Hakima Darhmouch, Céline Fremault, Meryame Kitir and Louis Jonckheere have joined the King Baudouin Foundation’s Board of Governors

The King Baudouin Foundation’s Board of Governors has elected four new members, each for a four-year term starting on January 1st, 2024. Pierre Wunsch has prolonged his mandate for a further two years as President of the Foundation’s Board of Governors.

Hakima Darhmouch, Céline Fremault, Meryame Kitir and Louis Jonckheere were elected at the end of 2023 by the 13 governors then sitting on the King Baudouin Foundation’s Board of Governors. They succeeded Marleen Vanderpoorten, Jean Hilgers, Laurence Bovy and Yasmine Kherbache on January 1st, 2024. The Foundation would like to express its most grateful thanks to the four outgoing governors for their commitment to the Board.

Like the many other experts who volunteer to work alongside the Foundation, the four new governors come from varied backgrounds:

Hakima Darhmouch: a communications consultant and former journalist, Hakima was previously in charge of the Culture Department at the RTBF;
Céline Fremault: Member of the Brussels Parliament, former Brussels Minister for Housing, Quality of Life, Environment, Energy, Families, Support for People with a Disability (2014-2019) and Brussels Minister for the Economy, Employment, Scientific Research, Commerce and Foreign Trade (2013-2014);
Meryame Kitir: Member of the Federal Parliament, former Federal Minister for Cooperation and Development, Responsible for Cities (2020-2022);
Louis Jonckheere: entrepreneur, CEO Wintercircus Ghent.

Pierre Wunsch, President of the King Baudouin Foundation’s Board of Governors commented : “The King Baudouin Foundation is an integral part of society. As such, it acts in an independent and pluralist manner, providing support to those who rely on it. At governance level too, it is important that the Foundation’s Board of Governors reflects the diversity of our society. I am delighted to welcome Hakima Darhmouch, Céline Fremault, Meryame Kitir and Louis Jonckheere to the Foundation’s Board of Governors and I thank them in advance for their commitment. Their informed views of the Foundation will undoubtedly contribute to making it a driving force for innovation in society.”

Brieuc Van Damme, CEO of the King Baudouin Foundation : “As an organisation in transition in a world in transition, the King Baudouin Foundation is entering a new phase of its existence which promises to be exciting. The Foundation is resolutely committed to leaving no-one behind and so we will strengthen the impact of our activities – from the most local right up to international level – in an effort to provide answers to the many challenges facing our society. I look forward to working with the new members of our Board of Governors, each of whom will bring his or her experience and expertise to support the Foundation in accomplishing its mission.”

Pierre Wunsch, President of the King Baudouin Foundation’s Board of Governors, has agreed to prolong his mandate for a further two years. Under his presidency since 2022, the Foundation has continued to grow significantly, not only in Belgium, but also in Europe and internationally.

The King Baudouin Foundation’s Board of Governors has 13 members, including Brieuc Van Damme, the Foundation’s CEO since the beginning of 2022. This body of governance draws up the strategic guidelines for the Foundation. It also assumes final responsibility for the Foundation’s budget and accounts.

More information on the composition of the Board of Governors.

The King Baudouin Foundation

The King Baudouin Foundation is an independent and pluralist foundation of public utility, whose mission is to contribute to a better society.

The Foundation is an actor for change and innovation, serving the general interest and social cohesion, in Belgium, Europe and internationally. It seeks to maximise its impact by strengthening the capacities of organisations and people. The Foundation encourages effective philanthropy among private individuals and businesses.

The Foundation was created in 1976 to mark the 25th year of King Baudouin’s reign.