Biographies of Speakers:

INGE ARENTS 

• After a short period as a medical representative in the field of statins and immunity boosters, Inge started at Vandemoortele in 1993. She worked in product and process development for professional margarine (for artisan and industrial clients) for ten years and was involved in a large number of acquisitions during that period.
• She transferred to the then IWT (now VLAIO) in 2003 where she was an advisor for innovation project applications for food companies and agricultural research. She also coordinated the research program for knowledge sharing from universities and colleges. As Account Manager, she also monitored the innovation platforms and was the national contact person for Horizon 2020.
• In 2016, Inge seized the opportunity to become managing director of Flanders’ FOOD, a decision she certainly does not regret. This role allows her to combine her experience at both the Flemish and international level.
• Her main goal is to encourage the Flemish food industry to innovate even more and better, and to keep investing in research, development and innovation. Inge believes in the power of people, collaboration in particular: preferably from different backgrounds, expertises and knowledge.
• https://www.flandersfood.com/en

TERRA FOUNDATION

• This is a Netherlands- based, nonprofit organization that aims to mitigate climate change by supporting, developing, and amplifying community projects established and run by locals to protect, renew, and maintain healthy forest ecosystems. TERRA recognizes that local communities are vital stakeholders in forests, and stewards in their renewal and protection of forests.
• Our mission is to develop community-led initiatives that promote reforestation & soil regeneration to restore fragile ecosystems, reverse biodiversity loss, & generate sustainable economic opportunities for local & indigenous peoples.
• Our Vision is to create an equitable, climate-smart future where indigenous & local peoples are empowered to restore & protect our forests.

ANNE SMIT

• At the Sheltersuit Foundation, we believe that everyone deserves warmth, protection, and dignity. That’s why, since 2014, we’ve been designing and manufacturing multifunctional products that provide immediate shelter to people experiencing homelessness. These products are not intended to replace permanent housing but to serve as a temporary solution when there are no other options.

• Because Sheltersuit is a foundation and its products are given to homeless people for free, donations from individuals and organizations such as the luxury brand Chloé are essential.
• About Anne Smit: she has a background in business development and has been working at the Sheltersuit Foundation for four years, where she is responsible for fundraising and partnerships. This means she frequently speaks at events and connects with partners regarding various types of collaborations to help the foundation make a local impact.
• Her upcoming presentation promises to inspire and leave a lasting impression, as she shares the meaningful work of the foundation and its mission to support those in need! The foundation creates triple impact: providing warmth, creating jobs, and upcycling materials, making it a perfect fit with the theme of the day, ‘Nurture Yourself and Nurture the Earth.’
• https://sheltersuit.com/

KIM SMOLDERS

• Kim was born in Belgium but grew up as a Third Culture Kid. She has lived around the world since the age of 3, and more recently called London her home. This is where her passion for health and well-being started, when working in business development for a health and nutrition company. Her personal healing journey brought her back to Antwerp, where she now works as Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach, both at IMPERIUM and Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp. She studied health coaching at the Institute for Functional Medicine in the US, the leading institute for FM. She is also health and lifestyle writer and supports the Directors of Spa at Botanic in operations.

• https://www.imperiumhealthcoaching.com/credentials
  

• https://be.linkedin.com/in/kim-smolders-fmchc-441042b

• https://www.imperiumhealthcoaching.com/

• https://knokketalks.com/botanic-sanctuary-antwerp-holistische-focus-op-botanisch-welzijn/

DIANE NAVEAU

• Diane Naveau is from New York City, where she obtained her BFA in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design and spent more than 20 years working in the fashion industry as a visual merchandiser and stylist.  Diane founded The Closet Merchant in 2018 to create sustainability in the fashion industry by focusing on personal style, showing how to create more options from what you already own, and promoting sustainable shopping habits. Diane is a member of the American Women’s Club of Antwerp and currently resides in Antwerp, Belgium, with her husband, Paul, and baby, Jean-Jacques.

Dr LUCY ANDREWS 

• Lucy has a Doctorate in Nursing Practice and specializes in Dementia services and care across the continuum. Her scholarly work focused on dementia and delirium and surgical patients across health care settings. She holds a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from Lewis University, Romeoville, Illinois. In 1994, she received her Masters of Science in Health Service Administration from St. Mary’s University in Oakland, California. She is the founder and CEO of Creative Solutions Home Care Consulting Services and At Your Service Home Care, a company that provides the things she believes are essential for seniors to age in place by offering a higher level of service allowing people to be in their homes with an emphasis on independence, safety, and quality of life.

NISHEETA BAJAJ JANSSENS 

• Nisheeta is an executive coach to CEOs and promoters worldwide and a global mindfulness expert with the Art of Living. Over the last 25 years she has advised some of the largest organizations, and coached their CEOs/ promoters. She presently travels to different countries conducting breath-work and energy management workshops for top-teams, sharing techniques that have been researched at Harvard, Yale, etc for 43 years and found to have immediate and dramatic impact. 
• https://www.nisheetabajaj.com/about
• https://in.linkedin.com/in/nisheeta-bajaj-janssens-946ba83
• https://linktr.ee/nisheetabajaj