Archive 2018

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.

With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Ms. Stacy Fischer-Rosenthal has been instrumental in transforming Fischer Travel into an elite travel and lifestyle brand that prides itself on crafting close and lasting relationships with each of its clients. She has reshaped the company’s customer base with contacts in the financial industry and has brought a new demographic in search of the kind of care and attention unheard of in the digital age. Ms. Fischer’s present responsibilities include running the day-to-day business, managing the staff, and working with the travel consultants to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences for their clients. Ms. Fischer has streamlined management through information and technology processes so that consultants are able to travel, expand their knowledge, and maintain the integrity of the Fischer Travel brand. Her leadership is fundamental to Fischer Travel’s future success and innovation. Ms. Fischer sits on the advisory boards of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Ritz Carlton Hotels and Resorts, Luxury Travel Advisor, JG Black Book of Travel, Belmond (formerly known as Orient Express) and Rosewood Hotels and Resorts.

Ken Redcross, MD, is founder of Redcross Concierge, a personalized medical practice designed to enhance the patient-doctor relationship while providing convenient access to a full spectrum of healthcare services and holistic and wellness counseling. As one of the first full-service concierge, personalized medical practices in the United States, Redcross’ patient portfolio includes C-level business executives, athletes and professionals in the entertainment industry, as well as individuals from all walks and stages of life including college students, young professionals, busy parents and retirees. His focus on developing the patient-doctor bond is a unique characteristic of his concierge services that allows for a more strategic and customized approach to each patient’s healthcare plan. With extensive on-camera experience with major national television shows including “The Doctors,” “The Insider” and E! Entertainment Television, Redcross frequently shares his expertise in managing everyday health challenges to a broad audience. He has also authored numerous consumer-focused health articles for MSN Latino and Everyday Health.

Alexander Tertychnyy is the owner of the Green Flow Hotel in Russia. From 2010 until 2015, Alexander was the President of NTS Holding PLC, Russia’s leading railway company. His interest in a healthy lifestyle increased progressively and he started to visit healing programs all over the world. After gaining valuable insights he decided to leave the rail business. Collaborating with the best psychologists and nutritionists in the country, his aim was to establish a program that will help people to change their habits. In December 2016 , Alexander opened his first Healing Hotel and plans to open more resorts in other picturesque parts of Russia and Europe employing the same concept. He is a true pioneer in Russian Hospitality.

Mia Kyricos is president and founder of Kyricos & Associates LLC, a boutique advisory firm providing strategic guidance to wellness, hospitality, tourism and lifestyle companies. Sample clients include global hospitality brands, destination spas and health resorts, 3rd party operators and suppliers, tourism bureaus, wellness communities and healthy lifestyle brands in both the B2B and B2C space. Previously, Kyricos was Chief Brand Officer of Spafinder Wellness, Inc.® Kyricos was also vice president of Core Performance, the workplace wellness division of EXOS. She also served as director of global spa brands for Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide where she created (6) international spa brands. Kyricos holds a Masters of Management in Hospitality Administration (MMH) from Cornell University, and a Bachelor’s Degree (BA) in International Relations from Wheaton College. She sits on the Boards of the Global Wellness Summit (GWS) and the University of California Irvine (UCI) and is Chair of the Wellness Communities Initiative for the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), a non-profit educational foundation that she helped to found. She simply aspires to help people live well.

Graduated in UPMF as MBA and MAE. William is passionate about the combination of economy and sustainable development in the tourism industry. In the past years William was involved in professional management and strategy making as market leader, which led him be the first Chinese General Manager of the Westin brand. Just recently, after two years, he quit his role as Operation General Manager for 104 hotels in the Wanda Group. Stepping into Jinhai Lake, William took his ambition and passion into the health tourism industry. William and his team are building foundational and operational logic for healthcare, tourism, entertainment and Real Estate development.

Carina Preuß successfully completed her Bachelor degree course at the international Ecole hotelière de Lausanne in 2011. Subsequently, as part of her professional familiarization period in her family hotel operations at the Ayurveda Parkschloesschen, she worked in all departments of the hotel and optimized them firsthand. Next to her managerial role in the hotel, Carina gives regular talks encompassing all aspects of Ayurveda and Spirituality, completed her training as a yoga instructor in 2012, gives laughter yoga sessions and is an Ayurveda Lifestyle Consultant. As she loves to pass on the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and spirituality her brand new Ayurveda Lifestyle Online Course will release mid-March 2018.

Julia Zhang has been working for the brand Grand Bay Hotels for nearly 20 years. In 2017 she successfully completed her Bachelor degree in Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She is now the Deputy General Manger of the Grand Bay Hotel Beijing, the first Premium Member of Healing Hotels of the World in China, as well as the Deputy General Manager of the Grand Bay Hotel Zhuhai, the first Urban Healing Hotel of the World in China. Julia believes that the holistic healing touch is the most amazing thing that ever happened to the Chinese hotel and tourism industry.

Diana is one of the original pioneers of the raw food movement, an award winning author, motivational speaker, leading raw food chef, health and wellness educator as well as an expert spokesperson for alternative healing. She has coached over 1,000 people back to good health. Diana has created many successful products in health and wellness, and currently has turned her energies toward an international endeavor, The Retreat Costa Rica, a lifestyle hotel that opened May 2015 and already dubbed “Best wellness Spa in the Americas”. Diana is also the creator and lead formulator of the Truth Bar, an innovative probiotic/prebiotic bar and is passionately involved with every part of its development. She currently splits her time between Southern California and Costa Rica.

Steve Griffith is the Director and Founder of Sukhavati Ayurvedic Retreat & Spa, Bali as well as the Director and Founder of Griffith Consulting Group and Veda Wellness in Australia. As a leading pioneer in the application of Meditation in the workplace, Steve is a motivational public speaker and has been teaching, coaching and inspiring people around the world to utilize meditation for creativity, resilience and productivity while reducing stress. Steve was instrumental in the establishment of the first rural University in the Prey Veng province of Cambodia, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, during the early 1990’s (now called Chea Sim University of Kamchay Mear). Under his leadership and inspiration, funds were raised to build the first classrooms and halls of residence, and to subsidize faculty wages and student scholarships. Degree programs in agriculture and management were offered to help rebuild the country and to restore the wellbeing and confidence to the youth of the country following the devastating Pol Pot Regime. For 25 years and at over 200 seminars and conferences a year, Steve has coached and taught thousands of CEOs, organizational leaders and athletes how to utilize meditation as part of their high-performance, leadership and cultural strategy programs, with extraordinary results. Steve’s mission is to bring the latest research and thinking on how to create positive thinking and an solution orientation into the workplace through a holistic approach to wellbeing and productivity.

Lisa has over 30 years of experience in the beauty & wellness industry; in all aspects from a technician to regional manager. She has spent the last 17 years as a consultant and educator, helping companies maximize spa operations performance in both front and back of house. Lisa consults on a variety of topics including operations issues, finances & compensation, marketing, inventory management, retailing, human resource development, and business process improvement. She is also the Task Force Chair for the Global Wellness Institute Consulting Initiative, a Contributing Editor at Dayspa Magazine, a regular contributor to global trade publications, a highly-rated speaker at spa and beauty industry conferences, and offers spa management courses across the globe.

In the past Patrizia worked in the luxury hotel management as General Manager and Spa Director in several Hotels and Resorts all over Europe. From 2010 to 2017 she entirely designed, created and managed the multi award winning Vair Spa for Borgo Egnazia, in Southern Italy. An amazing Spa concept with deep meaning and allure that reached great results in customer retention, people care and industry innovation. Patrizia places a high value in self-discovery. She manages to create successful work environments rich in humanity and highlighted by an innovative, unforgettable touch. Her personal development training grants her a great understanding of Spa management; spa marketing on one hand and on the other a personal appreciation of skill in psycho-somatic naturopathy, natural therapy, psycho-aromatherapy, wellness life coaching, hydrotherapy and the many holistic approaches to personal care.

Samir Arora is heading the recently launched The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel. With key responsibilities including contracting wellness partners across the globe, all HR and hiring processes and primary franchise agreements, Samir is instrumental to the success of what is to become the Middle East’s first holistic wellbeing resort. Driven by passion and development he strives to take the property from concept through to internationally renowned success. Samir brings more than 20 years of international industry experience spanning Asia and the GCC. Throughout his distinguished career, the hospitality leader has received and been nominated multiple awards for both himself and the properties he has represented, from Hotelier’s GM of the Year to Trip Advisor’s Travellers Choice Award.

Award-winning journalist and author Abby Ellin has been writing professionally for over 17 years. In 2005, Ellin’s book “Teenage Waistland” was published by Public Affairs and shortly after was nominated for the prestigious Books for a Better Life award from the MS Society. Ellin is also the winner of the Arlene Award for her New York Times piece “When the Fine Print Applies to You,” on Lasik regret, and the Sword of Hope Award from the American Cancer Society for her piece “Confronting Cancer” in the Boston Tab. Her work has been published in an array of prestigious newspapers, magazines and web sites. Her interests range from cultural criticism to travel to trends to health to business. The video for her Most Emailed story on Ms. Senior America won the 2017 Best of Photojournalism, Feature Multimedia Award by the NPAA. Her new book, “Duped”, based on her cover story for Psychology Today, will be published in 2018 by Public Affairs/Hachette.

With over 15 years’ sales and marketing experience for global five-star hotel groups, Singapore-born Corinna Yap joined COMO Hotels & Resorts in 2008 as Director of Sales for COMO Shambhala – the group’s wellness and lifestyle brand. She was responsible for raising global awareness of the brand and directing wellness led travel to COMO Hotels & Resorts.In 2012, Corinna’s passion for spa led her into Spa Operations, taking on the challenge of guiding the new COMO Shambhala Urban Escape in London to operational and commercial success. Additionally Corinna continues to represent COMO Shambhala and COMO Shambhala Estate as a Brand Ambassador. As a founding member of the International Health & Wellness Alliance (IHWA), Corinna’s belief in the importance of integrating wellness within corporate, home life and communities has inspired her to spread this message throughout the spa industry, to corporations and to consumers.

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.

Sherry Amatenstein, LCSW is a NYC-based therapist and author of three books. She edited an anthology and is a former editor at Hearst and ivillage.com, and longtime journalist who has written for major publications. Before becoming a therapist she spent two years volunteering at a suicide hotline. She was also an interviewer for Steven Spielberg’s USC Shoah, a foundation dedicated to taking audio-visual testimony from Holocaust survivors. She and author Priscilla Warner, are starting a podcast: (IR)RECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES: Provocative Conversations to Get Our Nation Talking Again. In the spring she will be leading a workshop called How to Talk to a Trump Voter. Sherry runs seminars nationwide on how to deal with trauma and has offered relationship advice on Today, Early Show, and NPR. She co-led a workshop at The Omega Institute – Women Writing to Change the World as well as the retreat Women Writing to Change the World in Costa Rica.

Jocelyna Dubuc is a pioneer of the integrated health vacation industry. She opened Spa Eastman in Quebec in 1977, creating a sanctuary where university credentialed kinesiologists and gourmet chefs converge with naturopaths and spa therapists to offer a comprehensive personalized lifestyle and detox program. Spa Eastman is now recognized as the first Destination Spa in Canada and has gained numerous awards for its overall excellence. From a young age, Jocelyna Dubuc recognized the impact of food on health. Her strong belief is that healthy nutrition is a most effective way to heal and prevent the escalation of lifestyle diseases. The discovery of Dr Seignalet in 2009 was an opportunity for Jocelyna to heighten her thinking and develop at Spa Eastman a healthy and Tonic Cuisine that is low temperature cooking as well as gluten and dairy free. The result is delicious food that provides energy and vitality to the body and satisfies all palates.

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.

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.

Bianca is the Creative Director and host of Conscious Living TV. A graduate of Princeton University and The University of Virginia Law school, after a successful career as a Hollywood entertainment attorney at Paramount and later on-camera talent for hit U.S. TV shows on Lifetime, TV Guide and TV One, in 2006 Bianca combined her passion for media, health and sustainability to launch Conscious Living TV with her husband and business partner Michael. She won an EMMY© for her role as “Outstanding On-Camera Correspondent” on Conscious Living TV’s original series, Soul of Green, a news program about urban health and sustainability. A passionate wellness advocate, Bianca is a certified yoga instructor, 2nd degree Reiki master, eco-artist and certified raw food and plant-based nutritionist. From daily meditation and wearing ethical fashion to following a vegan diet and documenting healing travel around the world, she’s committed to the life-long journey of mindful living – one day at a time. In addition to her work on Conscious Living, Bianca has contributed to The Huffington Post and ReWire Me, and currently serves as a lifestyle contributor for Spirituality & Health Magazine. Bianca is also an award-winning fellow of the U.S.-based Association of Health Care Journalists.

Patricia is the founder of Spirit Yoga, one of the largest and most successful yoga schools of Europe, and had been a yoga teacher in the USA and Europe for many years. She writes regularly for Yoga magazines, trains yoga teachers, has her own series of Yoga Audio-CDs and DVDs and offers Wellness-Yoga retreats in comfortable and beautiful resorts around the world. Patricia developed “Spirit Yoga”, a yoga style that builds a bridge between traditional and modern yoga forms. Spirited and free it is at the same time transformative, healing, challenging and meditative. Patricia is author of the books “Yoga in pregnancy” and “Balance Yoga”(both in German).

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.

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.

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”.

As General Manager, Brian Brazeau directs and manages brand development and all international trade activates for [ comfort zone ] worldwide. Bringing his innovative vision and strong experience in the Global Beauty market, Brian will strengthen the communication of the [ comfort zone ] core values and develop new strategies to position this award winning Italian brand as unique in the industry.

Anaïs is the founder of the boutique consultancy Let’s Work Magic. In partnership with Elizabeth Cocoann Galis, she spearheaded a research project on holistic key performance indicators and leads corporate workshops that are designed to create a leadership framework that serve guts and brains, logic and emotion, business and healing. Anaïs speaks fluent English, Spanish and German and has lived and worked in 7 countries. Today, she is based in Berlin and travels to speak and train at organisations and conferences worldwide.

Shanti was born in Guadalajara and raised in an environment of Yoga, meditation and holistic wellbeing before these concepts became popular and accepted in Mexico. Shanti has travelled the world learning from different teachers, participating in many courses and lectures, learning different techniques in the field of Holistic Health. She has a degree in clinical psychology and interior design and the combination of these two fields lead to the creation of the Lotus Center. The holistic center provides therapeutic services for healing on the physical, mental and emotional levels, all within a peaceful architectural distribution and a lush landscape, setting the standard for all other wellness centers in Guadalajara that followed.

Joy Menzies is a hospitality and wellness management expert with 25 years of experience in Asia. During her first eight years she owned and operated five restaurants in Thailand and followed this with eight years as the Managing Director of Chiva-Som. In 2011 Joy and her fellow co-founders started Destination Spa Management which sets up and manages health resorts, integrated wellness centres and wellness communities. A natural organiser, she brings marketing and operational direction plus her experience as entrepreneur, therapist and senior director to all her projects.

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.

A leading wellness business consultant, Anni directs a cross section of spa, wellness and wellness tourism projects in several global regions. She advises and supports ministerial, tourism and wellness organisations, private businesses and individuals to achieve optimal results within the realm of health and wellness. Her work anchors in conceptual development, integration and positioning of services, strategic and operational design, operational delivery, programming and re positioning. She champions the simultaneous advantage of wellness and wellness tourism between public and private sector (in global regions and individual countries). She understands the rise in private sector demand and promotes public sector thinking around the available economic and socio economic benefits that feature within a population more focused on self-initiated health pursuits. Anni is the founder and visionary behind K.I.S Lifestyle– an online wellness community that provides affordable and accessible integrative health expertise through a range of assessment tools, recommendations and programming support. She also chairs the Wellness Tourism initiative for the Global Wellness Institute.

Anne Biging grew up in post war Germany and thus developed from early on a strong sense that healing can indeed happen and that life should not be filled with fear and depression. Naturally curious and with the consciousness that there is more in this world that meets the eye, Anne learned about health and well-being through the study of yoga, meditation, ancient Indian scriptures and several healing techniques.
After traveling the world as a journalist and book author, she successfully established her career in international tourism destination marketing and hotel consulting and is now the co-founder of Healing Hotels of the World and the HEALING SUMMIT. Healing Hotels of the World is the only global quality brand uniting the best and most advanced hotels and resorts in the field of holistic health under one umbrella. The brand is also at the forefront of supporting the global paradigm shift towards a soulful economy through organizing the HEALING SUMMIT.

Elisabeth Ixmeier is co-founder of Healing Hotels of the World, an exclusive global partnership of hotels, resorts and retreats offering holistic health and wellbeing in luxury surroundings. In founding Healing Hotels of the World Elisabeth combines her experience in tourism marketing with her enthusiasm for personal development and healing. Elisabeth has a PhD in philosophy and art history. Since more than 30 years she is practising the philosophy of Yoga and meditation. Before creating Healing Hotels of the World she has been a managing director at an international tourism marketing organisation. With her interest in philosophy and the art of living of western as well as eastern cultures and her international experience in holistic health she is a demanded speaker on holistic health topics and its implementation in the hotel industry internationally.