte Carlo and Vienna.

Huguette lived fully, boldly, and with a grace that never dimmed.

Fuelling more than cars: A heart for philanthropy

For Huguette, business success has always been a means to a higher end: serving the community.

Nowhere is this more visible than in her 25-year dedication to La Soupière de l’Amitié, a soup kitchen in Gatineau that she supported with unwavering loyalty since 1988. As the longtime chair of its board (présidente du conseil), Huguette helped steer the organization through growth, financial stress, and uncertainty.

Her vision was clear: empower people with dignity, not dependency.

“I asked myself, ‘What kind of legacy do I want to leave?’ And the answer was simple—one that helps others.”

She also brought philanthropy into the daily operations of her dealerships. Through Otto’s Planet, every car sold allows customers to direct a donation to local charities—many of which support women, children, and community food security. To date, Otto’s Planet has donated over $1.8M to worthwhile causes at home and around the world.

“I don’t need applause,” she once said. “I need to know that I’ve done the right thing.”

Empowering future generations

Huguette’s influence extends far beyond her dealerships. She has been a mentor to women in business, an advocate for community-led growth, and a role model for grace in leadership. Her story has inspired countless women to enter industries where they may have once felt unwelcome—demonstrating that kindness is not a weakness, but a powerful force for change.

“Success is about more than money,” she said. “It’s about doing good work—for the right reasons.”

She has shown that it’s possible to lead with both compassion and courage—to build a successful empire, sharpened by her education at Harvard Business School, while never forgetting the importance of feeding a hungry child or uplifting a struggling family.

Her remarkable blend of business leadership, community commitment, and heartfelt philanthropy earned her the distinguished title of Person of the Year by Radio-Canada in both 2007 and 2013. Her visionary work in the automotive industry, coupled with her unwavering support for local charities—made her not only a respected entrepreneur, but a deeply admired community figure. These honours reflect a lifetime of generosity, resilience, and impact that continues to inspire across generations.

A deep love for the arts

Beyond the world of engines and elegance, Huguette has long held a deep and abiding love for the arts—a passion as integral to her identity as her legacy in the automotive industry. A classically trained opera singer, Huguette’s connection to music is not just as a supporter, but as a performer with a rich, expressive voice and a lifelong appreciation for the emotional power of the art of music.

Her early years were marked by performance and study, and even as her business ventures grew, she never lost her devotion to the arts. Huguette spoke of music—especially opera—with reverence and affection, crediting it for instilling in her the discipline, sensitivity, and poise that had served her throughout her career. Whether performing herself or sitting quietly in the front row, she had always believed that the arts were essential to the soul.

That belief has translated into decades of generous support for Canadian artists, musicians, and cultural institutions. She has played a behind-the-scenes but deeply impactful role in helping launch and sustain the careers of celebrated talents such as Richard Abel, Steeve Michaud, Jean Desmarais, D.D. Jackson, and Alain Lévesque, among many others. Her patronage isn’t just financial—it’s personal. She attends performances, encourages artists directly, and helps create opportunities for them to grow and flourish.

To those who know her, Huguette’s love of the arts is simply another expression of her character: generous, passionate, and deeply committed to beauty in all its forms. Whether nurturing voices from the stage or engines from the showroom, her impact is lasting, far-reaching, and always driven by heart.

A living legacy

Today, Huguette is not just an automotive pioneer—she is a symbol of possibility. Her life is a testament to what can be accomplished when you lead with heart, hold true to your values, and never back down from a challenge.

Her legacy lives on in every car that leaves Otto’s dealerships, in every meal served at La Soupière de l’amitié, and in every young woman who dares to take the wheel in a male-dominated world. She reminds us all that success isn’t about status—it’s about service. It’s not about being the loudest—it’s about lasting impact.

And that, more than anything, is what Huguette Koller has driven home.