Belgian born, Michel Ballieu graduated in economics from the University of Brussels and was awarded his postgraduate degree in Business Management at the Solvay Institute Brussels. His studies have not been confined to his home country; Michel also spent some of his earlier education US-based, where his studies took him to the State of Washington.

He first demonstrated his keen interest for coaching and management during the early stages of his career based at Xerox where he led sales teams in the computer business. The consumer goods sector and the marketing of software products have also been two fields at BASF to benefit from Michel’s drive and vision. His extensive experience in sales, marketing and strategic thinking also includes a solid record of several years’ high level management at the multinational level (the European Union).

Michel entered into the world of non-for-profit 12 years ago to lead and inspire European Operations for the Up with People exchange programme – providing students with unparalleled learning opportunity on an international level across borders. He later joined the renowned Association Management Company – MCI, where he was appointed as European Executive Director for several U.S. based professional associations, as well as Chief Executive Officer for the World Federation of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP).

He joined ECCO – the European CanCer Organisation (formerly FECS) in 2006, appointed as Chief Executive Officer leading a team of 22 professionals dedicated to scientific educational programmes, congress management, communication, as well as policy and regulatory awareness campaigns.