(Gen) AI in Government & Public Services

Marijke Schroos, the General Manager of Microsoft Belgium and Luxembourg, is a seasoned leader with a demonstrated history of working in the computer industry. She possesses extensive experience across various domains, including marketing, sales and partner management, communication, organizational agility and change management. She has a strong track record in business development and growth strategies in both Commercial and Public Sector environments, including EUi and NATO. 

As the General Manager of Microsoft in Belgium and Luxembourg, her mission is to empower every person and organization in the in Belgium and Luxembourg to achieve more with AI. Marijke is a tech-optimist, she firmly believes that AI has the potential to positively impact society, whether in healthcare, education, manufacturing, or the public sector. AI will help us to be more productive and have more time to be more creative.

Marijke is passionate about empowering people to unlock their true potential by understanding their strengths and needs. She supports this mission through mentoring programs and serves as the executive sponsor for Diversity and Inclusion at Microsoft BeLux.

Kathleen Depoorter is a pharmacist and a Belgian federal member of parliament representing the New Flemish Alliance. She serves as a permanent member of the health, equal chances and emancipation committee, contributing to improve national healthcare. Depoorter also holds the role of a substitute member on the foreign affairs committee, where she oversees development cooperation initiatives. She has a role as an alderwoman in the city of Evergem, demonstrating her commitment to local governance and community development.

Hugues Malonne is Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP). He obtained his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 1999. He then earned a Certificate at Harvard Medical School and INSEAD in Paris, and an Executive Master in Management of Health and Care Institutions at the University of Brussels (ULB).

He started his career in academia as a Professor before moving on to the pharmaceutical industry. After a successful international career (in Italy, Luxembourg, Switzerland, China, etc.), he returned to Belgium.

With his expertise in market access, government affairs, public relations, public policy and pharmaceuticals, Hugues Malonne joined the FAMHP in 2017 as Director General. He successively headed the PRE and POST authorisation departments. As of September 2023, he is the Chief Executive Officer of the FAMHP.

Hugues Malonne has a particular interest in addressing drug shortages and exploring innovative therapies, including Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) and vaccines. He is also co-chair of the Steering Board of CMA (Critical Medicines Alliance).

Throughout his career, he has maintained close links with the academic world and continues to teach at ULB and UNamur.

Frank Callewaert is a technology and thought leader with over 33 years of experience at the CxO level within an international public sector context. He has been with Microsoft for more than 28 years, and is part of the company’s Technology Officers community. In his role as Chief Technology Officer for Microsoft Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union Institutions, Frank aligns Microsoft's technological vision with the strategic needs of government and enterprise clients. Additionally, as a Certified Data Protection Officer, Frank assists organizations in achieving their digital objectives while ensuring compliance with data protection and other regulations.

Margot Cloet is managing director of Zorgnet-Icuro, the umbrella organization of Flemish general hospitals, mental health initiatives and not-for-profit elderly care facilities. She has held this position since 2017. Previously, Margot Cloet was successively a counselor, spokesperson, deputy chief of staff and chief of private secretary at various welfare and public health cabinets for 10 years. She’s passionated by healthcare end governance of healthcare systems.