Speakers

Anne-Sophie Lotgering is Proximus' Chief Enterprise Market Officer since 2020. Over the years, she has built an international career in sales & marketing in the ICT industry.
She is responsible for the further development and growth of Proximus as the B2B trusted partner of and leader in ICT. By exploring and developing new ecosystems and partnerships, she guarantees the future growth and development of the Business Unit activities in an extremely fast-changing market.

Ben Roelants is a Belgian television presenter, journalist, and radio host. With a background in communication sciences, he began his career at TV Brussel before joining the Vlaamse Media Maatschappij and becoming a presenter on the youth channel JIM. Known for his work on shows like "Vlaanderen Vakantieland" and "Junior Eurosong," Roelants has also been a radio host on stations like Radio Donna and MNM. His versatile career spans travel journalism, documentary maker and even being a DJ.

Sciencewatcher Hetty Helsmoortel is molecular biologist and doctor in health sciences. Now she wants to inspire everyone with her passion for science, in the most diverse ways. Since 2021, Hetty has toured annually with the theatre special 'Mission' about the most remarkable science news of the past year. She is the author of several books for young and old. She also makes the Nerdland podcast together with Lieven Scheire and closely follows science news as a science watcher.

Chris Umé, the Belgian who stunned America by making the America's got Talent jury sing an opera aria. Chris Umé is also co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Metaphysic, which launched in 2021 following the viral success of Umé’s original creation @DeepTomCruise. He is a world renowned generative AI media creator and artist who has led Metaphysic’s innovative collaborations with industry-leading companies across consumer goods, sports, and Hollywood entertainment. Since inception two years ago, Metaphysic has gone onto establish a long-term partnership with Creative Artists Agency (CAA). For the Miramax film "Here", directed by Robert Zemeckis starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, Chris Umé was the sole generative AI provider, and lead by example through the ethical and responsible application of synthetic media amid rapid AI innovation.

Since April 2023, Raf has led the way in strategic leadership and innovation as the Vice President of Cybersecurity and Cloud at Proximus NXT.

He recently introduced Clarence to the cloud market, offering Europe's first sovereign and disconnected cloud, ensuring data security and sovereignty.

Breakout sessions

• Controlling your hybrid IT: optimizing the balance between private and public cloud
• 15:15 - 15.40
• Yellow Backyard

• Cybersecurity and AI: boosting your business resilience
• 15:50 - 16.15
• Yellow Backyard

Kurt Cornelis serves as the CEO of Satellic, the primary toll operator in Belgium with over 600,000 international customers. Appointed by the three Belgian Regions in July 2014, the company is tasked with collecting tolls from heavy goods vehicles weighing over 3.5 tons.

Breakout session

• Controlling your hybrid IT: optimizing the balance between private and public cloud
• 15:15 - 15.40
• Yellow Backyard

At Proximus NXT, Jurgen De Klerck is the expert in the field of 5G. Based on customer cases, Jurgen will elucidate both the current applications of this new form of connectivity in various domains, such as healthcare, traffic, and more sustainable agriculture, as well as the advanced applications, such as 5G slicing and private 5G networks.

Breakout session

• From concept to reality: the magic journey of 5G
• 16.25 - 16.50
• Green Backyard

Hugues De Pra, Cisco's Chief Technology & Transformation Officer, is a driving force behind digital transformation. With over 13 years at Cisco, he has held various leadership positions focusing on driving innovation by being at the cutting edge of technologies such as hybrid-IT, SDx, or Cloud computing.

Breakout session

• Deploying smart building technologies to enable the office of the future
• 15:15 - 15.40
• Pink Backyard

Jan Sonck is a data scientist and machine learning expert, boasting a robust foundation in the field of computer science. At Proximus NXT, he plays a pivotal role as the driving force behind Quantum & Cloud Technology Innovation.

Breakout session

• Quantum, pioneering a game-changer technology
• 15:15 - 15.40
• Green Backyard

Steven De Lausnay, the Specialist Lead in Data Architecture at Codit, unravels the complexities of IoT architecture effortlessly.

With his expertise spanning generative AI, IoT, and the Data domain, Steven holds a multitude of certifications, including the esteemed Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert. He stands at the forefront of driving digital transformations through data empowerment.

Breakout session

• Azure OpenAI: fueling smarter business with cloud data superpowers
• 15:15 - 15.40
• Blue Backyard

Catherine De Saedeleer leads the 'Fixed Connectivity & Smart Networks' division at Proximus NXT. Leveraging her expertise in product management, she delivers intelligent, secure, and forward-thinking network solutions, empowering businesses to readily adopt digital transformation.

During Think NXT, she is set to reveal an innovative project that she has been dedicated to deploying a quantum-safe network on Belgium's operational fiber network, in collaboration with Nokia.

Breakout session

• Quantum, pioneering a game-changer technology
• 15:15 - 15.40
• Green Backyard

Dirk Luyckx, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Codit, is a solution driven Software Architect and Technology Lead with extensive expertise in various technologies, particularly in Microsoft solutions, cloud, and integration solutions. With 25 years of experience, he possesses a comprehensive understanding of all facets of software development.

Breakout session

• Stay ahead or fall behind: why generative AI is a must-have for your business
• 15.50 - 16.15
• Green Backyard

Ben Van Den Sande serves as the Chief Product Officer of Davinsi Labs, a Proximus NXT company specializing in security intelligence, with a focus on vulnerability management and security analytics.

He will provide valuable perspectives on how businesses can enhance their resilience through the advancements in Cybersecurity and AI technologies.

Breakout session

• Cybersecurity and AI: boosting your business resilience
• 15:50 - 16.15
• Green Backyard

Gerrit Van Daele, CIO, is committed to creating an eco-friendly, secure, and hybrid work environment at Mensura, an external service for prevention and workplace safety. As Mensura deals with sensitive private data on a daily basis, cybersecurity is given the highest priority.

Breakout session

• Cybersecurity and AI: boosting your business resilience
• 15:50 - 16.15
• Yellow Backyard

Tom Engels is a true driving force in the world of networking. Since 1999, he has held the position of Proposition Lead & Product Manager for Networking at Telindus Nederland.

He's responsible for developing, maintaining, and evolving the Telindus reference architecture and product/service catalogue. In essence, Tom is the architect of the future, shaping secure cloud connectivity solutions and managed networking services for enterprises, public sectors, healthcare, and finance clients.

Breakout session

• A day in the working life: understanding and addressing connectivity threats of hybrid working
• 15:50 - 16.15
• Pink Backyard

Anne-Gaelle Santos, Business Development Manager at Fortinet, brings two decades of experience in the development of complex global products and services for the B to B market.

Fortinet, a partner of Proximus NXT, protects the world's largest enterprises, internet service providers, and government organizations. It provides organizations with intelligent, seamless protection against cyber threats and enables them to meet the ever-increasing demands placed on their borderless networks, both now and in the future.

Breakout session

• A day in the working life: understanding and addressing connectivity threats of hybrid working
• 15:50 - 16.15
• Pink Backyard

Kristof Spriet, Products & Solutions Manager at Proximus NXT, leads a dynamic team responsible for SD-WAN, internet, and international data connectivity.

Drawing on his experience as a solutions and network engineer, Kristof has a distinctive edge in comprehending technical complexities and solutions, enabling him to offer clients invaluable advice. In an ever-evolving world, Kristof Spriet serves as your compass for staying ahead in the field of ICT.

Breakout session

• A day in the working life: understanding and addressing connectivity threats of hybrid working
• 15:50 - 16.15
• Pink Backyard

Bart Eyer works as an Empathy Advisor at Genesys and is genuinely passionate about Customer Experience and effort. Specializing in Unified Communications, Bart's mission is to ensure that those in search of customer interaction solutions can make informed decisions instead of educated guesses.

Breakout session

• Harmonize your customer engagement with AI
• 15:50 - 16.15
• Blue Backyard

Thomas Van Durme, a specialist in Artificial Intelligence, is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Orion Intelligence.

Orion Intelligence aids in enhancing your company's efficiency, enabling your customer service to manage larger volumes effortlessly, gain deeper insights into customer inquiries, and boost customer satisfaction.

Orion is an artificial intelligence-based engine that integrates with existing email solutions and CRM systems.

Breakout session

• Harmonize your customer engagement with AI
• 15:50 - 16.15
• Blue Backyard

Henk Destoop, as the Solution Sales Manager, heads a dynamic team of specialized sales professionals at Proximus NXT. Together, they introduce customers to cutting-edge technologies in the digital workplace and reshape the way people work.

Breakout session

• Harmonize your customer engagement with AI
• 15:50 - 16.15
• Blue Backyard

Creating the right work environment naturally involves focusing on innovation and technology, with cloud, (cyber)security, hybrid work and meetings, and AI as key themes. This involves many challenges for which Antoine Van Brussel, head of Communicate & Collaborate at Proximus NXT, is able to provide sustainable solutions.

Breakout session

• Transcending the war for talent: blueprints for bridging the skill gap through ICT outsourcing
• 16.25 - 16.50
• Yellow Backyard

Gijs Manders, AVP (Assistant Vice-President) at HCL Technologies, led and expanded the Telecom, Media, and High-Tech division in Europe for over 8 years.

He will be sharing insights on HCL Labs, a result of the collaboration between Dell and Proximus in the field of Cloud at Think NXT.

Breakout session

• Beyond the cloud: real-world innovations from HCLTech & Proximus Innovation Lab, empowered by Dell Technologies
• 16.25 - 16.50
• Pink Backyard

As a product owner, Peter Hoffman is responsible for all projects related to Cloud Fusion. This includes the hybrid cloud solutions of Proximus NXT, which combine the benefits of private and public cloud to create the optimal cloud environment.

Breakout session

• Beyond the cloud: real-world innovations from HCLTech & Proximus Innovation Lab, empowered by Dell Technologies
• 16.25 - 16.50
• Pink Backyard

Trust and resilience stand as pivotal elements for businesses. However, to what extent can trust be relied upon? How genuinely resilient are you? Moreover, can you place your trust in AI and machine learning?

Sofie Huylebroeck, Sales Manager Cybersecurity at Proximus NXT, is well-equipped to provide you with all the answers to your queries.

Breakout session

• Panel discussion AI & Cybersecurity: allies or adversaries?
• 16.25 - 16.50
• Blue Backyard

Andy Quaeyhaegens, a Senior Solutions Engineer at Netskope, self-proclaimed as a web security wizard and cyber security warrior, is committed to the mission of creating a safer world for enterprises to conduct business and for individuals to live in. One of his tools at his disposal is the patented Cloud XD technology.

Breakout session

• Panel discussion AI & Cybersecurity: allies or adversaries?
• 16.25 - 16.50
• Blue Backyard

With over 8 years of experience as the General Director at the Centre for Cyber Security Belgium, Miguel De Bruycker possesses in-depth knowledge of this sector. He holds the prestigious CISSP® certification from ISC2 (Certified Information Systems Security Professional Certification).

Miguel is determined to make a lasting difference in the field of ICT and to strengthen our digital future, consistently proving his dedication.

Breakout session

• Panel discussion AI & Cybersecurity: allies or adversaries?
• 16.25 - 16.50
• Blue Backyard

Tim Schaeps is a visionary Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft. He delves into the core of IT, where people, processes, and tools converge.

Tim's talent lies in assessing situations, identifying pain points, and working collaboratively with organizations to deliver transformative solutions.

Breakout session

• Azure OpenAI: fueling smarter business with cloud data superpowers
• 15:15 - 15.40
• Blue Backyard

Gregory Gruber is the Deputy Director of Outsourcing & Cloud Services at Telindus Luxembourg.

Gregory plays a pivotal role in the joint venture between Proximus and LuxConnect S.A., offering Europe's first sovereign and disconnected cloud. This unique value proposition is a gamechanger we will be talking about for years to come.

Breakout session

• Controlling your hybrid IT: optimizing the balance between private and public cloud
• 15:15 - 15.40
• Yellow Backyard

At Proximus NXT, Sandro Manzo leads a diverse team dedicated to developing a portfolio, bringing to market, and executing artificial intelligence solutions for corporate clients.

Breakout session

• Stay ahead or fall behind: why generative AI is a must-have for your business
• 15.50 - 16.15
• Green Backyard

Bringing his expertise in process optimization and HR project management to the table, Thomas Huysman, Business Consultant at Partena, provides a complete suite of project management services aimed at assisting organizations in unleashing the complete potential of their HR systems and processes.

Breakout session

• Transcending the war for talent: blueprints for bridging the skill gap through ICT outsourcing
• 16.25 - 16.50
• Yellow Backyard