2025 speaker lineup

Ella Leyers, a Belgian actress and daughter of musician and television producer Jan Leyers, has built a successful career in the Flemish television and film industry. Besides her acting work, Ella is also active as a radio host and presenter of the television programme "De Ideale Wereld" on Canvas.

Christophe Crous is the Corporate Segment & Marketing Lead at Proximus NXT, where he focuses on driving digital transformation and innovation for enterprise clients. With expertise in marketing strategy and technology solutions, he plays a key role in aligning services with customer needs, particularly in areas like cloud, security, and networking.

Koen Schoors is a Professor of Economics at Ghent University, specializing in Banking and Finance, Law and Economics, Development Economics, and more. He holds key positions such as Co-Chairman of the Ecological Transition Fund of FPIM and Chairman of Trividend and Gigarant. With numerous publications and active engagement in public debates, Koen Schoors significantly impacts economic policy in Flanders and Belgium.

In his new book ‘Everything is changing… and better’, economics professor Koen Schoors sets out his inspiring vision of the future.

Fabrice De Windt is a senior executive with more than 25 years of experience in the IT and telecom industry. He is currently the CEO of Proximus NXT IT and the Corporate Segment Lead, where he is responsible for driving an ambitious revenue growth plan by focusing on innovation that Proximus NXT can bring to its customers and on continuously improving the way Proximus NXT operates and engages with them.

Stijn Bijnens, CEO of the Proximus Group, started his career by creating the network security company NetVision (renamed Ubizen later on). In 2008 he was appointed CEO of the Limburgse Reconversie Maatschappij (LRM). Before joining Proximus, he was the CEO of the Belgian ICT company Cegeka since 2019, where he managed to position the company to be one of the leading ICT companies in Belgium and Europe.

Ariane Berckmoes is the Chief Digital Transformation Officer at Ethias, where she leads the organisation’s strategic digitalisation and transformation initiatives. Her role involves overseeing cross-functional transformation projects, aligning business and IT strategies, and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Jan Smedts leads Digitaal Vlaanderen, the Flemish Government's digital transformation agency. As a trusted partner to public administrations, the agency drives digital sovereignty, coordinates cybersecurity policy through the Flemish Centre for Digital Security, and promotes responsible AI adoption via competence centres, readiness programmes, and practical deployments.

Major General Pierre Ciparisse became Commander of the Belgian Cyber Force in September 2025. After graduating from the Royal Military Academy as a polytechnical engineer, he served as instructor in satellite communication systems, deployed in Albania with AFOR II, and later commanded the Para-Commando Signal Platoon. He held several key positions at the General Intelligence and Security Service (SGRS), including Head of Technical Collection, and played a central role in major modernization programs such as BEST (BElgian Soldier Transformation). He also commanded the 4th CIS Group, supporting both international operations and national security missions. From 2021 onwards, he was deeply involved in building Belgium’s Cyber capabilities, first as head of the SGRS Cyber Directorate and later as Deputy Commander of the newly created Cyber Command, before taking full command of the Cyber Force in 2025.

Jannes Labaere is the Chief Information Officer at Plopsa Group, where he leads IT strategy and digital transformation. With over 15 years of experience as an IT Project Manager and Service Manager, Jannes is known for a customer-centric approach, simplifying complex challenges, and building lasting relationships. Their expertise ensures Plopsa’s technology supports business goals and operational excellence.

Prof Dr Paul Timmers is a research associate at the University of Oxford, Oxford Internet Institute, professor at European University Cyprus, visiting professor at KU Leuven and the University of Rijeka, senior advisor EPC Brussels, President of the Supervisory Board Estonian eGovernance Academy and CEO of iivii. He holds a PhD in physics, an MBA, and a cybersecurity qualification from Harvard. His work focuses on digital policy, European geopolitics, and sovereignty.

Bert Van Thilborgh is a renowned Belgian trendwatcher, strategic futurist, and founder of the trend agency Futureproved Trendwatchers. With his expertise, he helps companies and organizations prepare for societal and technological changes. He is active as a speaker, lecturer, and author, known for his inspiring keynotes and sharp analyses of emerging trends.

As Enterprise Security Architect at Proximus, Peter Spiegeleer leads the Cyber Security Reinforcement Program’s architectural governance. With 20+ years in IT across telecoms, finance, and the public sector, he specialises in enterprise architecture, GRC, and IT security. He’s experienced in leading large consulting projects, aligning technology with business strategy, and communicating complex solutions to stakeholders.

As a 5G Business Development Manager, Jurgen is known for translating complex technological evolutions into tangible business opportunities.

As Sales Director at Proximus NXT, Reinout leads digital transformation initiatives across the public sector and healthcare, helping organizations stay ahead in technological innovation.

With deep expertise in digital security, Jeremy plays a pivotal role in shaping cybersecurity strategies and promoting resilient digital infrastructures across the public sector.

Anthony Belpaire is a general manager and product innovator, currently serving as Head of Artificial Intelligence at BNP Paribas Fortis. He leads a central AI organization, delivering transformative applications across retail, private, and corporate banking segments.

Wilhelmine manages key client relationships and drives sales initiatives to align with Proximus NXT's strategic goals. Additionally, she is a passionate advocate for Women in Tech.

Anne-Christine is a Sales Key Account Management for Financial Services customers of Proximus NXT. With a strong focus on building strategic partnerships, Anne-Christine drives growth by delivering tailored solutions that align with the evolving needs of the financial sector.

Jesper is an accomplished leader with extensive experience across technologies, information & cybersecurity and strategic counsel. He currently serves as Chief Security Officer (EMEA North) at Palo Alto Networks, a position he has held since May 2021. Prior to this, Jesper held senior roles at Maersk Drilling, including Senior Information Security Officer and is a decorated military police veteran. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to proactive risk management, strategic security leadership, and the protection of critical business assets in complex environments.

As an Innovation Manager at UZ Brussel, Sonia Van Dooren is dedicated to fostering transformative ideas and driving forward-thinking initiatives within the healthcare sector. Sonia excels at bridging the gap between emerging technologies and patient-centred solutions, ensuring that innovation translates into real-world improvements for patients, health care professionals, government agencies and the community.

Pauline Neerman is a recognized expert in retail innovation at RetailDetail. Her work bridges the gap between emerging retail trends and transformative technologies, making her a key contributor to conversations on customer experience, operational resilience, and the evolution of the digital workplace.

Steven Vermeulen is CIO and Head of ICT at Digitaal Vlaanderen. Together with his team, he is building a better, more effective, and inclusive digital-first service delivery by the Flemish Government. His mission is to use technology as a catalyst for a modern, accessible, and future-oriented public sector.

Hendrik Blokhuis is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Cisco, passionately building trusted partnerships to drive secure and impactful digitization. With his team of engineers and architects, Hendrik is responsible for educating Cisco's broad ecosystem of partners across the EMEA region. Additionally, he drives innovation by developing new API-driven solutions and managed services.

Sandro Manzo is the Manufacturing Lead at Proximus NXT. He specializes in driving innovation and operational excellence in manufacturing, leveraging technology and strategic insights to help organizations optimize processes and adapt to industry changes.

Koen Vereeken is Global IT Lead, Technology Infrastructure at Bekaert. He specializes in optimizing IT operations, leading digital transformation, and implementing AI-driven solutions for manufacturing. Koen's expertise spans infrastructure management, innovation, and collaboration with academic partners to advance industrial technology and efficiency.

Filip Marchal is Private Cloud Lead at Proximus NXT. He has over twenty years' experience at Proximus NXT in various technical, consultant and management roles dealing with cloud and security.

Steven Ackx is a digital transformation consultant with expertise in cloud, cybersecurity, AI, IoT, and emerging tech. Known for driving innovation and operational efficiency, Steven blends technical insight with business understanding.

Frederic Haegeman leads global initiatives in access control technology, focusing on innovation and security solutions for diverse industries. Frederic's expertise spans international project management, strategic leadership, and advancing Motorola’s position in the security and access control sector.

Gregory Soileux specializes in driving strategic growth and partnerships across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, focusing on cybersecurity solutions and market expansion. Gregory's expertise includes business development, client engagement, and advancing Fortinet’s presence in the security technology sector.

Frank Callewaert is a technology and thought leader who has over 30 years of experience at the CxO level in an international public sector context. He has been working at Microsoft for 26 years and is part of the company's Technology Officers community. As a CTO, Frank connects Microsoft's technology vision with the needs of government and enterprise customers. He anticipates technology trends for the European Union Institutions, Agencies, and Bodies, as well as the Belgian and Luxembourg Customers.

Gwénaëlle Hervé is Public & Sovereign Cloud Lead at Proximus NXT. She leads a team of product managers responsible for developing innovative cloud services in collaboration with technology partners including Microsoft, Google, Thales and Intel among others.

Lionel Van Dongen is a digital transformation and cloud strategy expert, currently serving as CIO of the agricultural cooperative SCAM. With over 20 years of experience, he has held leadership roles at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he led Cloud Economics and FinOps programs across the EMEA region. A graduate of the University of Oxford with an MBA, Lionel combines strategic vision with a pragmatic approach to technology, driving operational performance. At SCAM, he leads the migration to the public cloud, modernization of the information system, NIS2 compliance, and the integration of cloud and AI solutions to support agricultural operations.

Joris Peeters is Chief Information Officer at Umicore, leading digital transformation and IT strategy for the company. He is recognized for driving innovation and operational excellence in the technology sector.

Peter Van den broeck is Account Manager at Proximus NXT, responsible for managing client relationships and supporting business growth through tailored solutions and dedicated customer engagement.

Frédéric Bohet is Sales Key Account Manager at Proximus, specializing in local government clients in Liège and Luxembourg. He is recognized for his client-focused approach, supporting business growth and building strong relationships within the public sector.

David Mobers is Product Manager at Proximus NXT, specializing in SDWAN and secure connectivity solutions. He is recognized for his expertise in product management, supporting public sector and enterprise clients with innovative network and security offerings, and actively contributes to key industry events and collaborative projects.

Thierry Verheggen is Director of ICT at FOD Finance, Belgium. He leads national cybersecurity strategy and regulatory implementation, focusing on infrastructure resilience and digital sovereignty. His work supports federal initiatives to strengthen Belgium’s posture in cybersecurity and AI governance, with emphasis on cross-government collaboration and public sector innovation.

Christophe Kersteens is the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at the agricultural cooperative SCAM. He brings extensive experience from both public and private sectors, specializing in corporate finance, management control, and internal audit. Christophe is recognized for transforming organizations through strategic vision, operational insight, and analytical rigor. As a board member, he promotes responsible governance focused on sustainable value.

Stéphanie De Witte adds value across all touchpoints by creating high-quality digital interactions and tools for smooth communication and immediate feedback. She helps organizations deliver exceptional experiences and strengthen their reputation as customer-centric companies by focusing on customer and employee satisfaction.

Nathan Vanharen is Chief Commercial Officer at RingRing, driving the company's commercial strategy and the development of advanced business-messaging solutions. He is a leading advocate for Rich Communication Services (RCS), helping organizations shift from static communication to conversational, interactive customer engagement.

Bernd Heinen is Senior Product Manager for Corporate Messaging & Identity at Telefónica Germany, specializing in business messaging solutions such as SMS and RCS. He brings extensive experience in product management, mobile payments, and digital strategy, helping organizations innovate in mobile communications and customer engagement.

As the regional lead for customer relationships and success at Nexthink, Epco Pottinga leverages deep expertise in analytics and software development to drive business process improvement. Drawing on experience from leading enterprise software companies such as Celonis, Pegasystems, SAP, and IBM, he blends strategic vision with practical execution—delivering results that foster customer success and sustainable growth.

Antoine leads a team dedicated to delivering Digital Employee Experience and Customer Engagement Solutions to mid-sized and enterprise markets. He is committed to driving excellence and innovation, helping organizations create exceptional workplace experiences.

Johannes Verhauwaert specializes in sales and client engagement, building a commercial strategy for the manufacturing portfolio of Codit and supporting organizations with innovative solutions in digital integration.

Philippe Eloy oversees a team of Key Account Managers for major retail and automotive clients. He focuses on building sector strategies, optimizing sales coverage, ensuring customer satisfaction, supporting digitalization, and balancing retention with innovation.

Stefan Coppens, as Product Manager for SD-WAN, oversees the strategy, development, and management of SD-WAN products and services, ensuring alignment with market needs. His responsibilities include collaborating across teams, supporting sales, and analyzing customer feedback to drive product excellence and market success.

As an experienced security consultant, Stephan Van Dyck helps organizations identify risks, prevent threats, and remain resilient against cyberattacks. His expertise lies in designing and implementing tailored solutions, with a focus on proactive security and leveraging advanced technologies such as the Microsoft ecosystem.

Marco Di Giorgio specializes in supporting public sector digital transformation and strategic partnerships in Brussels. He is recognized for his leadership in driving innovation and operational excellence across government and educational initiatives.

Johan De Geyter helps companies develop digital strategies in domains such as AI, cybersecurity, and digital process innovation, guiding innovation from applied research to prototypes. He joined Sirris after a career as CEO in multiple start-ups and management roles in research institutes and global industries, bridging the gap between innovative technology and new business opportunities.

Chris Beuckeleers is a Sales Director with over 15 years of consistent success in sales management, business development, and coaching. His blend of strategic vision, innovative thinking, and a deep understanding of the sales landscape positions him as a growth leader capable of driving impactful change and delivering sustained results.

Kurt Rommens is Head of Government and Public Sector BeNeLux at Google Cloud, leading digital transformation and cloud innovation for public organizations across Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Following a career of over twenty years in the private sector, during which Jean-Pierre Faber managed organisational, financial, and IT transformation projects for both national and international clients, he was appointed Director of the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) in 2016 for a five-year term, renewed in 2021. In his current role, he oversees the CSSF's operational domains, including human resources, finance, information technology, real estate, and the Data Protection Office (DPO).

Pascal Rogiest, PhD in electromechanical aerospace engineering, former CEO of LuxTrust, former CCO of RHEA Group, and former VP responsible for mergers and acquisitions at SES, has accepted a new challenge in Digital Trust by taking the helm of Clarence, the first Luxembourg State-owned company to offer a truly disconnected sovereign & segregated cloud in Europe, powered by the most powerful AI & Data Management technologies; an unrivalled operational combination in Europe.

Geert Lambrechts is Program Manager at NxtPort, focused on driving the digital transformation of cargo flows for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges community. Leading initiatives that streamline logistics processes, enhance data exchange, and foster collaboration across stakeholders to create a smarter, more connected port ecosystem.
 

Jehan Snyers d’Attenhoven is an ICT change agent with a strong focus on cloud, digital, analytics, and security, driving disruptive innovation in business models. With proven experience in large-scale international ICT projects within industrial sectors, Jehan excels at strategy definition and execution, particularly in cloud platforms, information management, business analytics, and digital collaboration.

As Chief Operating Officer, Quentin is responsible for overseeing daily operations, driving strategic initiatives, and ensuring organizational efficiency at Clabots.

Fabrice Levy-Bruandet is responsible for the business unit PCLT P&L, Strategy, Marketing, Purchase & Logistics for the Q Team Group.

Pierre Delmarcelle oversees warehouse operations and ensures efficient logistics processes within Eggo Kitchen & House.