The ’30 under 30′ lists of Forbes have become a worldwide reference for leaders, entrepreneurs and creatives under the age of 30. It is the first time that the magazine, which received a Belgian edition earlier this year, also makes a list for our country.
The list puts thirty young Belgians in the spotlight “who not only excel in their field, but also contribute to the economic and social development of Belgium and beyond”.
The awards will be officially presented to the winners today at an event in Brussels.
The capital is already well represented in the list, with at least eleven laureates who live in the Brussels region or have a strong connection with it.
Society
So there is to start with Maïté Meeûs. She gave female victims of sexual violence in Brussels nightlife a voice through the Instagram page Balance Ton Bar.
To undertake
Among the young business leaders we find, among other things, ICT consultants Deborah Deepa D’Hauwer (EY) uit Sint-Agatha-Berchem, Léopold Coppietersthe co-founder of the Auderghem solar panel company Skysun and the Uccle globetrotter Karina Yamamoto from Gridbrid, a company that helps green energy sites work more efficiently.
Also the Dutch-Brussels one Fleur van Sambeeck (living in Ixelles), a top marketer at Google, and Nathan Soretthe founder of the communications agency Nonante Cinq in Evere, make the list, as does Thomas Angererco-founder of the Anderlecht influencer agency BeInfluence Europe. That agency also launched the TikTok sensation Shauna Dewit (from Halle), who is also included in the ’30 under 30′ club.
Sport
In the sports world Forbes the spotlight on the Uccle wheelchair athlete Léa They learnedtwo-time Olympic champion, and footballer Mario Stroeykens from Sporting Anderlecht, a youth product of the Purple & White.
Culture
The young Belgian standard bearers in the cultural sphere include: Forbes among other things Lous and the Yakuzathe alter ego of the Congolese-Brussels singer Marie-Pierra Kakoma (also actress and model) and DJ Henri PFRwho, despite his young age, has been a fixture in global dance-pop for years.
Forbes’ 30 Under 30: Young Belgian Heroes Stepping Up!
Well, well, well! It seems the Forbes magazine has finally decided to let Belgium crash the prestigious global party of “30 Under 30”. I mean, about time, right? I thought they might have confused us with a different country featuring delicious waffles and chocolate! But here we are—putting the spotlight on thirty young Belgians who are not just busy perfecting their frites but are also blazing trails in business, sports, culture, and social activism.
The Big Reveal
Today’s the day, folks! The awards are being dished out in Brussels, and no, I’m not just talking about the usual “Who can eat the most moules-frites” contest. We’re talking about young leaders making the magic happen for the economic and social fabric of Belgium and beyond. Can you hear the crowd cheering? Or is that just the sound of people popping open beers in celebration?
Society: A Voice for Victims
Kicking us off is Maïté Meeûs, who decided that Brussels nightlife needed to get its act together. Through her Instagram page, Balance Ton Bar, she’s given a voice to female victims of sexual violence. Imagine waking up in a city that feels safer just because some spirited young lass said, “Enough is enough!” Talk about being the Beyoncé of Brussels nightlife. Happy to see someone actually taking a stand instead of merely ‘standing around’ with a cocktail!
Entrepreneurship: Rising Business Stars
Next up, let’s talk about the business honchos! Featured on the list are a whole gang of risk-takers and innovators. We’ve got Deborah Deepa D’Hauwer, who’s busy consulting away at EY but surely has a myriad of tips on how to stay awake past 3 PM while indulging in croissants. Then there’s Léopold Coppieters, the brilliant mind behind the solar panel company Skysun—because saving the planet is so hot right now! And let’s not forget Karina Yamamoto of Gridbrid, who’s positively lighting up the energy scene while globetrotting from one eco-conference to another. Electric, indeed!
And what list of achievers would be complete without mentioning Fleur van Sambeeck from Google? That’s right, folks! She’s climbing the corporate ladder faster than an over-caffeinated squirrel. Plus we’ve got Nathan Soret, who decided that everyone could do with a bit of social media glamour by founding his communications agency, and we can’t overlook Thomas Angerer, cooking up influencer magic with BeInfluence Europe. If you’ve ever clicked ‘like’ on a TikTok, you might just have him to thank!
Sport: The New Elite Athletes
Moving on to the sports elites! Highlighting our athletes is none other than Léa They Learned, a two-time Olympic champion in wheelchair athletics. Just to put things into perspective: she’s the kind of athlete who can glide past the rest of us while we’re struggling to get off our sofas. And let’s not give a red card to young footballer Mario Stroeykens from Sporting Anderlecht. If he’s anything like his team, he’s bound to whip some serious magic on the field! Here’s hoping he can score as well as we score pints after the match!
Culture: The Creative Crunch
And let’s take a moment to appreciate the cultural icons in this list. Lous and the Yakuza, aka Marie-Pierra Kakoma, has her hands in every pie—singer, actress, model…my God, how does one person do it all? Perhaps a few magical Belgian biscuits for extra energy? Alongside her, we have Henri PFR, who’s been turning up the beats in global dance-pop—probably the only guy who can make a room filled with people move their feet, without the use of a dance-off!
The Takeaway
So, hats off to our young Belgians taking the world by storm! They’re not just sitting at home, binge-watching series. They’re crafting futures that future generations can both envy and aspire to. And on that note, I think it’s about time we all start thinking of our own ’30 Under 30′ strategies—probably starting with how to turn a passion for chocolate into social media fame! Cheers to the bright lights of Belgium, and may the rest of the world catch up!
The prestigious ’30 under 30′ lists curated by Forbes have established themselves as a leading benchmark for identifying and celebrating exceptional leaders, innovators, and creative minds under the age of 30 from various industries around the globe. This year marks a significant milestone as the magazine, which launched its Belgian edition earlier this year, has for the first time released a dedicated list highlighting the talents of young individuals from our country.
The list shines a spotlight on thirty remarkable young Belgians who not only demonstrate outstanding success in their respective fields but are also actively engaged in driving both economic and social progress within Belgium and beyond its borders.
The eagerly anticipated awards ceremony, where the accomplishments of these inspiring winners will be formally recognized, is scheduled to take place today in the heart of Brussels.
The vibrant capital city is notably represented on the list, boasting at least eleven laureates who either reside in the Brussels region or maintain strong ties to it, showcasing the city’s dynamic young talent pool.
Society
At the forefront of societal advocacy is Maïté Meeûs, who has become a pivotal figure in giving a voice to female victims of sexual violence within Brussels’ nightlife scene through her impactful Instagram platform, Balance Ton Bar.
To undertake
Among the emerging business leaders featured in the list is the talented ICT consultant Deborah Deepa D’Hauwer from Sint-Agatha-Berchem, who is making waves at EY, complemented by Léopold Coppieters, the visionary co-founder of the Auderghem-based solar panel company Skysun. The list also includes the adventurous Karina Yamamoto from Uccle, who serves as a key player at Gridbrid, a company dedicated to optimizing operations at renewable energy sites. Noteworthy entrants also encompass the innovative Dutch-Brussels marketer Fleur van Sambeeck, residing in Ixelles, who serves as a top marketer at Google, and Nathan Soret, the dynamic founder of Evere’s communications agency Nonante Cinq. Additionally, Thomas Angerer, co-founder of the Anderlecht influencer agency BeInfluence Europe, is recognized, as is TikTok sensation Shauna Dewit from Halle, who has gained significant popularity and is proudly included in the exclusive ’30 under 30′ group.
Sport
In the realm of athletics, Forbes has cast a well-deserved spotlight on standout Uccle wheelchair athlete Léa They learned, who is celebrated for her remarkable achievements as a two-time Olympic champion, alongside talented footballer Mario Stroeykens from Sporting Anderlecht, a promising youth product of the renowned club.
Culture
The cultural landscape of Belgium is vibrantly represented by young luminaries such as Lous and the Yakuza, the artistic persona of Congolese-Brussels singer Marie-Pierra Kakoma, who is also an accomplished actress and model, alongside the talented DJ Henri PFR, who has made a significant mark on the global dance-pop scene at a remarkably young age.
What innovative strategies is EY implementing in the tech consulting industry to stand out in Sint-Agatha-Berchem?
Strong> (EY) from Sint-Agatha-Berchem, who is making waves in the tech consulting industry. Another notable mention is Léopold Coppieters, co-founder of the Auderghem-based solar panel company Skysun, proving that green energy is not just a trend but a commitment to a sustainable future. Meanwhile, Karina Yamamoto from Gridbrid is also leading the charge in optimizing green energy sites for better efficiency.
In the marketing realm, Fleur van Sambeeck from Google stands out as a top marketer making significant contributions to digital strategies, while Nathan Soret runs Nonante Cinq, a comms agency that is keeping brands fresh and relevant in the ever-evolving landscape of social media. We also have Thomas Angerer, whose work at BeInfluence Europe is bridging the gap between brands and the modern influencer culture. The agency gained traction with the rise of TikTok sensation Shauna Dewit, further exemplifying the dynamic nature of this ecosystem.
Sport
In sports, Léa They Learned emerges as an inspirational figure as a two-time Olympic champion in wheelchair athletics—a powerful advocate for accessibility in sports. Also making waves is young footballer Mario Stroeykens from Sporting Anderlecht, who represents the next generation of talent with hopes of elevating his team to further victories.
Culture
in the cultural sector, Lous and the Yakuza, the brilliant alter ego of Congolese-Brussels singer Marie-Pierra Kakoma, is renowned for her multifaceted artistry that encompasses music, acting, and modeling. Henri PFR is another name to recognize, as he has been captivating audiences worldwide with his innovative contributions to the dance-pop genre.
Conclusion
This inaugural list not only places a spotlight on the exceptional talents of young Belgians but also showcases their contributions to society and the economy. It reflects a growing trend of innovation, creativity, and social responsibility among the youth of Belgium. So here’s to the trailblazers, the future leaders, and the inspirational figures who are not only dreaming big but also making those dreams a reality. Cheers to the talented individuals making Belgium shine on the global stage!
