SPEAKERS

Naomi is a strategic communications specialist devoted to empowering nonprofits. With a dynamic career spanning both broadcast journalism and nonprofit communications, Naomi brings a unique depth of experience to her clients, blending storytelling with strategic insight. Her expertise in crafting well-structured campaigns, precision in messaging, and audience engagement techniques drive impactful results, helping nonprofits amplify their voice and mission with purpose and clarity.

Nele Devolder is Vice President of Kellen in Brussels. She has been working for Kellen for more than 20 years, is specialised in association management and strategic advice, and has extensive experience in the creation, set-up and management of European and global platforms, trade associations and alliances. Nele leads the majority of the strategic advice and consulting projects Kellen does for trade associations and professional societies at European and global level.

In terms of Association Management, Nele serves as Executive Director of ECMA, the European Candle Manufacturers Association, which is the main European industry association for the candle industry, and as Secretary General for EASEE-gas, an association representing the streamlining of energy exchange in the European gas market. 

As Vice President, Nele leads the Association Management Cluster in Brussels, which includes the supervision of teams serving over 15 different trade associations active in a variety of industries and sectors. 

Nele studied Communications at the EGON Hogeschool in Ghent, Belgium. She is a Belgian national and speaks Dutch (mother tongue), English, French and German

Colm has 20 years’ experience in management services, business events and association management, including leading staff teams and facilitating strategy development for volunteer leadership groups. 

Driving change whilst building consensus is central to his work, which usually involves developing vision into organisational structures, educational content, and communications.

Curious, and at ease with complexity, Colm combines creative spark with analytical rigour. Always seeking elegant solutions which like the best guitar riffs, appear deceptively simple until we try to replicate them.

15 years’ experience on dozens of events in more than 20 countries worldwide and online. Bénédicte puts her structured but caring approach, her eye for detail, and her boundless energy to work to deliver a seamless event experience for clients and participants.

From planning and site and/or virtual event platform selection, through to onsite/online production, Bénédicte ensures every organisational element is taken care of whilst never losing sight of the client’s vision or budget goals.

As a lover of nature, respecting all the components of an ecosystem, and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships are her guiding principles. A mother of 3, Bénédicte always keeps care, development and planning needs as key factors. 

Bénédicte also sits on the MPI Association Professional Advisory Board.

Kai is volunteer President of Brussels based ASSOCIATIONWORLD aisbl, taking a holistic approach towards the development of associations and association professionals, building a global association community movement. 

Kai serves as the CEO of EuropeActive, the European Voice of the Fitness, Wellness and Health Industy. He is the co-founder of the Geneva International Association Forum (GIAF), the Brussels International Association Forum (BIAF), the Washington Nordic International Association Forum (WIAF) and the Irish Association Forum (IAF).

He serves as an advisor to several boards of international organisations and non-profits focusing on the areas of Resource Development, Governance and Strategy. Kai is an active member of the UN SDG platform and the Clinton Global Initiative. Previously, Troll was Director of Global Partnerships with the International Diabetes Federation, the Director at Special Olympics International in Europe-Eurasia and a Senior Management Consultant with the Boston Consulting Group based in Europe, North-America and Asia. 

Troll has a BA in Science, a MBA in International Management and a PhD in Economics.

Paul Walsh, currently serving as the Senior Membership Manager at the European Business Aviation Association and Programme Manager for Association Ambassador, is passionate about association communication. With a background in membership and communication, Paul is passionate about storytelling, message development, and leveraging social media impactfully. His pragmatic approach equips participants with skills to authentically connect with diverse audiences, cultivating a culture of effective communication within associations.

Jane is passionate about the impact that meetings can have on organisations, participants and communities where the meeting is held.  This does not just happen, intention, dialogue and engagement are critical to success.  Jane brings this approach to the facilitation and consultancy work she does creating open, trusting and inclusive environments with high energy levels while being focused on the process to enable meaningful outcomes.