SPEAKERS & PRESENTERS
Bev Maloney-Fischback
Founder & CEO
Wellness Media Company/Organic Spa Media
Bev Maloney-Fischback is the Founder and CEO of Wellness Media Company, parent company to Organic Spa Media, Wellness Travel University, and Wellness Travel Advisors. A global citizen of the world, with living experiences in Asia, Africa and Canada, Bev brings a unique perspective into the core message of wellness living. With over 35 years in the media and wellness industries, and tenures at esteemed media outlets like The New Yorker, Vogue, Gourmet, The Washington Post among others, Bev is recognized as an astute media and wellness lifestyle entrepreneur.
Liz Vaccariello
Editorial Director at Large
Organic Spa Media
Moderator: Touchless Wellness Technology & Innovations
MODERATORS
Moderator: Mental Well-Being & Rejuvenating Travel
Laura Begley Bloom
Founder
Begley Bloom Media
Moderator: Nature + Outdoor Travel
Jacqui Gifford
Editor-in-Chief
Travel + Leisure
Moderator: Healing & Nutrition
Lambeth Hochwald
Contributing Editor
Parade Magazine
Moderator: The Beauty Realignment
Amy Keller-Laird
Founder
Club Mental
Amy Keller Laird is the founder of Mental, at ClubMental.com, the first mental health lifestyle platform for women. She is the former Editor-in-Chief of Women's Health, EVP/Brand & Audience Development at Remedy Health Media, and Beauty Director of Allure. Amy is a thought leader in mental health, wellness, and beauty, and has appeared as an expert on Today, GMA, The Doctors, and Entertainment Tonight. She has OCD and has been named a Friend of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) for her journalistic work in mental health.
Moderator: Clean Beauty - Is it Still Relevant?
Kate Sandoval
Beauty Director
Oprah Daily
Moderator: Trends in Wellness & Sustainable Travel
Vivienne Tang
Founder & CEO
Destination Deluxe
Vivienne Tang is the founder of wellness and travel publication Destination Deluxe, which handpicks the best resorts, retreats, spas and beauty brands for the global nomad. She has made a name for herself in the wellness and travel field, and has been in lifestyle publishing for the last 23 years. She was previously Editor-in-Chief of AsiaSpa and Fashion Editor of Prestige Hong Kong. She is a frequent speaker at events and conventions and has held talks and panel discussions at the Global Wellness Summit, World Spa & Wellness Asia, Thailand Spa and Well-Being Summit, PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart, Cosmoprof Asia Spa Conference, Hong Kong International Literary Festival, Swire Women’s Network, and Female Entrepreneurs Worldwide.
Moderator: The CBD Conversation
Jed Wexler
Executive Director
Luxury Meets Cannabis Conference (LMCC)
PANELISTS
Panelist: The Beauty Realignment
Julie Bach
Executive Director
Wellness for Cancer Charity
Julie is a thought leader within the global spa and wellness industry and has spent 20 years as a cancer advocate to facilitate greater access to integrative wellness modalities. She was named Leading Woman in Wellness by the Global Wellness Summit in 2017 for her dedication to creating a more inclusive well world. Bach is the Executive Director of Wellness for Cancer with a presence in 60+ countries and which launched the first global well-being app by the wellness industry for individuals touched by cancer. Julie’s work is an integration of her life’s experiences in the corporate world of strategy, technology, and change management; coupled with her experiences with wellness as a health coach and teacher of yoga, meditation, mindfulness and resiliency.
Panelist: Clean Beauty - Is Organic Still Relevant?
Karen Ballou
Founder & CEO
Immunocologie
Karen Ballou is the Founder and CEO of Immunocologie skincare and a partner at Lucas Brand Equity, an equity firm that acquires beauty brands. A beauty industry leader, entrepreneur, and master esthetician, Karen founded Immunocologie skincare after battling Hodgkin's lymphoma. Immunocologie skincare is an innovative and holistic skin health company that strengthens the skin's microbiome and immuno-skin protection system through mineral delivery science. Karen sources ingredients and new technologies for Immunocologie skincare from around the world and works to empower women by creating jobs within their communities. This allows her to create sustainable, distinct, and efficacious products.
Panelist: The CBD Conversation
Anne Biging
Co-Founder & CEO
Healing Hotels of the World
Anne Biging is co-founder and CEO of Healing Hotels of the World, a unique hospitality brand that features the most exclusive and authentic hotels and resorts in the field of holistic healing. She proved to be a visionary when she brought Healing Hotels of the World to life in 2006, anticipating people’s desire to experience a profound, personal transformation towards a healthier, fulfilling lifestyle, way beyond the average wellness vacation. Healing Hotels of the World unites more than 90 hotels under its roof, making them known to a global audience.
Panelist: Touchless Wellness Technology & Innovations
Ross Bloom
Chief Executive Officer
The BioStation
Panelist: Mental Well-Being & Rejuvenating Travel
Patrizia Bortolin
Wellness Project Manager & Director
Dolce Vita Hotel Preidlhof
Panelist: Trends in Wellness & Sustainable Travel
Emlyn Brown
Senior VP, Well-Being
Accor
Panelist: Nature + Outdoor Travel
Meaghan Carlson
Vice President, Brand & Marketing
Sensei Wellness
As Vice President, Brand and Marketing, Meaghan Carlson tackles all of Sensei’s brand initiatives and marketing strategy, including overseeing the PR, advertising, website, marketing analytics, design and social media functions. She is also a corporate spokesperson for the company, interfacing with media on a regular basis and ensuring brand continuity across all guest touch points. Meaghan's 5+ year tenure at Sensei had included spearheading openings for both Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort and the newly opened Sensei Porcupine Creek in Greater Palm Springs. Meaghan brings over a decade of experience in marketing leadership roles at technology startups and award winning creative agencies advising iconic brands such as Disney, PayPal, Coca Cola and Diageo.
Panelist: Trends in Wellness & Sustainable Travel
Aline Clavellina
CMO & Consumer Director
Palmaïa - The House of AïA
Panelist: Trends in Wellness & Sustainable Travel
Nicholas Clayton
President
GOCO Hospitality
Nicholas Clayton, the newly appointed President of GOCO Hospitality, is guiding the wider expansion of GOCO projects globally, including Glen Ivy Hot Springs. GOCO Hospitality is a pioneering consultancy, development and management company creating, designing and operating tomorrow’s spa and wellness hospitality concepts. Clayton is seasoned in hospitality and wellness with demonstrated success in embedding a culture of excellence at world-class hospitality destinations, such as the Capella Hotel Group in Singapore, Jumeirah Group in Dubai and has also managed operations of hotel properties within the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. Clayton's vision for GOCO Hospitality is to create, innovate and operate the future of wellness hospitality and create the ultimate wellness community with Glen Ivy's expansion.
Panelist: Nature + Outdoor Travel
Nancy Deaton
Spa Director
The Lodge at Woodloch
Nancy Deaton, Spa Director, joined The Lodge at Woodloch in the Fall of 2006, their opening year. Nancy was instrumental in ensuring the spa treatments, fitness options, outdoor adventure program, and creative discovery classes flourished in the luxury market through guest-centric service and top-quality products. Since the opening, Nancy has spearheaded the evolution of The Lodge at Woodloch as a world-class destination spa by adding programming such as Forest Bathing, a spinning room, rowing room, FLOAT Therapy room, stand-up paddle boarding program, custom-designed Labyrinth, archery program, and managed a multi-million dollar spa renovation. Prior to landing at The Lodge at Woodloch, Nancy was the spa desk Manager at The Equinox in Manchester, Vermont. Nancy has over 20 years of experience in the luxury spa and hospitality field that is only matched by her passion to provide an amazing experience.
Panelist: Mental Well-Being & Rejuvenating Travel
Dean Fenton
U.S. Director of Tourism
Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority
Panelist: The Beauty Realignment
Betsy Froelich
Director, Marketing, Hospitality & Real Estate
Kohler Co.
Betsy has long been passionate about wellness, travel and design, and its impact on everyday life. She has 15 years of experience with Kohler and currently provides marketing leadership for its resort businesses in the United States and St. Andrews, Scotland. This includes Destination Kohler, home of Whistling Straits, Blackwolf Run, and the American Club. Other properties include The Old Course Hotel, Lodge Kohler, and five Kohler Waters Spa locations.
Panelist: Touchless Wellness Technology & Innovations
Jason Frohlich
President
ReLounge Wave Mat
Serial wellness entrepreneur, marathon runner and Ironman 70.3 triathlete with extensive experience leading health companies and wellness initiatives across North America. He’s passionate about helping people live healthier and more fulfilling lifestyles and his mission is to help them address their neck & back pain using ground breaking touchless, bioelectrical technology. He’s got your back!
Panelist: Trends in Wellness & Sustainable Travel
Sheri Howell
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Medjet
Panelist: The CBD Conversation
Stephen Letourneau
Chief Branding Officer
Better for You Wellness
Stephen Letourneau is the Chief Branding Officer and member of the Board of Directors for Better For You Wellness, a publicly traded plant-based science-focused wellness company. He is responsible for the ideation, creation, and development of brand ethos, product development, and leading the strategy surrounding the launching and growth of individual luxe skincare and wellness product lines.
Panelist: Touchless Wellness Technology & Innovations
Francisco Levine
Chief Business Officer
Bryte Beds
Panelist: Touchless Wellness Technology & Innovations
Connor Martin
Senior Sales & Business Development
BioCharger
Panelist: Nature + Outdoor Travel
Roma Maxwell
VP, Marketing & Communications
Rancho La Puerta
Roma Maxwell is VP of Marketing and Communications for the life-changing wellness resort and spa, Rancho La Puerta, in Tecate, Mexico. During her 18+ years, the property has consistently topped the “World’s Best” by the readers of Travel + Leisure. Roma’s passion lies in introducing programs and experiences that transform guests' lives. Recently, she played an integral role in launching The Residences at Rancho La Puerta, a wellness residential community. Roma is a member of the Global Wellness Summit (GWS), the International Spa Association (ISPA), and the Wellness Committee of Virtuoso Travel Network. She is a firm believer in Rancho La Puerta’s philosophy of mind, body, and spirit. In her free time, she is often seen running the hills of her neighborhood and “chauffeuring” her beloved children between ballet competitions and tennis tournaments.
Panelist: Mental Well-Being & Rejuvenating Travel
Erica Merrill
Director of Business Development
Air Partner
Panelist: The CBD Conversation
Sarah Mirsini
Founder
MāSK Skincare
Sarah's 20+ years of passion for wellness and plant medicine made her come up with the idea of MĀSK. Sarah, struggled with acne from her early teens. From changing her diet, to trying countless of skincare brands, she discovered CBD oil through a holistic path she was taking in reclaiming her health. The more Sarah worked to live her most vibrant live, the more she realized that self-acceptance was at the heart of her health—inside and out. After graduating from The Integrative Wellness Academy, she dug deeper in the Cannabis world and discovered the healing powers of Cannabinoids. She believes in a holistic lifestyle where the inside counts just as much as the outside. Growing up on the islands of Greece and the mountains of Norway, she utilized the tools she was taught to form not just a lifestyle, but a brand.
Panelist: Mental Well-Being & Rejuvenating Travel
Mahesh Natarajan
Chief Operating Officer
Ananda in The Himalayas
Panelist: The Beauty Realignment
Cathy O'Brien
Chief Executive Officer
Naturopathica
Panelist: Touchless Wellness Technology & Innovations
Tammy Pahel
Chief Wellness Officer
Alchemy Wellness Resorts
Pahel has been innovating her entire career for over 30 years and has been continuously elevating the spa and wellness experiences. With her forward-thinking approach and strategic partnerships with leading global wellness technology brands, she has brought over a million dollars in cutting-edge technology named touchless wellness experiences during a time when people are seeking different types of wellness services. Pahel strategically developed new revenue streams, increasing profitability, and continuing to enhance the guest experiences. A wellness expert, having opened over 13 different spas and wellness spa resorts. She is presently the VP of Spa & Wellnesss of the ground-breaking and independently owned Carillon Miami Wellness Resort. As mentioned, Tammy has a talent for not only bringing cutting-edge wellness, fitness, and spa treatments to market, but she has the magic touch of making each of her wellness projects profitable!! She is also one of the founders of a new consultancy & management company, Alchemy Wellness Resorts, so she has a global approach. Tammy has participated in Wellness Panels at the Hotel & Spa Forum Paris, Global Wellness Summit & Forbes Annual Summit.
Panelist: Clean Beauty - Is it Still Relevant?
Manon Pilon
Director of Research & Development
Deme & CO
Panelist: Mental Well-Being & Rejuvenating Travel
Laszlo Puczko
CEO & Co-Founder
HTWWLife
Panelist: Clean Beauty - Is Organic Still Relevant?
Alysia Reiner
Actress & Zero Waste Eco Emissary
Izzy Beauty
Award-winning Alysia Reiner is best known as SAG award winning "FIG" on 7 seasons of Orange Is the New Black, and originating the role of Agent Sadie Deever in Ms. Marvel ( Pan Asian Critics Choice Best Ensemble Cast). She just finished her 5th season as Sunny on Better Things ( nominated for a Critics Choice in 2023) , her second season as Kathryn in STARZ’s Shining Vale starring with Courtney Cox and Greg Kinnear, as well as 2 seasons as KIKI on THE DEUCE. A few other filmed adventures include getting married in the Oscar winning film Sideways, getting naked in an Emmy Award winning episode of Broad City, and going head to head against Viola Davis on How To Get Away with Murder, and she just starred in The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something has Passed ( Cannes 2023) and O HORIZON with David Strathairn and Maria Bakalova.
She has been at the forefront of environmentally aware living since her first earth day as a teen, is the first ever zero waste eco-emissary for IZZY ZERO WASTE BEAUTY, on the board of earth day initiative, started a food waste campaign for the NRDC & SAVE THE FOOD, and has led countless organic living and eco- initiatives.
Panelist: Nature + Outdoor Travel
Kathy Rivard
Spa & Wellness Director
Blackberry Mountain
Panelist: Clean Beauty - Is It Still Relevant?
Sabrina Rowe Holdsworth
Celebrity Hairstylist & Founder
NTRL by Sabs
Panelist: Healing & Nutrition
Stefanie Sacks
Founder & CEO
WTFork.com
Stefanie Sacks is a nationally recognized Culinary Nutritionist, author, educator, speaker, consultant, and leading authority on eating to prevent illness and restore health. She is also the Founder of WTFORK.com the no B.S. Roadmap to Healthier Choices, inspired by her book What the Fork Are Your Eating. Stefanie received her Master of Science in Nutrition from Teachers College, Columbia University, is a Certified Nutrition Specialist®, Certified Dietitian Nutritionist, and a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts. For decades, Stefanie has helped transform the way people eat using hands-on experiences to inspire and educate, while offering practical tools for food lifestyle change. As a chef, nutritionist, and innate healer, she empowers people to eat and live to their full potential.
Panelist: The CBD Conversation
Antonia Schreiber
Owner
The Windham Spa
Whether writing for industry trade magazines, traveling the world, or practicing Organic and Biodynamic farming Antonia is in constant pursuit of the extraordinary and higher education. As owner and founder of The Windham Spa Antonia brings 20 years of experience in the treatment room as a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist, Cosmetologist specializing in Aesthetic Science, and Electrologist all while being under 40. Outside of the spa her collaborations include The United States Olympic and Paralympic Bobsled and Skeleton teams, historic Kür Baths of Europe, Union Cycliste Internationale, and the New York State Department of Education.
Louie Schwartzberg
Award-Winning Director, Producer & Cinematographer
Louie Schwartzberg is the director of Gratitude Revealed and an award-winning cinematographer, director and producer who has spent his notable career providing breathtaking imagery using his time-lapse, high-speed and macro cinematography techniques. His other work includes Fantastic Fungi, which was the #1 documentary on iTunes for 4 weeks, the Disneynature film Wings of Life, narrated by Meryl Streep, the 3D IMAX film Mysteries of the Unseen World, narrated by Forest Whitaker, and the hit series Moving Art. Louie has just launched his own 4K streaming channel, The Louie Channel, presenting curated positive content designed to cultivate wonder and awe and a connection with the earth and one another. Schwartzberg is a visual artist who breaks barriers, connects with audiences, and tells stories that celebrate life and reveal the mysteries and wisdom of nature, people, and places.
Panelist: Healing & Nutrition
Hillary Sheinbaum
Wellness Journalist & Author
"The Dry Challenge: How to Lose the Booze for Dry January, Sober October, and Any Other Alcohol-Free Month"
Hilary Sheinbaum is a New York based journalist and the author of "The Dry Challenge: How to Lose the Booze for Dry January, Sober October, and Any Other Alcohol-Free Month" (HarperCollins), a judgment-free guide to giving up alcohol for a month-long period. As a prominent figure in the sober-curious space, Hilary was dubbed "the Dry January M.V.P." by The New York Times in 2023. Hilary has contributed to The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg, and The Huffington Post, among other top tier publications. She has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS, NBC, and more.
Panelist: Healing & Nutrition
Karina Stewart
Founder & Chief Wellness Officer
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary
Karina Stewart is a renowned authority on holistic health and wellbeing. An acclaimed speaker and innovator, Karina has more than 40 years of experience in the study and practice of diverse Asian healing and spiritual traditions. She has a Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has studied Hellerwork, cranial-sacral manipulation, yoga, and Taoist philosophy and practice, and designed and directed medical detoxification protocols. She is the creative force behind Kamalaya’s uniquely synergistic and transformational experience, a profound expression of her and her husband John’s life journeys and their deep commitment to service and positive contribution.
Panelist: The Beauty Realignment
Ruth-Ann Thorn
Founder
N8iV Beauty
Panelist: The Beauty Realignment
Katherine Tomasso
National Director of Education
Yon-Ka Paris
In her role, Tomasso is responsible for developing YON-KA's national educational programs. She is dedicated to elevating the standards of post-graduate education for licensed aestheticians and body therapists.
Panelist: Trends in Wellness & Sustainable Travel
Marion Walsh-Hedouin
Vice President, Public Relations & Communications
Minor Hotels - Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas
With a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry, Marion Walsh Hedouin has played a pivotal role in shaping the image and reputation of Minor Hotels and its eight global brands, including Anantara, Avani, Tivoli, and NH Collection. In her position, Marion has helped develop and expand Anantara Spas’ reputation as a leader in the wellness category, including the introduction of Anantara’s signature Balance Wellness Retreats and the brand-new BDMS medical wellness clinic at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort. Throughout her career, Marion has successfully developed and executed comprehensive communication strategies that have elevated the presence of Minor Hotels and its diverse portfolio of brands. Her keen understanding of media relations, crisis management, and brand storytelling has helped position Minor Hotels as a leader in the hospitality industry. As the Vice President of Public Relations & Communications, Marion continues to spearhead the company's efforts in crafting compelling narratives, managing brand reputation, and engaging with global audiences. Before joining Minor Hotels, Marion, an Irish national, held key positions with InterContinental Hotels and celebrity chef Alain Ducasse in Hong Kong, Paris, and New York.
Panelist: Healing & Nutrition
Marci Zaroff
Founder & CEO
ECOfashion Corp