Join Our Catalytic Community of Philanthropists Join Our Catalytic Community of Philanthropists

The Wellbeing Welldoing Network
The Wellbeing Welldoing Network (WWN) is a group of visionary philanthropists who are deeply aligned with The Wellbeing Project’s theory of change: wellbeing inspires welldoing. Members of this intimate network not only contribute to the Project with financial support, they also bring their unique knowledge, experiences and connections to the network and Project, helping us strengthen our community and advance our mission.

WWN members sustain the Project in different and fundamental ways and in return, they benefit from new relationships, connections, insights, strategies and practices to apply in their social impact work.

Why Join? Why Join?

HOW TO GET INVOLVED? HOW TO GET INVOLVED?

Contribution

Make a minimum one-time or multi-year gift.

Engage as a Group

Quarterly virtual gatherings with exclusive updates from The Project and the broader wellbeing field.

Help Build a Movement

Most WWN Members are eager to share and invite other like-minded people to The Project; however, we respect that each member has a unique preference and capacity to engage with us.

Donation Tiers Donation Tiers

Empower Positive Change

LEVELS OF GIVING

Join The Wellbeing Welldoing Network and contribute to a culture shift that puts wellbeing at the heart of individual, social, and planetary change. Your support will contribute to unlocking more of the extraordinary collaboration and innovation we need to address the great challenges of our time. Gifts can be one time or spread out over a period of 3 years and can be made in Euros or US Dollars.

WHAT WILL YOU BE SUPPORTING? WHAT WILL YOU BE SUPPORTING?

WWN members provide financial resources, ideas, and connections to The Wellbeing Project, which are fundamental to advancing our mission. Specifically, your contribution will drive our five pillars of work, while also contributing to the overall wellbeing of our organization and team.

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JOIN THE WELLBEING WELLDOING NETWORKJOIN THE WELLBEING WELLDOING NETWORK

If you’re interested in becoming a part of the Wellbeing Welldoing Network or want to learn more about how you can contribute to our mission, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with John Gasko. You can reach John at john@wellbeing-project.org.

We look forward to hearing from you and together, creating a world where wellbeing inspires welldoing.

Wellbeing Of The World Wellbeing Of The World

A Global Symphony

“Wellbeing of the World – A Global Symphony” is an international, collaborative music project by composer/inventor Tod Machover and his team at the MIT Media Lab. Over the next two years, the music project will sample perspectives on inner, organisational, societal and planetary wellbeing at the regional Hearth Summits, as well as more generally, all leading up to the global Hearth Summit in 2025. This uniquely exciting initiative aims at exploring through sounds of all kinds how different cultures and communities explore the journey of wellbeing for individuals, organisations, communities, societies and the planet, for the current moment as well as for the future.

With “Wellbeing of the World — A Global Symphony,” Tod Machover, the MIT Media Lab, The Wellbeing Project, and the regional Hearth Summits are launching a new initiative whose ambition is to collect sounds, voices and music from the different regional and global summit locations to create a true world symphony, the very first of its kind. The project is designed to explore and promote wellbeing by weaving together the unique sounds that the different cultures and places around the world select to explore the journey of wellbeing for individuals, organisations, communities, societies and for the planet.

“Wellbeing of the World — A Global Symphony” will culminate at the 2024 global Hearth Summit, with a headline musical performance that brings together this collective and global artistic expression of wellbeing, and will also be expressed in a first-ever, AI-generated “flowing symphony” that will constantly evolve, inviting sonic input and listener preference far into the future.

Throughout the two-year journey, local communities from all the regional and global Hearth Summit locations will be invited to help create this collective story, using software specially designed at the MIT Media Lab.

Sounds can come from professional musicians and amateurs, from people of all ages and backgrounds, and from anything in the environment (human-created or not) that conveys a vivid sense of place and of purpose.

As the sounds are collected, using research currently underway at the MIT Media Lab and under Tod Machover’s creative supervision, the process will combine, contrast and coordinate them to dramatize individual voices as well as collective harmony. The result will be an ever-changing musical piece: the Wellbeing of the World Symphony, a sonic portrait of wellbeing around the world.

Wellbeing Of The World Wellbeing Of The World

At the Regional Hearth Summits

Meet Tod at The Wellbeing Summit 2022

The City Symphonies Model

The model which brought this highly original initiative to life is to be found in the City Symphonies, a project developed by Machover and the MIT Media Lab since 2013, which invited citizens of a specific city from all ages and backgrounds to work together to create its sonic portrait, constructed from contributed sounds ranging from musical to noise, composed to “found,” and from expert to anything. This project was also brought to Bilbao on the occasion of the 2022 Global Wellbeing Summit for Social Change. City Symphonies have not only resulted in powerfully memorable musical compositions, but also have built extraordinary community and cultivated creativity in radical new ways.

About Tod Machover About Tod Machover

Tod Machover, composer and inventor, is Muriel R. Cooper Professor of Music & Media at the MIT Media Lab, where he is also Director of the Opera of the Future Group and Academic Head.

He has been called “America’s most wired composer” by The Los Angeles Times, and “a musical visionary” by The New York Times, and is widely celebrated for inventing new technologies that expand music’s potential for emotional expression, for creating community, and for enhancing health and wellbeing.

Tod Machover’s work has been awarded numerous prizes and honors from organizations such as the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Fromm and Koussevitzky music foundations, the National Endowment for the Arts, the German and French ministries of culture, the World Technology Network, and Musical America (that named him Composer of the Year in 2016). He has been commissioned and performed by many of the world’s most prominent cultural organizations, including Yo-Yo Ma, the Pompidou Center (Paris), the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, The Kronos Quartet, and many others. Machover is especially recognized for his groundbreaking operas, including the audience-interactive Brain Opera, the “robotic” Death and the Powers (Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize), and his current opera project, The Overstory, based on Richard Powers’ Pulitzer Prize winning novel about trees and the urgency of recalibrating the relationship between humans and the non-human world.

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Join this selection of exciting conversations introducing us to The Wellbeing Summit Bogotá,  a unique happening highlighting the importance of promoting wellbeing among changemakers in Latin America. Prepare for a three-day meeting where we will explore the concept of wellbeing and live transformative experiences through workshops, immersions, ancestral practices, and artistic presentations.

Get ready to discover skills and tools that you can use in your daily life and in your work as change leaders, to increase your wellbeing and that of those around you!

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EPISODE 1

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Sandrine Woitrin played a vital role in Starbucks’ launch in Spain and France and contributed to establishing the CSR department for Grupo Vips and Starbucks in both countries. With a background in Naturopathy and a passion for alternative therapies, she now co-leads The Wellbeing Project, a global initiative in collaboration with esteemed organizations such as Ashoka, Impact Hub, Georgetown University, Porticus, the Skoll Foundation, and Synergos. The project aims to promote inner wellbeing for change agents worldwide.
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EPISODE 2

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Camilo Hoyos, co-founder of Fundación Gratitud, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Catalina Cock, a remarkable entrepreneur, social weaver, and co-founder and president of Fundación Mi Sangre. During this dialogue, Catalina opens up about how her experience in higher education in the United States, coupled with a strong desire to remain connected with her country, served as the catalyst for creating this foundation. Their intention behind its establishment was to break down barriers and foster unity through impactful social transformation.
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EPISODE 3

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Mireya Vargas is a distinguished sociologist with expertise in Economics and Liberal Studies. As a Fellow at Stanford University’s Distinguished Career Institute, she focuses on research related to Sustainable Human Development and Well-being in Latin America. Her recent work delves into personal wellbeing, depth psychology, and cultural complexities.
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EPISODE 4

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Introducing this week’s guest, Silvia Haba de Merlo, Founder and Executive Director of Coimpacta. Silvia leads the charge in promoting wellness spaces and essential tools for Spanish-speaking social impact professionals. With a decade in the social sector, she drives projects focused on social-emotional skills and community building. Trained in economics and public policies, her international journey informs her passion for linking internal well-being with social transformation. Based in Panama for the last nine years, Silvia is a true global citizen with a mission.
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EPISODE 5

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Meet Andrei Ram, a renowned yoga teacher and founder of Breath Based Yoga. From Colombia, he rose as a Contemporary Dancer and holds an Anthropology degree. Trained by Master Sri Dharma Mittra for over a decade, Andrei shaped Yoga Teacher Training at New York’s Dharma Yoga Center.

With emphasis on breath, Andrei Ram merges Himalayan and Tibetan traditions, training instructors in 30+ countries. He revitalizes yoga for modern life with integrity and adaptability.

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ABOUT THE WELLBEING SUMMIT BOGOTÁ

The Wellbeing Summit Bogotá will gather local changemakers across Iberoamérica in the region’s first summit focused on the intersection of wellbeing and social change. Honouring local culture, ancestral indigenous knowledge and traditions, and lived experiences of changemakers in the region, the Summit will introduce the wellbeing movement in Iberoamérica, sparking dialogues on how inner wellbeing contributes to positive social transformation.

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Research

Welcome to our Wellbeing Research Section.  In this section we look to give you an overview of the research that the Project has undertaken, research from our network, and research more generally into wellbeing.  Research is central to our efforts.  From the very beginning of the Project it has been critical to building a credible base of knowledge.

We do research directly by engaging with highly regarded research partners to design, execute and disseminate pioneering research.  We have undertaken work on changemaker wellbeing, connecting changemaker wellbeing to outcomes for communities, and connecting changemaker wellbeing to systems change.  We have also undertaken work on topics like Intergenerational Trauma and Ecological Belonging.

More generally our network has also been doing research work on wellbeing and changemaking.  We hope that the research presented here helps make better sense of the wellbeing and social change space.

In this section you will be able to find both our work and those of our many network partners.  What you will see is that there is a significant and robust case for wellbeing at the heart of social change that has been built over the years. We hope it helps with building a richer understanding of the topic.  We would be glad for your help in continuing to build this resource.  If there’s anything that you think is missing please do let us know !

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RESEARCH FROM THE WELLBEING NETWORK

Studies, Articles & Findings By Our Network

Bienestar y salud mental de Emprendedores/as sociales en Iberoamérica
Mireya Vargas Lavado, José Manuel Roche
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Conscious Change Study
Global Grassroots
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Rewards of Kindness? A Meta-Analysis of the Link Between Prosociality and Well-Being
American Psychological Association
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Approaching the Heart of the Matter: Personal Transformation and the Emergence of New Leadership
Synergos
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Saúde e Performance de pessoas empreendedoras
endeavour
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A “Pénc” for African Wellbeing: Convening social change actors at a critical moment A “Pénc” for African Wellbeing: Convening social change actors at a critical moment

Guest post by

Elena Bonometti, CEO of Tostan

African, community-centered, collaborative models are showing a way forward that is organized around locally driven and globally supported efforts. Locally-led initiatives, capacity development for communities and agency-first programs are mapping ways to both address unequal and antiquated power dynamics, and ensure that communities are centered and leading as they face shared global challenges.  

Yet even with promising directions like these, the realities of rapid, multiple global crises and growing challenges have also created a largely unaddressed and growing risk: those at the center of social change and wellbeing efforts are being stretched increasingly thin. In particular, there is a growing risk that the wellbeing of the social sector and community leaders is declining when the world needs it the most. 

Wellbeing can be defined in numerous ways. In Tostan’s work in partnership with communities, it is communities that define what wellbeing means for them and their goals. Commonly we see themes around health, finance, education, women’s leadership, equality, and governance emerging. These are lessons we must take into professional, personal and community-wide projects to consider wellbeing not as a “nice to have” but as absolutely essential to social cohesion. 

The potential challenge  of a decline in wellbeing is especially relevant  in West Africa, where a  social sector already confronted in recent decades by major issues — in health, education, economic hardship and many others — now faces many new challenges simultaneously – as climate change joins pandemics, challenges to peace and security and the erosion of democracy, and increasing inequality. 

Yet West Africa also has many positive aspects and major contributions to make to our world – ways of seeing and being that promote inclusion and respect and increasingly feel relevant to a fragmented world. As my colleague Carina Ndiaye, Chief Partnerships Officer for Tostan puts it:

In Senegal we call it Teraanga. For openness, sharing. It means: we invite you to come in.  But this cultural norm is present throughout the region and throughout the continent…Through Teraanga, the concept behind the Hindi word Namaste (meaning: the light in me sees the light in you), is extended and reinforced to say, what is mine is yours. Not only materialistically, but the earth, the sun, the sea, and the unseen as well. From visitor to member. From transitory to influenced. In our culture, the ‘you’ never stands alone. What affects you, what ails you, what reinforces you also affects me and my community. And community means any, and everyone, who walks our way and crosses our path.

In Senegal and across West Africa, when challenges arise, a community gathering – referred to as a pénc in Wolof – is called to bring together the community for discussion. 

For all these reasons Tostan and our partners will host an African-based, African-led, globally connected pénc – a convening at the intersection of wellbeing as a global goal–and growth of wellbeing as a daily practice in our organizations, communities, and personal lives. To support the emergence of sustained impacts in wellbeing through practices of wellbeing. wellbeing within ourselves, our organizations, our communities, our nations, and around our world. 

Together with partners like you we hope to convene a discussion among African actors about critical local, regional and global issues at the heart of wellbeing across the continent. 

Madelaine VanDerHeyden

Senior Marketing and Storytelling Manager at The Wellbeing Project

Paris, France

Connect with Madelaine VanDerHeyden on social media :

Madelaine is a skilled marketing and communications professional passionate about using storytelling to encourage community in our pursuit of social change and sustainability. From a family of artists, musicians, and writers, Madelaine’s love for storytelling is deeply personal; as a conscious citizen and yogi, her passion for human unity is as well.

Madelaine’s connection with The Wellbeing Project started in 2020 after her year spent abroad in Auroville, India, where she researched compassionate communication in sustainability and social change organizations. Curious about the inner, affective experience of communication and development, she found the Project and its motto, ‘wellbeing inspires welldoing’, which spoke deeply to her research and personal experiences. Today, she is thrilled to be reunited with the Project and join the Storytelling Team.

In her career communicating across a variety of media — including broadcast television, print journalism, and digital channels — Madelaine brings a dynamic approach to storytelling which allows her to effectively engage diverse audiences ranging from women’s self-help groups in rural India to international corporations to the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

She has a Masters of Arts in Global Communications from the American University of Paris, and a Bachelors of Art in English and International Affairs from the University of Washington.

In her free time, Madelaine can be found practicing (and teaching) yoga, reading, hiking, leisurely walking the streets of Paris, and FaceTiming with her family and dog back home in sunny southern California.

What does inner wellbeing mean to you?
Peace.

How would you define wellbeing in one word?
Blossoming.

Are there any rituals or practices you use to enhance your wellbeing?
Joyful movement, intuitive eating, getting a full night’s sleep, therapy, mindful walking, and artistic creation.

Why is it important that we prioritize individual, organizational and societal wellbeing?Wellbeing, to me, is the root of all peaceful experiences on this earth. It brings us back to our roots to help us truly know who we are, how to live in community with others, and see what type of world we want to live in. With wellbeing in our minds and hearts, we can awaken from the dream of human unity and live in real harmony with each other and Mother Earth.

Valeria Peredo Figini

People & Culture Lead at The Wellbeing Project

Spain

Connect with VALERIA PEREDO FIGINI on social media :

Valeria has developed her professional career in the HR field. She has played different roles as HRBP, expert in training, talent management, leadership development, culture, well-being and employee experience in different companies for more than 15 years. Since 2017 she has the accreditation of the International Coaching Federation (ACC) and the Coactive Coactive and HR Agile certifications (CPCC – ICP-AHR).

Since 2018 she has been working as a Senior consultant on internal communication projects, employee engagement, cultural transformation and leadership, executive and team coaching, collaborating with different talent development firms. Since 2018 , she is also a volunteer at PWN Madrid, a profesional women network association. She is the Academic Director of The Human and Digital leadership program. In adition to this role, she also performs as responsible for the anual individual coaching program for executive women organised pro-bono together with UNED ( Spain National at a distance University) and Green Light GO ( CTI Spain).

Since novemeber 2022 she is People & Culture Lead for The Wellbeing Project. She firmly believes that in order to better adapt to the rapidly changing world we live in,
it is important to learn how to keep ourselves and our work environment psychologically safe. She is focused on helping people, leaders and teams to grow and flourish in environments of healthy and sustainable relationships.

What does inner wellbeing mean to you?
Inner wellbeing is the constant practice of all the activities that help us feel healthy, at peace of mind and full of energy. Each of us need to go through the journey to discover what are those specific initiatives that care and nourish our physical, mental , emotional and spiritual health.

How would you define wellbeing in one word?
Living at your full potential.

Are there any rituals or practices you use to enhance your wellbeing?
I practice yoga, I meditate and take care as much as I can of muy closest relationships.

Why is it important that we prioritize individual, organizational and societal wellbeing?
We live in a complex world. We frequently forget we are human and we are nature. We are not a piece of machinery that functions non stop. We need to take care of our bodies, minds, heart and environment as well as our relationships. Health is not only physical but being in a state to be able to relate to others and contribute from our talents and strengths.

Do you have any favorite books, podcasts, or articles that you believe support, promote or educate on wellbeing and related themes?

Thrive Global. 

Rick Hanson

Psychologist, Bestselling Author, Global Compassion Coalition Founder, Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom Founder

San Rafael, CA,
United States

Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is a psychologist, Senior Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and New York Times best-selling author. His seven books have been published in 31 languages and include Making Great Relationship, Neurodharma, Resilient, Hardwiring Happiness, Just One Thing, Buddha’s Brain, and Mother Nurture – with over a million copies in English alone. He’s the founder of the Global Compassion Coalition and the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom, as well as the co-host of the Being Well podcast – which has been downloaded over 9 million times. His free newsletters have 250,000 subscribers, and his online programs have scholarships available for those with financial needs. He’s lectured at NASA, Google, Oxford, and Harvard. An expert on positive neuroplasticity, his work has been featured on CBS, NPR, the BBC, and other major media. He began meditating in 1974 and has taught in meditation centers worldwide. He and his wife live in northern California and have two adult children. He loves the wilderness and taking a break from emails.

Connect with RICK HANSON on social media :