Our Team
The dedicated individuals who guide L&G Foundation's mission and ensure our programs create meaningful impact.
Foundation Directors
Our directors bring decades of combined experience in nonprofit management, heritage preservation, and community development.
Lieve Van Gorp
Chairperson & Managing Director
Lieve Van Gorp has been the driving force behind L&G Foundation since its founding in 2008. With a background in art history and cultural management, she brings deep expertise in heritage preservation and nonprofit governance to her role as Chairperson and Managing Director.
Before establishing the foundation, Lieve spent over a decade working with cultural institutions across Flanders, developing a keen understanding of the challenges facing heritage preservation in rapidly developing regions. Her vision for L&G Foundation was born from a personal commitment to protecting the architectural and cultural identity of the Belgian coast, where she has lived since childhood.
Under Lieve's leadership, L&G Foundation has grown from a small initiative into a respected nonprofit that has restored 42 heritage properties, distributed over EUR 850,000 in community grants, and engaged thousands of residents in cultural and environmental programs. She is actively involved in all aspects of the foundation's work, from strategic planning and fundraising to program design and community outreach.
Lieve holds a Master's degree in Art History from the Universiteit Gent and has completed advanced training in nonprofit management at Vlerick Business School. She serves on the advisory board of several heritage organizations in Flanders and is a frequent speaker at conferences on cultural preservation and community philanthropy.
Maria Ruelens
Managing Director & Administrator
Maria Ruelens serves as Managing Director and Administrator of L&G Foundation, bringing extensive experience in community development and organizational management to the foundation's leadership team. She has been instrumental in shaping the foundation's programs and building the partnerships that make our work possible.
Maria's career spans over 20 years in the nonprofit and public sectors, with a focus on community welfare, social inclusion, and sustainable development. Before joining L&G Foundation, she held senior positions at several community organizations in West Flanders, where she developed expertise in program management, stakeholder engagement, and impact measurement.
As Managing Director, Maria oversees the day-to-day operations of the foundation, including program implementation, financial management, and staff coordination. She works closely with Lieve Van Gorp to set strategic direction and ensure that the foundation's resources are deployed effectively to achieve its mission.
Maria holds a Master's degree in Social Sciences from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and has completed professional development in financial management for nonprofits and environmental sustainability. She is deeply committed to the principle that nonprofits must demonstrate measurable impact, and she has implemented rigorous monitoring and evaluation systems across all of L&G Foundation's programs.
Board of Directors
Our board provides strategic oversight and ensures that L&G Foundation remains true to its mission and values.
Lieve Van Gorp
Chairperson
Provides strategic leadership and represents the foundation in external relations.
Maria Ruelens
Vice Chairperson
Oversees operational management and program development across all four initiatives.
Advisory Board
External Advisors
Includes heritage experts, financial advisors, and community representatives who provide specialized guidance.
Our Values as a Team
Every member of our team is guided by a set of core values that define how we work and how we serve our community.
Transparency
We communicate openly with our stakeholders about our activities, finances, and outcomes. Every decision is documented and available for review.
Integrity
We uphold the highest ethical standards in all our operations. Our commitment to doing the right thing guides every action we take.
Accountability
We take responsibility for our results and report honestly on both our successes and our challenges. We hold ourselves to the same standards we expect of others.
Collaboration
We believe that the best results come from working together. We actively seek partnerships and welcome input from our community.
Join Our Mission
We are always looking for dedicated individuals who share our passion for heritage preservation and community development.