Ghent Metropolitan Area
In the early days of my career and before stepping into the corporate world, I spent several years working at the university and at the Brussels Bar, specializing in employment and social security law. A natural next step brought me into Human Resources — the perfect combination of my legal background and my growing expertise in negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and project management, driven by a practical hands-on mentality and a passion for making a real impact. Since then, I've explored nearly every corner of HR: recruitment, talent development, business partnering, compensation & benefits... all leading to my current role as CHRO. I thrive most in international environments where energy, creativity, and a positive spirit are truly valued, and where good humor is never optional. ✨ My guiding principles: The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion. A goal is just a dream that rolled up its sleeves and got to work. Common sense is like deodorant — the people who need it most, never use it. Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always. 🏆 What I'm proud of: Driving a successful merger at AZORG Breathing fresh air into Beiersdorf’s culture through “The House of People” (=HR) Building strong, lasting social relations with colleagues, management, and trade unions throughout my career
KEY SKILLS: change management & organisational transformation - creative storytelling - people management & mentoring As HR Director at AZORG—the result of a merger between Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Ziekenhuis and Aalsters Stedelijk Ziekenhuis, now the third-largest hospital in Flanders with 5,000 employees—I have led the full HR integration process and continue to oversee all HR operations end-to-end. Key contributions include: * Orchestrated the harmonization of HR tools, processes, and employment conditions across both legacy organizations, ensuring consistency and compliance during a period of significant transformation. * Acted as a strategic change partner, guiding leadership and staff through complex organizational change with empathy and clarity. * Led internal communications and storytelling, translating the merger’s impact into a cohesive narrative that built engagement and trust across all levels. * Negotiated extensively with trade unions, resulting in new collective bargaining agreements and a solid social framework for the merged organization. * Resolved complex legal challenges related to employment law and merger compliance. * Reorganized and empowered the HR team, establishing a new mission, vision, and set of values to align with the hospital’s evolving identity and future goals.
KEY SKILLS: stakeholder collaboration - global project management - strategic workforce planning & organisational design & talent management In this multifaceted role, I held dual responsibilities: (i) I was head of the HR department (including Facilities, PR & Communications) for Beiersdorf Belgium and (ii) I was the HR lead for global HR projects. My focus areas included: * Delivering strategic HR support re organizational design, succession planning, restructuring,.. * Leading end-to-end recruitment, selection, and retention strategies to build high-performing teams. * Coaching line managers and employees on topics such as career development, performance improvement, and exit management. * Overseeing Compensation & Benefits programs to maintain competitiveness and alignment with business goals. * Driving process optimization and operational efficiencies, including headcount management. * Keeping HR practices aligned with evolving social legislation and emerging HR trends. As HR Lead my focus was on Beiersdorf globally : * Global HR projects, such as the European Talent Programme and employee satisfaction surveys. * Cross-location collaboration across Europe, fostering synergies and alignment between regional HR initiatives.
KEY SKILLS: pragmatic problem solving - diplomatic communication - negotiation & conflict resolution This period includes a career break in Spain (2007-2009) as well as a career break for a fashion project (2011). As part of the HR department at Euroclear (3,000 employees), I played a key role in employee relations and employment law, working closely with HR business partners and social partners across the organization. My responsibilities included: * Leading and contributing to impactful HR projects on topics like absenteeism, working time, eco vouchers, and job mobility—handling everything from analysis and risk assessment to negotiations and communication * Drafting collective bargaining agreements (CBA) and preparing HR teams for smooth implementation of new policies * Coordinating key social dialogue moments—Workers Council, Committee for Prevention & Protection at Work, and the European Works Council * Presiding over the union delegation to resolve individual cases and workplace conflicts (e.g. evaluations, benefits, alcohol policies) with fairness and diplomacy * Managing employee warnings and mediating conflicts involving behavioral issues or breaches of internal rules * Supporting cross-location collaboration and reorganizations across Euroclear offices in Amsterdam, Paris, and London