As Managing Director, I create a stimulating, top-notch environment for VIB's researchers. My aim is to support the 1900 collaborators on their way to new and innovative insights into normal and pathological life processes and the translation of those basic scientific results into pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial applications. My role is also to be a strong advocate for their work.When composing a team, I strongly believe in hiring the right person in the right role, and encouraging the collaborators to thrive. In any research organisation, great support and research infrastructure functions are key, as are strong selection and evaluation processes.I value fostering diversity as a source of an interesting, challenging and rich working environment.Before joining VIB, I was Executive Director of the SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics. In that role, I focused on service and research infrastructure provisioning, in a way that is sustainable on the long-term. I developed a new vision and strategy for SIB, that almost doubled in size during my time at the institute. I also worked on the Roadmap 2025-2028 for data-related research infrastructures for biology for Switzerland, and on the establishment of infrastructure for research with sensitive data.Previously, I worked in medical communications and medical affairs for several pharmaceutical multinationals, in local and international roles, and with growing responsibility. I worked with thought leaders on product profiles, and crafted press releases and other communications. Besides my role as Managing Director, I act as an advisor and expert on a number of national and international committees and advisory boards.VIB is an excellence-based entrepreneurial research institute in life sciences located in Flanders, Belgium. VIB’s basic research leads to new and innovative insights into normal and pathological life processes. It unites the expertise of all its collaborators and research groups in a single institute, firmly based on its close partnership with 5 Flemish universities and supported by a solid funding program from the Flemish government. VIB has an excellent track record of translating basic scientific results into pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial applications. Since its foundation in 1996, VIB has created over 30 start-up companies and includes over 1900 people. More information: www.vib.be.