District 59 Conference

May 24–26, 2024 | Crowne Plaza, Antwerp

Organizing Team

Kirsti Gjertsen

Mission
Speaking with impact! People tend to forget what you say, but not how you speak.

Fun Fact
I suffer FOMO… I don’t want to miss exciting events and I want to know EVERYTHING.

Kirsti Gjertsen

Co-Conference Chair

Levi Claes

Mission
Letting individuals and communities shine through stories and stages.

Fun Fact
I’m pretty physically agile, I can put my legs behind my neck.

Levi Claes

Co-Conference Chair

Aminata Samaké

Mission
Connecting people via storytelling.

Fun Fact
Most of the time I am busy and buzzing around like a bee, but I take my free time seriously, you might get stung if you disturb me while I am relaxing!

Aminata Samaké

Hospitality Chair

Amol Palve

Mission
Be the change you want to see in the world!

Fun Fact
I'm really scared of my wife!

Amol Palve

Sponsorship Chair

Anne De Beule

Mission
To keep on learning and challenge myself in a community of like minded people.

Fun Fact
I love cycling. It helps me clear my mind. I am always looking for new challenges to push myself both physically and mentally.

Anne De Beule

Gala Chair

Colleen Shaughnessy-Larsson

Mission
Adapt, Serve, Support, Recognise and be available whenever possible to move others forward and recognise their efforts and thank all who help me continue to learn and grow.

Fun Fact
I have a website colleensparis.com. I am longing to make travel videos and post travel photos in the near future. I have an addiction to travel.

Colleen Shaughnessy-Larsson

PR Team, DTM & Past D59 Director

Ece Doganer

Mission
Every meeting I set out to learn something new, be it about myself, about others, or about the human condition as a whole. And of course I try to do that through speaking, evaluating, nudging our club culture, finding volunteers, leading by example, organizing events, networking, publicity, interpersonal communication…

Fun Fact
My biggest addiction is adrenaline. I drive 103km an hour on a 100 road, including the turns, because that is on the edge of excitement and a 26 euro fine. But first I ask my car guests what they prefer!

Ece Doganer

Education Team Member

Egwin Gonthier

Mission
To learn from fellow speakers, to support them on their personal growth journey, and to help creating lasting memories for us all.

Fun Fact
You can spot me as an extra in the Netflix hit series Rough Diamonds, that was shot on location in the Antwerp diamond quarter.

Egwin Gonthier

Brand Experience & Awards Chair

Kevin Kaers

Mission
Find new ways to challenge myself and help others grow through support and sharing experiences

Fun Fact
I find it difficult to spend a day just relaxing and doing nothing, but I have an English Bulldog coaching me on that.

Kevin Kaers

Contest Chair

Maarten Claes

Mission
Love learning, as well as seeing other people grow and learn.

Fun Fact
Not related to Levi, but we occasionally go bouldering together!

Maarten Claes

Webmaster

Melina Lê

Mission
Finding my way to speak so that others want to listen, finding my way to lead so that others want to follow.

Fun Fact
I am a “practical” (going from A to B) but dedicated cyclist doing around 5.000km a year in and around the city of Antwerp!

Melina Lê

Finance Chair

Pieter Haeck

Mission
Just having fun, on or off stage.

Fun Fact
My greatest party trick is that I can lick my elbow.

Pieter Haeck

PR Chair

Stefanie Geukens

Mission
Overcoming my fear of public speaking.

Fun Fact
I am a cat person and my cat's name is Morty.

Stefanie Geukens

Education Chair

Wouter Van Overschelde

Mission
Learn new methods to improve connecting communication, learn new insights on topics that are close to my heart but also to listen and learn about topics that other people are passionate about.

Fun Fact
I love all kinds of music. But to really find my peace of mind or concentration, my favorite music are frequencies.

Wouter Van Overschelde

Education Team Member

Arnout Nederpelt

District Mentor

Ilona Ruitenberg

District Mentor

Kin Sanchez

Registration Chair