Hugh van Praet
My name is Hugh van Praet, Principal at Guiding Progress. I like to say that I found my professional purpose in helping individuals and businesses elevate their performance.
But after several years as a sales executive with companies such as Oracle, IBM, and smaller high-tech start-ups. I felt I was not fulfilling my purpose; I felt I had more in me, and that’s the reason I decided to create my own path on December 27th, 2016.
I decided to move to another country, something I always wanted to do. As that was not enough, I also took my destiny into my own hands as an entrepreneur.
It’s been an awesome journey with both victories and setbacks — one which has led me to what I am doing today with lots of excitement and pride.
Why the excitement, because clients with whom I work fuel me this energy. Why pride; because my corporate clients see a dramatic improvement in their team alignment; entrepreneurs and business leaders develop their wellbeing and productivity.
They are my best references next to the fact that I was very honoured, blessed and excited to be awarded the Vivian Prokop Mirchandani mentorship prize in 2019, this out of 3,000 skilled Futurpreneur mentors.
As a native English, French and Dutch speaker, with working proficiency in German and Spanish, I enjoy doing different types of sports, discovering the world and learning about other cultures.
Last but not least, I am a proud father; my daughter is a graduate of Imperial College in London, and my son is finishing his masters at Louvain la Neuve in Belgium. They are the reason I returned back to Belgium in March 2020 after 3 incredible years in Canada.

Erickson Certified Professional Coach
International Coaching Federation – ICF ACC


