On Saturday 22nd of March, the twelfth edition of TEDxUHasselt, an event of international class organised by eight dedicated students of Hasselt University, will take place. The event will take place at the Diepenbeek campus and the doors will be open from 4pm.
This year's speakers include speakers such as Marc Vael, a global cybersecurity leader, Isabel Verstraete, a recognized growth strategist and Bryan Cassady, a serial entrepreneur and AI expert. Besides inspiring speakers, you can also expect impressive musical interludes. The evening will end with a reception where you can network with other interested parties.
Best of all, the event is free to the public! Registration is still open until 15 March 2025 at www.tedxuhasselt.eu/tickets. The event is the perfect opportunity to network, get new ideas and get yourself inspired by the speakers' stories.
And there is more good news: TEDxUHasselt is the oldest TEDx event in Belgium and is listed as an example on the official TED website. So what are you waiting for? Come to TEDxUHasselt and get inspired by the most innovative ideas and speakers of the moment!
Speakers
Speakers may not be confirmed. Check event website for more information.
Aisha Cortoos
Sleep/Stress expert + keynote spreaker + Founder at Brainwise
Dr. Aisha Cortoos combines academic expertise with clinical practice as a psychologist and family therapist. She holds a master’s in Psychology (VUB, 2004), a PhD in Biological Psychology (VUB, 2009), and a postgraduate in systemic psychotherapy (IPRR, 2013). She was a postdoctoral fellow at the Royal Military Academy in the ‘Vital Signs and Performance’ department. With years of experience as a sleep psychologist at the University Hospital Brussel, she helped shape insomnia treatment in Belgium in collaboration with colleagues and BASS. Dr. Cortoos bridges the gap between science and practice, making complex concepts accessible. She currently works in private practice at Brainwise, as a scientific consultant for the RMA and VUB, and as a keynote speaker for Better Minds, guiding companies worldwide on wellbeing.Bryan Cassady
Entrepreneur + growth and innovation expert
Bryan Cassady is an entrepreneur, consultant, and innovation expert with experience building 8 successful companies in 6 countries. He has worked with hundreds of businesses on innovation, strategy, and business development. Author of The Cycles Book, he developed the ABC method to grow ideas into successful innovations. Bryan has advised companies like Proximus, Unilever, and P&G and has taught at KU Leuven, Vlerick, and the London School of Economics.Deborah Nas
Professor + speaker + author
Deborah Nas is a Professor of Strategic Design for Technology-Based Innovation at Delft University of Technology, the Innovation Lead at the Centre for Quantum & Society, and a non-executive board member in multiple organisations. Her expertise lies at the intersection of technology, business, and psychology. Renowned for bridging academic theory with real-world practice, she excels at demystifying technology for diverse audiences. A highly sought-after keynote speaker, she is known for her inspiring presentation style and sharp insights into the impact of technology on our future. She is the acclaimed author of Design Things That Make Sense, a practical guide for tech startups and corporate innovation teams navigating the complexities of innovation. Her TEDx talk, Will technology shape our future or will we?, has attracted over 500,000 views.Gerda Tersago
Retired preschool teacher
As an elementary school teacher, Gerda Tersago enjoyed reviewing picture books and was passionate about promoting a love of reading. In 2020, her life changed when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. She was faced with a choice: to give up and throw in the towel, or to seek out new and meaningful challenges.Isabel Verstraete
Growth strategist + keynote speaker + author + podcast host
Isabel Verstraete is a recognized growth strategist and author with over two decades of experience in strategy. She developed the CARE Principles based on the belief that leadership in today’s complex and rapidly changing world requires more than just traditional management skills. With her extensive experience and fresh perspectives, she helps organizations enhance employee engagement and performance while enabling growth and sustainable transitions. Her clients range from multinationals to start-ups across various sectors in Europe, including Zeeman, Filliers Distillery, Lee Cooper, KitchenAid, and Rubenshuis. Renowned universities such as Nyenrode Business University and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam regularly welcome Verstraete as a guest lecturer, where she shares her transformative insights rooted in the CARE Principles, leaving a lasting impact on the leaders of tomorrow.Marc Vael
Esko Chief Digital Trust Officer
Marc is a distinguished global leader in security and privacy, with over 30 years of experience in the cybersecurity and privacy landscape. As Chief Digital Trust Officer at Esko, he drives digital trust strategies, ensuring the protection of critical business operations and data. Beyond his role at Esko, Marc serves as President of SAI.BE, Belgium’s premier IT knowledge association, where he promotes thought leadership across multiple IT domains. His passion for sharing knowledge extends beyond the boardroom as a sought-after keynote speaker, panel moderator, and contributor to industry podcasts, books, and global CISO communities. Marc also plays a key role in academia, serving as a guest professor at Antwerp Management School, Solvay Brussels School, and TIAS Tilburg, mentoring the next generation of security leaders.Maxime Liefooghe
Speaker + coach
Maxime Liefooghe is a speaker and coach specializing in sales and leadership. While naturally social and able to connect easily with others, he learned that true sales success stems from building trust and credibility, rather than simply being a skilled communicator. Recognizing that many people fear or misunderstand sales, Maxime had to grow into the role himself, seeking knowledge through books, training, and coaching. He quickly grasped the essence of sales, achieved strong results, and transitioned into leadership—a journey that brought new challenges and opportunities for growth. Maxime believes that training is often too theoretical and generic. Instead, he emphasizes practical, engaging, and empowering learning experiences that ignite enthusiasm for applying new skills. Through his company, Be a Pro, Maxime helps professionals in sales and leadership gain the insights, skills, and confidence they need to grow and succeed.Silvia Garcia
Keynote speaker + leadership advisor + author + consultant
During her tenure as Global Coca-Cola Director for Marketing and Happiness, Silvia Garcia traveled the world to learn from scientists and businesses about the conditions for higher happiness and success at work. Today, she devotes her time to sharing science-based discoveries through keynotes and discussions that help leaders and organizations create a better future for people, the planet, and business. Her innovative views on business and leadership have attracted international attention, taking her to meet a broad array of leaders and organizations across various industries, from tech and entertainment to finance, fashion, Fortune 500 companies, local businesses, and even the army. Silvia also spends much of her time reading the latest articles and books that inspire her reflections, as well as writing her own book on "leadership for success and happiness at work," in response to the growing demand for more science, tools, and perspectives on this topic.Organizing team
