Welcome, everyone, to the launch of SheLeadsTech Belgium!
Today marks more than just the beginning of an exciting new program for ISACA Belgium; it’s the start of a transformative chapter where we commit to shaping the future of women in technology. It’s a call to action for all of us, regardless of gender, to come together and build a more inclusive, equitable, and empowering workplace culture.
SheLeadsTech is not just a program for women. It’s a platform for collaboration, allyship, and shared responsibility. Creating a culture of belonging isn’t the job of a few; it’s a collective effort. It’s about recognizing the value of diverse perspectives, challenging systemic barriers, and ensuring that everyone, regardless of gender, background, or identity, feels seen, heard, and empowered to lead.
We invite our male colleagues, leaders, and allies to be active participants in this journey. Your support, advocacy, and willingness to listen and learn are essential to driving real, lasting change.
Together, let’s explore how we can implement practical strategies to embed equity into our corporate cultures, not only through policy, mentorship, sponsorship, and everyday actions, but also by actively supporting women throughout their growth journeys. By providing access to education, networks, and opportunities, we can help women rise as thought leaders and role models, paving the way for young girls to see a future for themselves in tech.
Closing the talent gap starts with opening doors and welcoming all talents into environments where they can thrive.
Let’s lead with intention, and let’s lead together.
Welcome to SheLeadsTech Belgium—where allyship fuels progress, and leadership is a journey we take together.
Speaker
Saskia Van Uffelen
Saskia Van Uffelen has been working in the sector of information and communication technology (ICT) for over 25 years. She has held national and international sales and marketing functions in leading companies such as Xerox, Compaq, HP, Arinso, Bull, Ericsson, and the French ICT group Inetum. Since 2012, the federal government appointed Saskia Van Uffelen as ‘Digital Skills Leader’ for Belgium representing the European Commission.
Saskia leads the National Coalition for Digital Skills & Jobs for Belgium. In this role she focuses to skill/re-skill all talents to maximize the activation of everybody in the changing employment market going forward (DigiSkills Belgium).
At Agoria, she leads the Future Workforce team to help the current workforce in our industry and in society to become future-proof.
Saskia is mother of 5 having done a full career in technology so she can certainly inspire others with her own experiences.
As a role model she received various awards such as 2011 ‘ICT Woman of the Year’ (Data News); 2013 Inspiring Women in Science, Technology and Research (Luxembourg); 2016 Gulden Spoor voor Economische Uitstraling (Vlaanderen), 2019 Leadership Award (Etion); 2019 Nominated as Manager of the Year and in July 2025 she was appointed to the grade of ‘Commandeur in de Leopoldsorde’ by the king of Belgium.
Greg Renders
Greg Renders is the Director of Fair & Inclusive Culture at Syensqo, where he leads the global DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) strategy for the Belgian multinational. Prior to Syensqo, Greg held leadership roles at Sodexo, Actiris, Partena Professional, and Cisco. With more than 25 years of experience spanning HR leadership, employment policy, stakeholder engagement, social sustainability, and diversity strategy, Greg has built a career dedicated to shaping workplaces where people—and performance—can thrive.
He holds a Master’s in Gender Studies and shares his expertise as a guest-lecturer at Solvay Brussels School, Vlerick Business School, and HE2B, helping to shape the next generation of inclusive leaders.
Known for his data-informed, human-centered approach, Greg champions inclusive frameworks that are not only equitable and respectful, but also drive organizational performance.
Nabila Farhat
Nabila Farhat is a Client Partner at Capgemini Belgium, where she leads strategic portfolios for major financial institutions. With over 15 years of experience in IT consulting, she has held diverse roles including Test Manager, Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Client Partner. In 2023, she was honored as Belgium’s Young ICT Lady of the Year, recognizing her impact and advocacy for women in tech. She holds a master’s degree in Business Engineering from HEC Liège and actively supports initiatives like Women at Capgemini and Duo for a Job. A proud mother of two, Nabila brings authenticity, purpose, and empowerment to every initiative she leads.
Laurence Jacobs
As a technology optimist with more than 20 years of experience in the ICT sector, Laurence is enthusiastic, dynamic, and eager to learn. In her leadership role as a Manager of the Business Relationship Officers and Community Managers she is dedicated to contributing to the success and growth of Agoria portfolio companies.
In 2021, Laurence co-authored the book “Nooit Nog Normaal,” which discusses the impact of digitalization on education, the labor market, entrepreneurship, and civil society.
She is committed to creating a technology sector where all talents feel valued and have equal opportunities to succeed, which is why she also serves as a Women in Tech ambassador. In this role, I strive to ensure that our industry reflects and represents the diversity of our society. In April 2023 her second book “Women in Tech: a perfect fit for a sustainable and inclusive future” was published about how to attract, advance and retain women in tech.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Laurence also contribute to the tech community as a coach, jury member for WeAreFounders and DO! Gent pitching, chair for #SheDIDIT and general assembly member for Technopolis. I am passionate about making a positive impact in the world of technology and digital innovation.
Lizhen XU
Lizhen XU co-founded Hack Your Future Belgium, a coding school that empowers people with limited access to education, mostly refugees, by preparing them for a job in software development.
Hack Your Future Belgium is part of an international network of coding schools operating in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Denmark, and Spain. The programs have graduated over 600 students from 50 countries, with women making up more than 40% of participants.
With over 25 years of experience in international project management, recruitment, and human resources—particularly emphasizing diversity and inclusion within both the United Nations System and the private sector—her objective is to help bridge skills and cultural gaps between candidates and hiring partners.
Before relocating to Belgium in 2008, she spent a decade coordinating environmental projects with the United Nations in New York, Geneva, and Paris, and conducted field missions in the Occupied Palestinian territories, Vietnam, China, and Algeria for both the UN and the European Union.
She earned her master’s in labor sciences from Louvain University (Magna Cum Laude) in 2004.
Leïla Abajadi
Leïla Abajadi is currently a freelance Chief Information Security Officer (CISO-as-a-Service), supporting various organizations in strengthening their cybersecurity strategy and governance. She brings over 16 years of experience in the field, having previously worked as a consultant at EY for 8 years, and later serving as Deputy CISO at SNCB/NMBS for 3 years.
Deeply committed to inclusion and diversity in tech, Leïla is also the President of Women4Cyber Belgium. Through this role, she actively works to make cybersecurity more accessible—not just for technical profiles, but for all who are curious and passionate about the field.
Beyond her professional roles, Leïla is the proud mother of two young daughters, who inspire her daily to challenge gender stereotypes and prove that STEM is for everyone.
