Sjoukje Heimovaara reappointed as WUR President
- JW (Jan Willem) Bol
- Spokesman Executive Board
The Supervisory Board of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) has reappointed Dr Sjoukje Heimovaara as Chair of the Executive Board with effect from 1 July 2026. The reappointment is for a second term of four years.
"We are delighted that Sjoukje wishes to continue her work," says Elbert Dijkgraaf, Chair of the Supervisory Board of WUR. "She has proven to be an excellent leader of WUR, and stability in the leadership is beneficial for the organisation. It finds itself in a dynamic period, in the midst of a process of significant budget cuts and the operationalisation of the 2026–2029 strategic plan. We are confident that, under Sjoukje's leadership, WUR can maintain and further strengthen its position as a world-leading knowledge partner."
CV and ancillary positions
Heimovaara studied plant breeding at Wageningen University and completed her doctorate in cell biology at Leiden University in 1995. She has had a broad career at TNO, Royal Van Zanten (including as CEO) and within WUR itself. Alongside her role at WUR, she is, amongst other things, Chair of the 4TU Federation.
Heimovaara is a member of the Supervisory Board of Naturalis Biodiversity Center and a member of the Supervisory Board of AIC4NL, the organisation for the responsible development of AI in the Netherlands. In 2024, Heimovaara was a member of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture, chaired by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Questions?
Do you have a question? Feel free to get in touch.
