Teaser Speakers

Isabelle Rollier

European Commission

Policy officer in the Farm...

Isabelle Rollier is a policy officer in the Farm to Fork Strategy Unit, Directorate General for Health and Food Safety. She is responsible for several files related to the Farm to Fork Strategy and in particular as regards its international dimension as well as the Code of Conduct. Mrs Rollier has been working at the Commission on a variety of files since 1999. First she was a veterinary...

https://commission.europa.eu/index_en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-rollier-949989228/

Xavier Marchant

BAN Flanders

Business Executive

https://ban.be/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/xavier-marchant/?originalSubdomain=be

Guillaume Boury

Telos Impact

Impact VC Investor

https://www.telosimpact.com/fr/accueil/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaumeboury/

Romain Faroux

La Ferme Digitale / Pionnier...

COO

Romain Faroux is the CEO of La Ferme Digitale, an association founded in 2016 that promotes innovation and digital technology for efficient, sustainable, and responsible agriculture. An expert in AgTech and Smart Agriculture, he was a pioneer in the use of agricultural drones and specializes in the application of artificial intelligence and data management in farming. A graduate of HEC Paris,...

https://www.lafermedigitale.fr/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/romain-faroux-innovation/?originalSubdomain=fr

Johan Jacobs

FlyBlast

CEO and co-founder

Johan Jacobs is on a mission to improve animal health and performance. He is co-founder of Flyblast, that genetically modifies the Black Soldier Fly to produce functionalized feed ingredients, containing beneficial enzymes, peptides, fatty acids and antioxidants. The Belgian company has already signed two Custom Strain Development partnerships.

https://flyblast.bio/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanjacobsmillibeter/

Sofie Goormachtig

VIB-UGent Center for Plant...

Professor

Sofie Goormachtig leads the Rhizosphere Group, which studies plant root interactions with neighboring organisms and the signaling mechanisms involved. Her research focuses on soybean growth in Flanders, the action of strigolactones in the rhizosphere, the role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, and arbuscular mycorrhizae.

https://goormachtiglab.sites.vib.be/en#/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofie-goormachtig-2548262b7/?originalSubdomain=be

Joris Relaes

ILVO

CEO

Joris Relaes is an agricultural engineer by training. He has served as an advisor to various ministers of agriculture. Since 2014, he has been the head of ILVO. He teaches agricultural policy at KU Leuven and is also the chairman of the Centre for Agricultural History.

https://ilvo.vlaanderen.be/nl/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorisrelaes/

VVL

Veerle Van linden

ILVO

Senior Researcher

As a senior researcher at ILVO, she specializes in assessing sustainable agricultural production using life cycle assessment to improve farms' and the food industry's ecological performance. She adapts methodologies to local contexts and promotes efficient resource and energy use in agriculture, collaborating with ILVO’s Expertise Centre on Agriculture and Climate. Beyond sustainability, she...

https://ilvo.vlaanderen.be/nl/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/veerle-van-linden-5954734/

Koen Uyttenhove

ODYC

Founder ODYC

Koen Uyttenhove has a background in electronics and industrial automation (PhD obtained in 2003). In the early years of his career, he was active in technology development and digital innovation, focusing on IoT solutions, data integration and smart systems in various sectors. His expertise in connectivity, automation and digital transformation made him a driving force behind innovative...

https://odyc.jimdosite.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/koenuyttenhove/

AVG

Ann Van Gysel

CEO at NewCo flanders.bio x...

CEO

Ann Van Gysel is the CEO of NewCo, a strategic alliance between flanders.bio and MEDVIA, dedicated to advancing innovation in healthcare and life sciences. With a PhD in Molecular Biology from Ghent University and postgraduate degrees in Business Management and Marketing, she has held key leadership positions at VIB and flanders.bio, where she played a pivotal role in driving growth and...

https://www.flanders.bio/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/annvangysel/

ODM

Olivier de Matos

CropLife Europe

Director General

Olivier de Matos is the Director General of CropLife International, an organization representing the agricultural science industry. He advocates for sustainable and innovative farming, promoting technological solutions to feed a growing population while protecting the environment.

https://croplifeeurope.eu/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivier-de-matos-37307a9/

DCF

Diego Canga Fano

EUROPEAN COMMISSION...

Director

An EU official since 1991, he has divided his career between legal and political roles. As a lawyer at the EU Council’s Legal Service for over a decade, he pleaded 60 cases before the EU Court of Justice. He then held various political and managerial positions, notably working with Loyola de Palacio and Antonio Tajani, serving as Tajani’s chief of staff at both the European Commission and the...

https://european-union.europa.eu/index_en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-canga-fano-167b431a/

Stijn Bossin

Boerenbond

Director of Entrepreneurship...

Stijn Bossin is Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Boerenbond and plays a key role in supporting farmers and horticulturists in the many challenges and opportunities in the sector. With a strong focus on sustainability, digitalisation and economic resilience, he helps shape innovative solutions and collaborations and focuses on stimulating entrepreneurship, translating research into...

https://www.boerenbond.be/homepagina

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stijn-bossin-83b65b238/

Carlo Boutton

Biotalys

Chief Scientific Officer

Carlo Boutton obtained his PhD in 1999 at the University of Leuven (Belgium) on a subject that investigated the physico-chemical behavior of proteins under high-electromagnetic (laser) fields. After his PhD he joined Algonomics, a small start-up that focused on rational design of therapeutics in the broad field of immunotherapy. In 2003 he moved to Tibotec (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson)...

https://www.biotalys.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlo-boutton-a4a0121/

Adrienne Gentil

Valorial

European Project coordinator

XLDC

Xavier Lapeyre de Cabanes

Ministry of Europe and...

French Ambassador to the...

Xavier Lapeyre de Cabanes, French Ambassador to Belgium, plays a key role in strengthening Franco-Belgian relations. A seasoned diplomat, he has held strategic positions worldwide and is actively working to enhance political, economic, and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

https://be.ambafrance.org/-francais-

https://www.linkedin.com/in/xavier-lapeyre-de-cabanes-88701348/

Emmanuel Petel

European Commission Dg AGRI

Environmental policy...

Emmanuel Petel is a policy officer at the Environmental Sustainability Unit of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI). He focuses on integrating environmental concerns into the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), particularly regarding soil health, carbon sequestration, and the promotion of nature-based practices like agroforestry and...

https://commission.europa.eu/index_en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-petel-381ba01a4/

Bogdan Costea

Carmeuse

Agriculture Business...

Dr. Bogdan Costea is a passionate and enthusiastic leader, highly motivated and recognized for his professionalism. With proven experience in guiding teams to reach their full potential, he specializes in agribusiness, demand creation, and possesses extensive technical and business development expertise. Holding a Ph.D. in Agronomy (Agrochemistry, Agrotechnics, and Soil Science), he excels in...

https://www.carmeuse.com/eu-fr

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bogdan-costea-631772aa/

Kris Dewinter

ABN AMRO N.V.

Head of Corporate Finance

https://www.abnamro.be/fr/index.html

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-dewinter-5a52b51/?originalSubdomain=be

Herwig Ranner

European Comission

European Comission DG Agri

After studying zoology, marine biology, and marine biogeochemistry and climate change in Vienna, Marseille, the Dutch Oceanographic Institute, and the Free University of Brussels, he worked for environmental NGOs, a Member of the European Parliament, and the European Seaports Organisation before joining the Commission. Since 2012, he has been negotiating agriculture for the EU at UNFCCC climate...

https://commission.europa.eu/about/departments-and-executive-agencies/agriculture-and-rural-development_en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/herwig-ranner-434713225/

Olivier Rabartin

DANONE

Country Sales Lead BeLux

https://www.danone.be/fr

https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivier-rabartin-67521b5/

Geert Maesmans

Cargill

VP Research & Development

Geert is an activist and practitioner in food industry innovation. A business leader with a deep passion for research and science, he enjoys building high-impact teams—bringing together colleagues and stakeholders to transform knowledge into tangible value. Geert represents Cargill at industry associations, research consortia and start-ups. He is board member at the European Specialty Food...

https://www.boortmalt.com/fr

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvanrmschaepman/

SDDC

Sébastien Dumont de Chassart

Redebel Regulatory Affairs

General Manager

Passionate managing director of companies supporting the Research & Development strategies in Agriculture, Plant Healthcare and Environmental protection.

https://www.redebel.be/en/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastiendumontdechassart/?originalSubdomain=be

Ilaria Ciabatti

European Commission

Policy officer & Team Leader

Ilaria Ciabatti is policy officer and team leader in the European Commission, DG Health and Food Safety, Unit Biotechnology. Biochemist and biotechnologist by education, with 30 years of experience in food safety and health, she currently leads the scientific work of the team in the development and management of legislation in the area of biotechnology, in particular in relation to new...

https://commission.europa.eu/index_en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilaria-ciabatti-518381205/?originalSubdomain=be

MDL

Marc De Loose

ILVO

Scientific director

Marc De Loose, PhD in Sciences and expert in plant biotechnology, is Scientific Director at the Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries Research (ILVO) in Flanders, overseeing product quality and innovation. He is also a guest professor at Ghent University, teaching food and feed safety related to GMOs. His expertise focuses on GMO detection and assessment, bioethics, and food authenticity,...

https://ilvo.vlaanderen.be/nl/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-loose-40741251/

IVD

Inge Van Daele

Aphea.Bio

Portfolio & ESG Manager

Inge is responsible for the Company’s Portfolio Management. Before joining Aphea.Bio, Inge was employed at Biotalys between 2010 and 2022, where she held different positions in R&D with a strong expertise in managing the development and registration of a biofungicide product. Before joining Biotalys, she worked as a scientist at VIB and ILVO (Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture,...

https://aphea.bio/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/inge-van-daele-a21a0259/

David Clarinval

Belgian Federal Government

Deputy Prime Minister and...

David Clarinval, born on January 10, 1976, in Dinant, is a Belgian politician and a member of the Reformist Movement (MR). He has served multiple times as Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in the Wilmès I & II, De Croo, and De Wever governments. In February 2025, he joined the De Wever government as Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister, overseeing Employment, Economy, and Agriculture. He is also...

https://gouvernement-federal.be/fr/

https://x.com/davidclarinval/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-clarinval-2651105/

https://www.facebook.com/DavidClarinvalMR/

https://www.instagram.com/davidclarinval/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5DFnsXR7hRCBkBgp2VSKw

Annelies Bogaerts

Fishway

CDO PhD in Biology

Annelies Bogaerts, PhD in Biology, has expertise in life sciences and biotech, specializing in animal health and food tech. At Fishway, she leads strategic planning, product innovation, regulatory compliance, and grant and IP writing, focusing on innovation and sustainability.

https://fishway.be/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/annelies-bogaerts-72280a43/

Pierre Donck

Paleo

Chief Business Officer

Pierre Donck joined Paleo in early 2024, driven by a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to shaping a sustainable future for food production. With his extensive experience in the alternative protein sector, Pierre now leads Paleo’s commercial team, overseeing the launch of its highly functional heme proteins in diverse markets. Having always been intrigued by the evolving landscape of the...

https://paleo.bio/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierre-donck-8758a89/

Nina Kellner

Flanders' FOOD

Junior innovation manager

In 2021, Nina graduated from UGent. For the next year and a half, she stayed at the university, where she researched the impact of chronic mycotoxin exposure on our health. In 2023, she started working as junior innovation manager at Flanders' FOOD. Here she works on the projects under the 'New and Shifting Resources' programme. Her experience as a scientific researcher and her interest in...

https://www.flandersfood.com/en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-k-3988aa147/

Benjamin Laga

Protealis

CEO

Benjamin Laga is CEO of Protealis, a pioneering seed breeding & seed technology company dedicated to developing high-performance soybean and legume varieties tailored for N-European farmers. With a strong background in R&D, agribusiness and technology, he leads Protealis in its mission: growing more sustainable plant proteins for Europe while creating new opportunities for European farmers to...

https://www.protealis.com/fr

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-laga/

Marion Bloemendal

Danone Belgium

Head of milk

https://www.danone.be/fr

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marion-bloemendal-51a7364/

Tristan Brancaz

AgroParisTech

Tristan Brancaz joined the Ferme de Grignon in 2020 as a research associate in experimentation and an apprentice at ISARA Lyon, focusing on large-scale crop trials, particularly within the Trajectoire agronomic platform. Passionate about innovation, he explored new technologies, sensors, and inputs in the field. His curiosity led him to Farm’InnLab, an initiative by AgroParisTech supporting...

https://www.agroparistech.fr/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristan-brancaz/

SVP

Sjouke Van Poucke

SYN+

CEO & founder

Dr. Sjouke Van Poucke is the founder of SYN+, a consultancy firm specializing in the poultry and swine industry. With a team of three technicians and two veterinarians, the company provides on-site farm support, conducts climate and hygiene audits, and carries out contract research and applied studies. Since 2022, SYN+ has also been recognized by Belpork as an antibiotic coach. After earning...

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjoukev/?originalSubdomain=be

Patrick Hubert

BOORTMALT - Maltchies

Commercial Lead Food...

https://www.boortmalt.com/fr

https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-hubert-55986410/

GVR

Geert Van Royen

ILVO

Scientific Expert on Product...

Geert Van Royen works in the Food Pilot of the Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO) as Scientific Expert on Product Quality and Innovation. He graduated as Bio-engineer in Chemistry at Ghent University and holds a PhD in Science Chemistry from Ghent University. At ILVO, he is project leader in the Food Pilot of several projects on product innovation, quality and...

https://ilvo.vlaanderen.be/nl/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/geert-van-royen-1a474472/

An Michiels

CropXR

Member of The Supervisory...

An Michiels is an innovative and inspirational leader with 15 years of experience in the Ag Tech sector. She specializes in biotechnology, agronomy, crop production, and sustainable agriculture, with expertise in seeds, IPM, native traits, indoor farming, digital farm management, and data analytics. A former CEO who successfully launched a tech company in the United States, she has extensive...

https://cropxr.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/an-michiels-60615b5/

Bernard Naron

ABN AMRO N.V.

Head of Commercial Development

https://www.abnamro.be/fr/index.html

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernardnaron/overlay/photo/

Jeremy Belzunces

IBMA - International...

Technical Project Manager

Jérémy joined IBMA in 2022. He demonstrates more than 10 years of experience in EU agricultural affairs in the diplomatic and business areas. Jeremy worked for six years in the diplomatic field, advising various governmental and industry bodies on the development of EU agricultural policies and the EU sanitary and phytosanitary framework. He also served as a Delegate to the OECD Committee for...

https://ibma-global.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-belzunces-37b71211/

Kim Hertegonne

flanders.bio

Program Manager Agrifood

https://www.flanders.bio/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-hertegonne/

Oana Dima

EU-SAGE

Science Policy Manager

Oana Dima monitors European and international policies related to plant improvement through cutting-edge genome editing technology. As part of a shared advocacy approach, she facilitates the activities of the European Sustainable Agriculture through Genome Editing (EU-SAGE) network, which unites over 150 research institutes and associations across Europe. Passionate about scientific innovation,...

https://vib.be/nl

https://www.linkedin.com/in/oana-dima-08340995/

Stef Denayer

Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant

Stakeholder Relations Manager

Experienced manager with a demonstrated history of working in the environmental services industry. Skilled in Bio-Economy, Cleantech, Circular Economy, Energy Transition, Waste & Biomass, Climate Awareness and Marketing & Sales Management. Strong business development professional with a Master of Engineering (chemistry) and specialised studies in Environmental Management & Technologies at...

https://www.bbeu.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stef-denayer/

Mathias Herman

Orange Business

Business Development Manager

Mathias Hermann is an experienced Business Development Manager with a proven track record in the information technology and services industry. He has demonstrated expertise in driving business growth, developing Go-to-Market strategies, bid preparation, and building strategic partnerships. Known for his strong skills in mobile communications and results-oriented approach, Mathias has played a...

https://business.orange.be/en/soletraders

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathias-herman-5539741/?originalSubdomain=fr

Tom Viaene

VIB

New Ventures Manager | VIB –...

As New Venture Manager at VIB’s Innovation & Business team, I help turn cutting-edge discoveries into impactful biotech startups. I focus on the intersection of agriculture, microbiology, and synthetic biology, building ventures that address some of the most pressing challenges in food systems and planetary health. I'm always open to connecting with founders, researchers, and investors...

www.linkedin.com/in/tom-viaene

Nathalie Guillaume

DANONE

General Secretary &...

Since earning her bioengineering master’s degree in 1996, Nathalie Guillaume has held key roles in the food industry, including at FEVIA and Danone. Since May 2024, she has been Secretary General and Sustainability Director for Danone Benelux. A board member in several organizations, she became FEVIA President in late 2024. Committed to sustainability, she has led impactful initiatives and was...

https://www.danone.be/fr

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-guillaume-5582378/

Salomé Falise

AgroParisTech

Responsable of the Food’Inn...

A graduate in agri-food engineering with a Master’s in Project Management from ESCD 3A, she is passionate about sustainable food systems. She believes responsible production, ethical sourcing, and waste reduction are key to driving change across the food chain. Convinced that education and innovation are powerful catalysts, she works to inform, raise awareness, and equip individuals with the...

https://www.agroparistech.fr/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/salom%C3%A9-falise-36223a132/?originalSubdomain=fr

Isabelle Laquiere

Federal Public Service...

Regulatory expert novel foods

Isabelle Laquiere graduated with a degree in Bioscience Engineering at the Catholic University of Leuven in 1997. She spent first seven years gaining experience in academia, the pharmaceutical sector and agrifood industry. In 2005, she joined the Federal Public Service of Public health, where she co-coordinated Belgium’s first National food and health plan. Since 2013, she has been responsible...

https://www.health.belgium.be/fr

https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-laquiere-24b26a38/

Dries Raymaekers

VITO

Research lead phenotyping

Dries holds a Master’s degree in Agricultural Engineering from KU Leuven and an Advanced Master’s in GIS and Remote Sensing from KU Leuven and Purdue University. Passionate about drones, he explores how they are transforming industries by delivering accurate, real-time data for better decision-making.

https://vito.be/en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dries-raymaekers-9bb68b2/

Chloe Stefani

LVMH & CCI France Belgium

General Manager Moët...

Chloé Stefani has been President of CCI France Belgique since June 2023, following her role as a board member since 2021. As General Manager of Moët Hennessy Belux at LVMH since 2018, she specializes in luxury and wines & spirits. Committed to developing young talent, she supports Belgium's 40 under 40. Her corporate governance expertise is enhanced by training at Solvay Executive Education and...

https://www.ccifrancebelgique.be/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-stefani/?originalSubdomain=be