Sjoukje Heimovaara has been 1 July 2022 the President of the Executive Board of Wageningen University & Research (WUR). She knows the plant breeding and research world like the back of her hand and has been getting to know the food world as Director at the Agrotechnology and Food Sciences Group (AFSG) at WUR.

Sjoukje Heimovaara has cross-sector experience in government, contract research, fundamental research, higher education, as well as in the corporate world. Within WUR, she works on generating, applying and disseminating scientific knowledge from the fields of research and education for the benefit of society. And thus, contributing to a healthier and sustainable world.

Additional functions
Sjoukje Heimovaara is a member of the Supervisory Board of Naturalis Biodiversity Center, an SDG 12.3 Champion, a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the UN Food System Coordination Hub and a member of the recommendation committee of Museum Staal. She is also a member of the recommendation committees of Varsity and the Wageningen Student Choir and Orchestra Association. In 2024 she was a member of the Strategic Dialogue on the future of EU agriculture, spearheaded by the President of the European Commission.