Overview
Francoise led Melexis as CEO for nearly two decades, overseeing the company's growth as a Belgian semiconductor company listed on Euronext. Melexis specializes in microchips for automotive applications and is one of the few Belgian tech companies with a long public market track record.
After stepping down as CEO in 2021, Francoise became Chairwoman of Melexis. She also holds board seats at Umicore and Soitec, two major materials and semiconductor companies, and serves as President of the STEM platform in Belgium, which promotes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
Her career makes her one of the most prominent women in Belgian technology and one of the senior voices in the European semiconductor industry.
Career history
- Chairwoman of the BoardAug 2021 - PresentMelexis
- CEO2003 - Aug 2021Melexis
- COO1997 - 2003Melexis
- Non Executive Board MemberSep 2023 - PresentSMART Photonics
- Member Board of DirectorsMay 2022 - PresentMediafin
- Member Board of DirectorsApr 2022 - PresentAntwerp Management School
- Non Executive Board MemberJul 2019 - PresentSOITEC
- FounderMelexis
Education
- Master's degree, Interpreting Dutch-English-Spanish1980 - 1984University of Gent
In the news
- Physical AI is built on fundamentals At The Economist AI Compute Summit in Amsterdam, I joined Eddie Milev for a fireside chat: “Machines that think—and move: is the industry ready for Physical AI?” It was a practical conversation about what really moves this field forward: advanced sensor technology, safe interaction, and reliable performance. We also touched on how global mindsets influence the pace of automation in aging societies. Thank you for the interesting chat, Eddie! One nice way to make it tangible was showing
- Why is an inclusive culture so important? Because it ensures the best ideas win, not the loudest voices. How do we keep Europe relevant and future-proof? Through innovation that is societally valuable and just. This is what I stand for as a #STEMinist. This is what I believe as a European globalist. Looking forward to courageous conversations at #PIConnect 2026. See you there! #PhotonDelta #integratedphotonics
- What an absolutely fabulous opening movie this is Jürgen Ingels! 👏 As a #STEMinist and entrepreneur, I have no other choice but to share it here. 😇
- So true!
- Looking forward to it! #STEMinist
- Ann Caluwaerts voor je #STEMpathie en je tomeloze inzet! 💐 🙏 STEM-platform voor jullie ongelofelijk #sySTEMisch engagement! 👊 Zó trots om deel uit te maken van deze sterke #STEM adviesraad! 🦚 Je #STEMinist 🤗
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