Team and boards

Teamwork makes the dream work

At MEDVIA, we believe in the power of collaboration. Together, we foster a vibrant community that accelerates impactful solutions for tomorrow’s health challenges.
Get to know the people working together to connect, support and inspire innovators across the ecosystem.

MEDVIA Team

Ann Van Gysel

Ann Van Gysel

CEO
Roel Smolders

Roel Smolders

Membership Development &
Services Director
Isabelle Francois

Isabelle François

Director Innovation & Strategy
Ines Verbaendert

Ines Verbaendert

Membership Development & Innovation Manager
Walter Van der Eycken

Walter Van der Eycken

Innovation Funding Manager
Johan Lecocq

Johan Lecocq

International Relations Manager
Liz Renzaglia

Liz Renzaglia

Strategic Initiatives Manager
Veronique Van der Elst

Veronique Van der Elst

Project Call Coordinator
Lisa Bradshaw

Lisa Bradshaw

Communications Manager
Mara Long

Mara Long

Communications Specialist
Rita Prota

Rita Prota

Flagship Program Manager
Lindsay Nuytten

Lindsay Nuytten

Event Planner &
Personal Assistant CEO
Amy LeBlanc

Amy LeBlanc

Senior Content Creator
Marc Ost

Marc Ost

Finance Manager
Sofie Desloovere

Sofie Desloovere

Human Resources Manager

Board of Directors 

Herman Verrelst

Chair of the Board, represents FlandersBio
Hippo Dx

Werner Verbiest

Johnson & Johnson

Chris Van Geet

KU Leuven/UZ Leuven
Represents universities KU Leuven, UGent, VUB & UAntwerp

Guy Hans

UZA
Represents university hospitals UZ Antwerp, UZ Brussel, UZ Gent & UZ Leuven

Jan Van Der Schueren

Galapagos

Stefaan Motte

Comate

Ward Servaes

moveUP

Pascal Verdonck

Ghent University
Represents universities UGent, KU Leuven, VUB, UAntwerp & UHasselt

Jerome Van Biervliet

VIB
Represents research institutes VIB, IMEC, VITO & SCK-CEN
SCK CEN
Represents research institutes VIB, IMEC, VITO & SCK CEN

Annie Renders

Vlaio Observer

Innovation Board 

Hugo Van Heuverswyn

AIP
Represents FlandersBio

Dominiek Viaene

Protex Healthcare

Tom Kimpe

Barco

Pieter Slagmolen

Materialise

Sylvie Rottey

UZ Gent
Represents university hospitals UZ Brussel, UZGent, UZA and UZ Leuven

Gert Van Assche

UZ Leuven
Represents university hospitals UZ Brussel, UZGent, UZA and UZ Leuven

Annemarie Van Nieuwenhuijze

Sanofi

Philippe Jorens

UAntwerp
Represents universities UGent, KU Leuven, VUB, UAntwerp and UHasselt

Jef Vandemeulebroucke

VUB
Represents universities UGent, KU Leuven, VUB, UAntwerp and UHasselt

Erwin Sablon

VIB
Represents research institutes VIB, IMEC, VIT and SCK-CEN

Rudi Torfs VITO

VITO
Represents research institutes VIB, IMEC, VITO and SCK-CEN

Filip Vanhavere

SCK CEN
Represents research institutes VIB, IMEC, VIT and SCK-CEN

Koen Beyers Voxdale

Joris Walraevens

Byteflies

Better together

and are joining forces in a brand new organization

The members of MEDVIA and flanders.bio have voted to merge their activities in the first half of 2025. With a united voice, we will champion the entire healthtech and biotech ecosystem on the regional, federal and European stage.

The merger allows MEDVIA and flanders.bio to align activities and deliver more powerful support for our collective members. We will achieve greater impact with more dynamic networking opportunities, better directed funding and increased efficiency, sharpening our focus in common areas and drafting strategic roadmaps for Flanders.