"Stop deciding for women.
Start creating Opportunities for them”
What is your personal motivation for serving on the SIE Board for 2026/27?
Growing up with three brothers, equality mattered to me from a young age. Over the years I have served at every Soroptimist level: Club President, Union Extension Chair, Union President, and now for a second biennium as SIE Programme Director. I value this role deeply because I can see the real impact of our projects across Europe.
And equality has shaped my journey, and through every role I have held in Soroptimist, I have tried to turn that belief into action – opening doors so that women and girls have the confidence, the opportunities, and the freedom to shape their own future.
What is your vision for a better world?
A better world, to me, is one where women and girls have equal opportunities and the confidence to decide their own path. We must continue strengthening prevention, advocacy and visibility, and ensure our projects are aligned with our mission. My aim is to make our impact measurable and clearly visible at European level.
What do you do to stay motivated in your work? How do you handle challenges or disappointments?
Teamwork. Without hesitation. I have the privilege of working with an exceptional Programme Team, dedicated Board colleagues and the best staff at SIE HQ. The collaboration, mutual support, and shared sense of purpose are incredibly energising.
I am also deeply motivated by the opportunity to highlight and amplify the remarkable projects carried out at club, Union, and European level. Making our impact visible, ensuring that our work is recognised and valued – is a powerful driver for me.
And I like to add that one of the most special moments each year is the Best Practice Awards celebration at our annual Governors’ Meeting. It is incredibly moving to witness the emotions when clubs receive recognition for their dedication and hard work. These moments are about more than certificates – they are about celebrating commitment, compassion, and measurable impact. The awards allow us not only to honour excellence, but to showcase how Soroptimists make a concrete and positive difference.
What is your country doing to support and empower women?
Belgium has strong equality legislation and national action plans against gender-based violence. By ratifying the Istanbul Convention, our country committed to improving prevention and protection, but there is always work to do to make policies felt in daily life.
Tell us about your Soroptimist club! What projects are you most proud of?
My club is strongly integrated in the local community and focuses on hands-on projects. One important milestone was organising, for the first time in my hometown, an informative evening on gender-based violence. In collaboration with other women’s organisations we brought together professionals, including a police officer, a psychologist, and other experts, to explain how violence manifests, how victims can seek help, and what support systems exist. I had the privilege of moderating the evening.
It was the first time this topic was openly put on the local agenda. By creating a safe space for information and dialogue, we helped break the silence and raised awareness in our community. This is how empowerment begins: by informing, connecting, and giving people the knowledge to act.
