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Beth Mcgroarty VP, Research & Forecasting, GWI Beth McGroarty has led strategic communications and media relations for the Global Wellness Institute for five years, and also assists in Summit research projects, including WellnessEvidence.com. Formerly an academic, she was in the PhD program in English Literature at Stanford University, where she taught for six years and received dissertation fellowships from the Mellon and Mabel McLeod Lewis…

Melisa Pezuk Head of Development, Red Sea Global Melisa Pezuk, Head of Development at Red Sea Global, spearheads innovative regenerative tourism projects like AMAALA, The Red Sea and Thuwal, aiming to redefine luxury tourism through regenerative travel practices. With a track record of leading prestigious developments such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and AMAALA Cultural Projects, Melisa’s expertise extends to ultra-luxury hospitality,…

Ophelia Yeung Senior Research Fellow, GWI Ophelia Yeung has extensive experience leading research and strategy development for business, nonprofit, multilateral and government organizations, including 20+ years at SRI International and as the co-director for the Center for Science, Technology and Economic Development. Since 2008, she has co-authored many research studies for the GWI, including “The Global Wellness Economy: Country Rankings” in 2022 and “Wellness Real…

Katherine JohnstonSenior Research Fellow, GWI Katherine Johnston has extensive experience conducting economic and industry competitiveness studies worldwide, including 17 years as a senior economist with SRI International. Since 2008, Katherine has partnered with the GWI to pioneer groundbreaking research on the global wellness industry, with a focus on defining and measuring opportunities in the wellness economy, wellness tourism, workplace wellness and wellness communities/real estate. She…

Revital Shoan PinkasWellnessTech Innovator & Lab Director, HealthTech Valley Upon completing her law degree and training in Israel, Revital Shoan Pinkas relocated to New York where she managed the Manhattan office of Power Express Mortgage Bankers. Returning to Israel, she joined Comtecgroup as a project manager, steadily advancing and eventually assuming the role of CEO at Comtecmed, the medical division of Comtecgroup. She now leverages…

Nicky UnklesSenior Vice President, Cumming Corporation Nicky Unkles’ projects span the UK, the Caribbean, Miami and New York, bringing a vast knowledge to Cumming Corporation clients. After completing the multi–faceted $1B Faena development in Miami, he relocated to NYC to further grow Cumming’s market. He oversaw the opening of Ian Schrager’s new PUBLIC Hotel NYC and led teams to complete the EDITION Hotel Times Square,…

Veronica Schreibeis Smith CEO & Founding Principal, Vera Iconica Veronica Schreibeis Smith, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, leads a design brand focused on creating environments that support optimal human and planetary wellbeing. Her company is recognized as a global pioneer in wellness architecture, and she is also host of the podcast, “Architecture of Being: Composing a Conscious Life,” which explores the impact our surroundings have on…

Brett Phares Founder, aweStruct Brett Phares is an artist and curator working in immersive art and the built environment. With 20+ years in interactive media, he has created innovative projects inescapably informing the visual syntax of his personal work. He has written and taught on our habituated blindness of the everyday; is cofounder of Alys Beach’s annual light art exhibition Digital Graffiti, named one of top five…

Jay Lucas Founder & Managing Partner, LB Equity Jay Lucas is the founder and managing partner of LB Equity, investing in emerging, purpose-driven brands in beauty, wellness and personal care. He is also president of The Lucas Group, a strategy consulting firm he founded in 1991 that focuses on the specialized needs of private equity investors and their portfolio companies. Previously a partner of Bain…

Barry Goldstein CEO, Arch Amenities  With over a 30-year track record of successful strategic leadership, Barry Goldstein is best known for being an innovative transformation visionary who creates value by growing revenue through the optimization of sales, marketing, digital, distribution and technology.  His strengths are in managing organizational change to achieve maximum results and a superior customer experience. ​He has held executive positions at Wyndham…