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DETAILLED AGENDA

CONVENIENT | TIME EFFECTIVE | ACTIONABLE

Since inception in 2012, the HR Leadership Summit has gained an outstanding reputation for presenting, year after year,  an line-up of exceptional speakers – inspiring CHROs, influential HR trailblazers, maverick forward-thinkers and visionary industry experts. Learn from those who are harnessing the power of  talent centricity and organizational effectiveness to definitely change the rules of the business, societal and human game, well beyond the traditional perimeters.

13:00 – 13:30

WELCOME – REGISTRATION

Guests are welcome to join from 12:30 onwards. Once you have got your badge, enjoy a drink and meet + connect with peers before the Summit starts.

This will also be the opportunity to review the program and select the sessions you find the most appealing to you.

13:30 – 15:00

KEYNOTE ADDRESSES (PART 1)

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Through a plenary set up, a first selection of keynote speakers will set the scenes of the Summit 2025 with a practical and enlightening tone.

Keynote speakers and panelists will share their respective views on what HR Leaders should operate today, and which HR assets should be re-invented or at last optimized to generate immediate value. They will also challenge how to build critical capabilities outside the conventional spheres. Moreover, they will envision where to go on the offensive to ignite workforce engagement, boost productivity, foster agility and amplify employee experience.

Keynote 1 

RE-INVENTING LEADERSHIP IN TIMES OF TRANSFORMATION

Artificial intelligence, new working and operating models, new multi-generational challenges and profound societal and political shifts are deeply reshaping what organisations expect from their leaders. Specific elements of leadership models are evolving quickly and sometimes re-invented, but some others not. What makes the difference, and how to embrace those dilemmas in developing leaders in times of constant change? This keynote will bring a deep reflection around 2 real-life cases from Solvay and D’Ieteren.

Keynote Speakers: Laura Garcia Marian, Culture & Development Manager at D’Ieteren | Laurence Cornet, Global Head of Talent & Culture, Solvay | Barbara Vandermaesen, Managing Partner at Humind Consulting | Caroline Modave, Partner at Humind Consulting.


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Keynote 2 

THE PATH TO TOTAL HR RE-INVENTION

When the geo-political, economical and societal forces create many challenges but also many opportunities, it is a unique moment for HR departments to drastically re-invent their work model, work organization, technology-human convergence and meaningful employee experiences to respond to evolving employee expectations and business imperatives, all this outside the conventional spheres.

Keynote Speakers: Geneviève Petit, Head of HR, Ericsson; NewGen HR Leader of the Year 2025 | Mark Van Bijsterveld, Chief People Officer, Solvay | Valérie Nerinckx, Chief HR Officer, Materialise | Steven Scheers, Chief HR Officer, Gaming1


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Keynote 3 

EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE RE-INVENTED: CONNECTING INSIGHTS TO BUSINESS OUTCOMES

Employee Experience (EX) is key to attracting and retaining talent, yet it’s still hard to measure and act on effectively in different people management processes. Agentic AI, combined with behavioural science, enables HR to effectively analyse public data and deliver actionable insights, eliminating the need for traditional, costly surveys and accelerating strategic impact. This keynote will explore real-life scenarios, challenges and opportunities from Arvesta and Johnson & Johnson.

Keynote Speakers: Karin Van Roy, Chief HR Officer, Arvesta | Gert Quintiens, Global Head of Talent Acquisition, Finance, Global Services, TechOps & Risk EMEA, Johnson & Johnson | Facilitator: Katarina Coppé, Chief Commercial Officer, Welliba.

15:00 – 16:45

CHRO MASTER CLASSES

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Every year, the program of the HR Leadership Summit includes a series of top-level Master Classes that deliver both strategic insight and critical nuance on emerging trends, new technologies, inspiring cases, etc.

Held in 3 streams of parallel sessions and in partnership with leading providers, Master classes combine vision, expertise and guidance in an easily digestible and time-convenient format.

Explore the program below and select the master classes of your choice!

Stream 1  ||  15:05 – 15:35  ||  Master Class MC1.1  ||  Organized with Deloitte

PAY FOR PERFORMANCE: (RE)DESIGNING IMPACTFUL BONUS PLANS

Traditional bonus plans are being challenged by new expectations and regulations. This masterclass examines how annual bonus incentives can be seamlessly integrated into modern HR strategies by exploring the essential do’s and don’ts when implementing an annual bonus plan, the impact of the EU Pay Transparency Directive, and the importance of effective communication.  It will also address how to leverage KPIs with a focus on ESG, and the benefits of maintaining a simple bonus plan aligned with the company strategy.  With tax reforms ahead of us, this session also delves into legal considerations and tax efficiencies in the Belgian landscape.

Masters: Anke Elsen, Director Global Employer Services, Deloitte | Aurélie Michiels, Director Global Employer Services


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Stream 1  ||  15:05 – 15:35  ||  Master Class MC1.2  ||  Organized with Strada

MASTERING PEOPLE ANALYTICS: ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEXT WAVE?

Leading with people data and AI-driven analytics has become critical for building a culture of trust and transparency, justifying decisions, making proactive changes and making a difference. This masterclass will explore:

  • Showing the value: presenting the right facts to the right people (C-suite members, HR administration, finance, ..) in distinct ways
  • From descriptive to prescriptive: how different types of reporting span from revealing previous trends to detecting and recommending proactive measures for the future
  • Analytics maturity: what is the organization’s current maturity level, and what could be the next level?
  • Use cases that matter:concrete examples of how organizations use analytics to deliver business impact

Master: Marjolein Van Parijs, Pre-Sales Consultant, Strada

Stream 2  ||  15:40 – 16:10  ||  Master Class MC2.1  ||  Organized with Deloitte

HAPPINESS AS A COMPASS: THE 6 DRIVERS THAT SHAPE AND DEFINE WORK HAPPINESS

Projected to make up 74% of the total global workforce by 2030, Gen Z and millennials are a defining force. For organizations aiming to attract and retain talent in today’s competitive market, embracing insights into the interests and needs of younger workers is essential to remain relevant. Each generation brings values, attitudes, and beliefs that shape what makes them happy in the workplace. More than seeking just a job, new generations look for meaningful work, well-being and the right balance between stability and agility. This masterclass will explore the 6 drivers of work happiness and zoom-in on the impact of GenAI, the need to revise skills development practices, and the value in reshaping the role of managers.

Masters: Nathalie Vandaele, North South East Europe Human Capital Leader, Deloitte | Helena Van Loon, Consultant HR Strategy and Technology, Deloitte


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Stream 2  ||  15:40 – 16:10  ||  Master Class MC2.2  ||  Organized with Valpeo

AGILITY WITH A HUMAN FACE

In a world of disruption and a unique context, P&V has radically embedded agility and purpose. Through a predictive and holistic approach, they redesigned the organization by reshaping some key roles: from silos to collaboration,and  from managers as experts to leaders as people developers.

This session wil explore a real-world case that shows how to unleash people not as task executors, but instead as true value creators with higher capability, motivation, cultural alignment, and team cohesion.

Masters: Ann Bayart, Chief HR Officer, P&V Group | Filip De Cuyper, Equity Partner, Valpeo


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Stream 2  ||  15:40 – 16:10  ||  Master Class MC2.3  ||  Organized with ICF

MADE IN BELGIUM: UNLOCKING THE POWER OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY THROUGH COACHING

Developed in Belgium and recognized worldwide, Prof. Philippe Rosinski’s groundbreaking intercultural coaching approach will show how cultural diversity can be leveraged at the individual, team, organizational, and societal levels. Drawing on more than 40 years of international experience, influential books (Coaching Across Cultures, Global Coaching), thought-provoking articles and acclaimed seminars, Philippe will explore how HR leaders can harness cultural differences as powerful levers for creativity, sustainable performance, and purpose — supporting the “Total HR Re-invention” needed to guide people, business, and society into the future.

Master: Philippe Rosinski, Global Leadership Developper; Author of bestseller ‘Coaching across cultures’.

Stream 3  ||  16:15 – 16:45  ||  Master Class MC3.1  ||  Organized with Deloitte

LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO DRIVE PAY EQUITY WITHIN THE EU DIRECTIVE

This masterclass will delve into the transformative role of technology in achieving pay equity and transparency, in line with the EU Pay Transparency Directive. It will explore various market options and configurations for integrating pay equity solutions within existing HRIS landscapes, whether building in-house systems or opting for external solutions. The session will feature a live demonstration of the Deloitte Pay Equity Platform, showcasing its bi-directional integration with Workday and SAP SuccessFactors. Such a platform allows for all calculations and insights to be seamlessly integrated into HRISs and daily processes, enhancing transparency and equity in  reward practices.

Masters: Timothy Bruneel, Partner Global Employer Services, Deloitte | Steven Plehier, Sr. Director HR Technology & Transformation, Deloitte


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Stream 3  ||  16:15 – 16:45  ||  Master Class MC3.2  ||  Organized with Welliba

THE RELEVANCE OF ENGAGEMENT MEASUREMENT

This masterclass will explore the real power and value of Passive Listening vs. Active Surveys, and how these approaches connect HR to relevant actions and business outcomes. In an era where agility and responsiveness are crucial, this session will be enriched by the cases of Johnson & Johnson and Arvesta, and examine the pros and cons of:

+ Traditional surveys vs. passive data collection

+ Real-time feedback & passive listening technologies

+ Internal & external benchmarking approaches

Masters: Karin Van Roy, Chief HR Officer, Arvesta | Gert Quintiens, Global Head of Talent Acquisition, Finance, Global Services, TechOps & Risk EMEA Johnson & Johnson | Katarina Coppé, Chief Commercial Officer, Welliba


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Stream 3  ||  16:15 – 16:45  ||  Master Class MC3.3  ||  Organized with Accent

STRATEGIC WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT: FROM EXCEL CHAOS TO FUTURE-PROOF ORGANIZATION

Companies that align their people strategy with their business strategy perform up to four times better. But sometimes things go wrong: schedules are scattered in Excel files, employees receive their shifts at the last minute, temporary staff are called in vain, and no-shows are only noticed too late. This btraditionally results in stress, frustration, and unnecessary costs. This masterclass will examine:

  • Why and how to manage your workforce differently
  • How to deploy people smartly and efficiently
  • What the impact is on cost structure
  • Which tools really strengthen collaboration between employers, employees and HR partners

The session will be articulated around the success story of Befood.

Master: Lien Byttebier, Chief Commercial Officer, Accent

16:45 – 17:15

CHRO ZONE

NETWORKING & MEETUP TIME

17:15 – 19:45

KEYNOTE ADDRESSES (PART 2)

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Guests will come back in plenary set up for a second selection of inspiring keynote speakers and panelists.

Keynote speakers and panelists will share their respective views on what HR Leaders should operate today, and which HR assets should be optimized to generate immediate value. They will also challenge how to build critical new skills and digital capabilities outside the conventional spheres. Moreover, they will envision where to go on the offensive to ignite workforce engagement, boost productivity, foster agility and amplify employee experience.

This second part of the plenary program is organized in VIP roundtables while participants will enjoy a light dinner with a selection of wines.

Keynote 4 

FROM HUMAN RESOURCES TO HUMAN SOURCES: CREATING MORE VALUE WITH PEOPLE, FROM WITHIN

Too often, HR is stuck in reaction mode: fixing problems, tweaking policies, chasing engagement scores? etc. But what if the real issue is not an operational one, but a developmental one? What if the question is not what people do, but instead why they grow and how they create value. This is the shift HR must imperatively make within their re-invention journey: from control to co-creation, from outputs to growth from within, and from managing people to truly unleashing them.

Keynote Speaker: Filip De Cuyper, Equity Partner, VALPEO


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Keynote 5 

IS YOU WORKFORCE READY FOR TOMORROW?

The World Economic Forum’s Jobs Report 2025 revealed that 85% of CEOs identify workforce capability as one of their top strategic priorities. But many also admit that they don’t get sufficient answers from HR. So, how to change this? How should HR and business leaders work together to identify the resources and critical skills that will make strategy execution possible? How to build a resilient talent ecosystem -upskilling, reskilling, talent development, internal mobility, and smart acquisition – that does not just keep the workforce pace, but that stays ahead?

This is not just an HR agenda, it’s a business survival agenda. And the companies that crack this code will not only execute their strategies—they’ll reinvent the future of work.

Keynote Speaker: Bert Van Rompaey, Chief HR Officer, Partena Professional


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Reflection Time & Meal 

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS AND EXPERIENCE SHARING

Enjoy a reflection break to share views with peers at your VIP table, challenge respective views, comment on the last keynotes, share experiences and refine your beliefs while enjoying a light dinner with appetizers and a selection of wines.


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Keynote 6 

THE PRODUCTIVITY PARADOX: WHEN MORE BECOMES LESS

When more becomes the enemy of speed, focus and growth, HR departments face a complex productivity paradox to strip away complexity and unlock the full potential of their people and their organization as a whole. This keynote session will explore some tough questions when HR is being re-invented: When does “More” stop you from being “Better” ?  Why does scaling so often create inertia instead of speed ?  Why is there often an invisible ceiling on ‘Profit per FTE’ ?  Why do we tend to lose focus, ownership and agility along the way ? And most importantly : how to turn the tide?

Keynote Speakers: Yves Van Durme, EMEA Human Capital Sustainability Leader, Deloitte | An Van Landeghem, Director HR Strategy & Technology, Deloitte


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Keynote 7 

THE NEW PERIMETERS OF CHRO EXECUTIVE PRESENCE

CHROs are increasingly being told they must demonstrate “executive presence”. Today, CHRO executive presence is largely defined as the capability to project credibility, trust and strategic vision, and articulate the organization’s people strategy with the business strategy and objectives. Besides a deep understanding of human capital, CHRO executive presence also includes the art of influence coupled with the capacity to provide quick and practical advice under pressure, and the authority to advise both the CEO and the Board of Directors on all people-related matters – value, cost, productivity, regulation, among many others.

Keynote Speakers: Caroline Anberrée, Global VP HR, TD Williamson; CHRO of the Year 2023 | Inge Diels, Managing Partner People & Purpose, Deloitte Belgium | Geert Aelbrecht, Global CHRO, Besix Group; CHRO of the Year 2025 | Joëlle Boxus, CHRO, Hebo; Fr. Chief HR Officer, Syensqo

19:45 – 21:00

CHRO ZONE

COCKTAIL | NETWORKING | MEETUP TIME