Host
Valerie Smaldone is a 5-time Billboard Magazine Award winner and well known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 on-air position in the New York radio market. She has hosted, produced and created several nationally syndicated programs featuring in-depth interviews with top recording artists such as Elton John and Mariah Carey. She is an accomplished interviewer, always interested in procuring each individual’s unique story. Valerie has also been the “Voice” for numerous prestigious live events, e.g. The Clinton Global Initiative, The Emmy Awards, The Tony Preview Concert on CBS and many more. She is a sought after motivational speaker, and calling on her years of speaking experience, coaches individuals on their presentational skills. Additionally, she consults companies and experts on their brand strategy. Valerie is proud to be able to help others accomplish their personal goals.Speakers
Stella Photi combined her passion for preventative health with her extensive travel industry experience to create Wellbeing Escapes in 2005, a pioneer in the wellness space. Stella has ever since been at the forefront of inspiring people to take a different type of holiday, helping to highlight wellness tourism as a serious segment in the mainstream travel market. Wellbeing Escapes offices are located in Islington, London and won ‘Best Specialist Tour Operator’ at The Telegraph Travel Awards 2016. Stella lents her extensive expertise to many different media publications such as Cosmopolitan and Grazia and is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post lifestyle pages. She considers wellness a journey that doesn’t have an end, but needs like-minded people for guidance. Prior to starting Wellbeing Escapes, Stella managed Leisure Sales for a major U.S. airline in Europe.
Nikki Costello is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher (CIYT). For 23 years, her teaching has been influenced by annual trips to India, the study of philosophical and scriptural texts and a daily practice of meditation. In 2013, Nikki was a contributing editor at Yoga Journal, writing the magazine’s “Basics Column” and in 2016, she was named one of the 100 Most Influential Teachers in America. Nikki is recognized as a thought leader in the global yoga community and delivers her wisdom and expertise in yoga and meditation retreats around the world. When at home, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, she teaches public classes at Kula Yoga and Yoga Shanti and maintains a well-established private practice in New York City, guiding individuals on all levels of their health and well-being.
Rupert Schmid is the Chairman of Biologique Recherche, the manufacturer of French skin care products worldwide. After graduating he worked in top-level positions at several media and communication agencies. Rupert worked as the Head of Communications and Media at Veolia Environment and Veolia Transport. He directly advised top management and decision makers. Particularly inspired by his meeting with sailor Yvan Griboval, Rupert built and supervised the first worldwide protection plan for Antarctica and the Ross Sea during his work at Veolia Environnement. He is now Chaiman of Biologique Recherche and is loyal to the original spirit of the brand, he continues to develop and spread the brand in France and worldwide, strictly enforcing the brand’s values and the authenticity of its unique products and techniques.
Marjorie Hines Woollacott, PhD, has been a neuroscience professor at the University of Oregon for more than three decades and a meditator for almost four. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation; Marjorie has authored the book: Infinite Awareness: The Awakening of a Scientific Mind, exploring scientific studies which offer evidence that consciousness functions beyond the mind. She has also co-authored a popular textbook for health professionals and has written more than 180 peer-reviewed research articles — several of which were on meditation, the topic that motivated her to write her latest book.
Julie founded Wellness for Cancer to improve the quality of life for people touched by cancer. The charity focuses on minimizing the side effects on skin and body, caused by cancer therapy, as well as increasing people’s mental wellbeing during that journey. Julie is recognized for building a global bridge between medical experts and wellness professionals, serving as a thought leader within the Global Wellness Institute with the objective of establishing evidence-based guidelines. She has provided consulting and cancer-focused training for thousands of staff members of spas, hospitals and not-for profits throughout the United States, Europe, Mexico, Canada, and India. Julie holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Harvard University.
Catherine served as the CEO of International Humanitarian organizations for over two decades. The initiatives of her agencies worked to improve the quality of life for people living in poverty. Her firsthand experience as a leader in the humanitarian sector convinced her that the empowerment of individuals to be true to their higher purpose is the key to the transformation of the condition of life for all. Catherine founded NextLevel Leadership Inc. out of her commitment to assist individuals and organizations in ‘playing their best game’ for the sake of a world that works for everyone. She has provided training and consulting to the leaders and staffs of hundreds of companies, universities, not-for-profits, and foundations, throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Africa, Australia and India. She holds degrees in history, psychology, and education from the University of California at Berkeley.
Asa is a champion of sustainable and holistic living; a certified Holistic Health Counselor, and the founder of STAMBA Superfoods – a NYC based company providing distinguished organic nutrition products to its clientele worldwide. Asa also provides high-level consulting services to select businesses and organizations, guiding them to clarify their unique identity and purpose, and expand their vision. Asa believes in empowering an educated and informed consumer base, and his approach to business is focused on arriving at the “sweet spot” where brand distinction, profitability, and service to the greater good across the supply and value chain, unite. This becomes the foundation for developing integrative business systems and structures designed to achieve maximum beneficial impact.
Gina is currently VP of Sales and Marketing for Shankara, an Ayurvedic line of spa products, which are sold worldwide. Shankara donates 100% of net profits to humanitarian causes around the world, through the International Association for Human Values. She also continues to be the principal of a retail consulting company utilizing her varied experiences to assist others in generating multi-million dollar revenues, and realizing maximum profit potential. Her true specialty is to assist her clients in creating a vision to not only generate profit, but to create a story that resonates with themselves, and their customers. Her varied experience, along with a candid and passionate approach to the retail and spa industry offers fresh ideas, and thought-provoking concepts that fulfill people’s dreams on a deeper level.
Soul Luxury’s Founder, Claudia Roth is a unique voice in her field. After 25 years working across the globe with some of the world’s most prestigious brands, she is an expert in evoking the ever-evolving spirit of luxury. As a global senior executive she lived and worked in Paris, Frankfurt and Hong Kong. The final years of her corporate career as Vice President of Europe, Middle East and Africa for The Leading Hotels of the World she was managing revenue in excess of US$300 million; and leading a multi-cultural, international team through growth, change and transformation. Described as “a pioneer in luxury and consciousness”, Claudia created Soul Luxury to help decision makers reach beyond their own boundaries to create a new paradigm of success. Claudia combines business nous with a visionary spirit to inspire others to view life and business differently, understanding the evolution of luxury lifestyle.
Dr Mariela Silveira is co-owner and medical director at Kurotel Longevity Medical Center and Spa. Combining wellness, longevity and medical services, one of the oldest, most successful medical spas in South America has established a mark of excellence by achieving top honors in spa and travel awards. She holds advanced degrees in medicine, medical acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy and Nutrology, and is an expert on the latest innovations in clinical wellness. She is co-founder of the NGO Mind Alive, which counts on volunteer health professionals to promote the culture of peace among children in public schools of Brazil. Dr Silveira is a Global Wellness Day ambassador in Brazil and a frequent speaker at wellness events around the world.
Margot Esser-Greineder, the company founder of PHARMOS NATUR, was born in 1951 in Dueren and worked in the pharmaceutical industry from 1974 to 1982. In the 80s, she suffered from 2 and 3 degree burns in the face and torso caused by an accident. After an extensive Aloe Vera treatment, the skin was able to completely regenerate itself. As a result Margot began an intensive study of natural and herbal medicine, followed by an alternative practitioner training, a bio-dynamic psychology and body therapy training based on Wilhelm Reich and Gerda Boyesen publications, a training in NLP, shape therapy and systematic family therapy. Margot founded the PHARMOS NATUR company in 1986 and the Heilpflanzen-Institut e.V.Seehausen in 2002. She is also the creator of the holistic healing method VegetoiDynamik®.
Isabelle Duchesneau has extensive experience in internationally renowned companies in the hotel and tourism industry, in the areas of management, sales, marketing and customer service as well as events organization. A university graduate in business administration, she also has several years of experience teaching college-level courses in hotel management, marketing, sales, professional communication and conference organizing. Isabelle has been working for several years as a consultant and professional coach, helping individuals and companies to achieve their full potential, optimize their resources and reach their goals. Isabelle is passionate about all aspects of holistic health, and has been working since 2012 as Executive Director in the design, development and implementation of an innovative concept for the Monastère des Augustines in Quebec City, Canada.
Elizabeth brings 20 years of vast experience studying, practicing, and teaching cross cultural healing arts including shamanism, yoga, dance, energy medicine, spiritual alchemy, music, writing, and bodywork. She is known for her gentle straight forward loving and playful approach, working with people and businesses as a healer, mentor, leader, and coach worldwide. Elizabeth is a prolific creator and entrepreneur, with a focus on assisting her clients understand and transform their blockages to deeply align with their dreams.
Dr. Tanya Pergola is an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, community development orchestrator, lead guide for The Healing Safaris, and a yoga and meditation instructor. A practicing sociologist and social psychologist, she is an inspirational voice sharing the indigenous healing wisdom of Africa with a globalized world. Especially close to her heart is Terrawatu Tanzania, a pioneering NGO she co-founded in 2000. Dr. Tanya is the author of the Nautilus award-winning book Time is Cows: Timeless Wisdom of the Maasai. She leads corporate wellness retreats in Africa and Europe as well as workshops and events in her home base of Miami, USA.
For over 20 years, Samantha’s passion for wellness has led her on a journey through every aspect of today’s Spa industry. A proven manager, trainer, therapist, retailer, and one of Asia-Pacific’s most experienced spa consultants, Samantha has been blessed to work with many of the region’s top brands. Her company, DSM, specialises in setting up and managing custom-concept destination spas and integrated wellness centres. Samantha runs international courses in spa development and management, is a published author and popular speaker. Twice awarded for her leadership in the spa industry, Samantha is currently founding President of the International Health & Wellness Alliance, which seeks to “empower humanity to embrace health and wellness” in order to make the world “healthier and happier”.
Velleda is a certified life and business coach and a trainer for leadership and authentic communication. She is also a renowned meditation teacher, traveling regularly to India for studying and teaching. Her sessions on self-awareness meditation support people to draw strength and wisdom from within, taking the mind to the heart. In her book ‘From Intention to Action’ she offers her experience of working with peoples’ intention over the last ten years, providing a clear method to overcome inner and outer obstacles to fulfilling one’s projects and dreams.