Alana Chavez, Author at The Wellbeing Project

Madelaine VanDerHeyden

Marketing & Comms Senior Manager

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 :

TWBS São Paulo TWBS São Paulo

Regional Wellbeing Summits

Days

PARTICIPANTS

ORGANIZATIONS

SPEAKERS

ABOUT THE EVENT ABOUT THE EVENT

The Wellbeing Summit São Paulo gathered 150 influential leaders from social change, government, arts, and business sectors in Brazil with a shared mission to elevate the wellbeing of individuals at the forefront of social change. Through meaningful discussions, the Summit explored the transformative power of a holistic culture of wellbeing in driving positive systemic change.

Over two days, participants enjoyed the sights and sounds of two unique venues – the Clube de Campo de São Paulo and the Sorocaba campus of FACENS University – to connect with nature, each other, the arts, and the concept of wellbeing for social change.

Together, participants explored important topics for changemakers and changemaking in Brazil, such as:

Physical and mental health and self-awareness

Organizational wellbeing, leadership, and communication

Wellbeing in universities and higher education

Ecological belonging and connecting with nature

Knowledge from First Nations and indigenous practices

Wellbeing practices and workshops on embracing wellbeing through the arts, such as silence and meditation, creative writing, theatre, and radical creativity

Wellbeing in Higher Education

As a co-convener of our Wellbeing in Higher Education Network, TWBS Sao Paulo co-creator Centro Universitário Facens brought this important topic to the summit with ENLACE, its Socio-Emotional Collaboration Laboratory. Discover this programme designed to enrich the learning experience through wellbeing, flourishing, and mental health.

Playfulness and Wellbeing Playfulness and Wellbeing

Who says playtime is just for kids? At TWBS São Paulo, Wellington Nogueira introduced the concept of “life-long play,” explaining the lifetime of benefits we get from the simple act of play. Tap into your inner child and re-discover the art of imagination with Wellington’s sessions at the Wellbeing Summit for Social Change in 2022.

SPEAKERS & ARTISTS INCLUDED: SPEAKERS & ARTISTS INCLUDED:

HOSTED BY

An incredible group of changemakers in Brazil

With special thanks to these generous sponsors, funders, and partners

99jobs.com, Casinha Atelier, Empregueafro, Escola Schumacher Brasil, FACENS, Vida Simples, Live Lab, MASP, Maturi, Onco Yoga, The School of Life, and The Wellbeing Project

CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions and more information about The Wellbeing Summit São Paulo, please contact twbs.sp@gmail.com.

CONNECT WITH TWBS SÃO PAULO

Don’t miss a beat! Stay up-to-date with The Wellbeing Summit São Paulo.

FOLLOW AND JOIN OUR JOURNEY!

MORE REGIONAL SUMMITSMORE REGIONAL SUMMITS

Discover the Wellbeing Movement in Latin America Discover the Wellbeing Movement in Latin America

Meet and hear stories from the changemakers championing the wellbeing movement in Latin America.

The Wellbeing Summit Brussels 2023 The Wellbeing Summit Brussels 2023

Regional Wellbeing Summits

ABOUT THE SUMMITABOUT THE SUMMIT

“Moving From Ego to Eco”

The Wellbeing Summit Brussels, hosted by TheMerode, presented a two-day tailored and holistic programme emphasizing the systemic interconnections among individual, organizational, social, and planetary wellbeing. A new wave of consciousness is sweeping across organizations and corporations as they embrace the urgent need to prioritize the holistic health of their employees and stakeholders. By doing so, they cultivate a thriving ecosystem that extends beyond their walls, driven by determination and compassion, leading us towards a brighter tomorrow.

The Wellbeing Summit Brussels offered a transformative journey for European changemakers, bringing together speakers from diverse backgrounds to explore thrilling topics like the intersection of wellbeing with technology, business, and intergenerational trauma, among other fascinating subjects. These immersive talks helped deepen collective understanding, build bridges, and foster unity in our shared purpose.

Participants took a deep dive into “a journey from ego to eco: embracing multidimensional wellbeing” by pursuing customised programmes exploring various dimensions of wellbeing as well as wellbeing practices, including yoga, sound baths, meditation, and art exhibitions.

A HOLISTIC APPROACHA HOLISTIC APPROACH

KEY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

The two-day gathering encouraged changemakers to reflect on how wellbeing plays a role in our lives at the most intimate and collective levels, through topics such as:

Wellbeing approaches to European governance and policies

Wellbeing economics, sustainable business, and organizational wellbeing

Measuring wellbeing (Gross National Product vs. Gross National Happiness)

Personal journeys of resilience and healing from trauma

Neuroscience of compassion

Individual ways to practice wellbeing

Climate change’s impact on human and planetary wellbeing

The role of the arts in inner wellbeing

Moving From Ego to EcoMoving From Ego to Eco

Explore Stories from the Summit

KEY SPEAKERS & ARTISTSKEY SPEAKERS & ARTISTS

Convening at the historic Merode hotel in Brussels, this gathering featured an incredible group of thought-leaders, academics, business leaders, policy-makers, creatives, and changemakers including:

Eleanor Allen, Former Lead Executive and current Board Advisor at B Lab Global

Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-president of the Club of Rome

Satish Kumar, Earth & peace activist, author

Yael Naim, singer, artist, and composer

Thierry Geerts, Country Director Google Belgium & Luxembourg

Ignace Schops, Belgian conservationist

Adélaïde Charlier, climate and social justice activist

Michael Mersch, CEO Nestlé Belgium and Luxembourg

Wellbeing Inspires Welldoing Wellbeing Inspires Welldoing

RELIVE THE SPIRIT OF THE SUMMIT

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WELLBEING SUMMIT BRUSSELS

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Une publication partagée par The Wellbeing Project (@thewellbeingp)

WISDOM FROM SATISH KUMAR & SHADILLE ESTEPAN

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

Une publication partagée par The Wellbeing Project (@thewellbeingp)

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE FROM YAEL NAIM

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

Une publication partagée par The Wellbeing Project (@thewellbeingp)

The Wellbeing Summit BrusselsThe Wellbeing Summit Brussels

In The News

Stay up-to-date and read the latest news and features about this transformative event.

MORE REGIONAL SUMMITSMORE REGIONAL SUMMITS

Discover the Wellbeing Movement in EuropeDiscover the Wellbeing Movement in Europe

Meet and hear stories from the changemakers championing the wellbeing movement in Europe.

Voices of Wellbeing | Yazmany Arboleda, Artist Voices of Wellbeing | Yazmany Arboleda, Artist

“MY ART PRACTICE EVOLVED FROM SEEKING OUT ACCEPTANCE AND CELEBRATION OF DIFFERENCE”

Where do we have the chance to practice imagining? And how do we do that together?

Colombian American Artist, Yazmany Arboleda, recounts his process behind developing his Hospital of the Soul installation for the Wellbeing Summit for Change. In the fall of 2019, Yazmany spent time in Bilbao, Biscay, meeting citizens from the region at a constellations retreat with specialist therapist, Judith Hemming. In this interview, he shares how the heartache and pain felt by these individual Basque civilians and their families was rooted in history and impacted by the civil war beginning in the 1930s. Getting to know these people and their stories led him to reflect on his own intergenerational trauma and the experiences of his family back in the mountains of Medellin, Colombia, as well as the ongoing racial injustice and violence in America where he now lives.

Watch his full story to hear his vision for joining the threads of belonging, interconnectedness, and true celebration of difference by using art and human connection to break down religious barriers or other social constructs that may divide us.

Outside Research

Research On Wellbeing

Age Differences in Reported Social Networks and Well-Being

American Psychological Association

[mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/pag-pag0000415.pdf” target=”_blank” align=”center” fullwidth=”true” bg_color=”#0190bb”]READ REPORT[/mk_button]

Choice Matters More with Others: Choosing to be with Other People is More Consequential to Well-Being than Choosing to be Alone

Journal of Happiness Studies

[mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10902-022-00506-5″ target=”_blank” align=”center” fullwidth=”true” bg_color=”#0190bb”]READ REPORT[/mk_button]

Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing

Nature.com

[mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44097-3″ target=”_blank” align=”center” fullwidth=”true” bg_color=”#0190bb”]READ REPORT[/mk_button]

BLACK WELL-BEING: Moving Toward Solutions Together

BLACK FUTURE CO-OP FUND

[mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fbed439a5bc066edf999350/t/63928861af58377e3b44d5fb/1670547585780/2022+Black+Well-being+Report.pdf” target=”_blank” align=”center” fullwidth=”true” bg_color=”#0190bb”]READ REPORT[/mk_button]

Consolidated Statement of OperationsConsolidated Statement of Operations

Accrual and Cash Based Presentations Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020

The Wellbeing Project is a global non-profit organization with legal entities in France and Spain and with fiscal partners in the US and Canada. As part of the projects’ commitment to good governance and as mandated in our Governing document, all legal entities are audited. These materials are available upon request by clicking here.

FISCAL YEAR 2021FISCAL YEAR 2021

During the fiscal year of 2021, TWP’s total consolidated donations was EUR 1,047,953 while the total consolidated expenses was EUR 1,217,114 resulting in a consolidated net loss of EUR 169,161.

FISCAL YEAR 2020FISCAL YEAR 2020

During the fiscal year of 2020, TWP’s total consolidated donations was EUR 909,309 while the total consolidated expenses was EUR 1,029,418 resulting in a consolidated net loss of EUR 121,109.

The year 2020 was a challenging year for everyone with the onset of the global pandemic which was triggered by COVID-19. TWP experienced some reductions and delays in our donation commitments during this period. At a time when organizations were letting go of their staff or placing them on forced unpaid leave, TWP decided to retain all their team members. We were gratified and relieved that the great majority of delayed donations came through in early 2021.

University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX (Southern Sector – Oak Cliff Community)
United States.

The University of North Texas at Dallas (UNTD) is the only public, accredited 4-year university in the city of Dallas, serving the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. UNTD is classified as a Hispanic-serving institution and has served as a pathway to social mobility since its establishment in 2010. UNTD is a collaborative, partnerships-focused institution that also serves under-resourced areas in North Texas. The University of North Texas at Dallas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

04-instagram-el-factor-invisible-instagram-story

EL FACTOR INVISIBLE: Bienestar y salud mental para fortalecer el ecosistema emprendedor de alto impacto en América Latina y el Caribe

ENG: THE INVISIBLE FACTOR: Well-being and mental health to strengthen the high-impact entrepreneurial ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean

By The Wellbeing Project, Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo

EL ESTUDIO SOBRE EL ESTUDIO

En el ecosistema de innovación y emprendimiento de alto impacto en América Latina y el Caribe (ALC) vemos cómo emprendedores/as cuentan experiencias difíciles de su día a día para mantener o hacer crecer exitosamente sus emprendimientos. Estas presiones diarias suelen estar vinculadas a factores que comúnmente podemos ver y medir, como el factor financiero, el factor operativo y los factores de sostenibilidad o escalabilidad. Pero se puede ver y conocer poco sobre el impacto y las posibles consecuencias de estas presiones en la vida personal, familiar o cotidiana de los seres humanos detrás de los emprendimientos. Un factor invisible que es hora de visibilizar. Si queremos fortalecer el ecosistema emprendedor de la región e impulsar su gran capacidad innovadora, es necesario atender un factor invisible pero fundamental: el bienestar y la salud mental de emprendedores/as de alto impacto.

Los emprendimientos de alto impacto son una parte esencial de las economías dinámicas de nuestros países. Sin embargo, en muchos casos, estos/as emprendedores/as enfrentan circunstancias y desafíos muy particulares de la región. A las presiones financieras y operativas cotidianas se suman contextos políticos, económicos y sociales muy cambiantes, así como recientemente los duros impactos por la pandemia del COVID-19. Esto ha generado un ambiente de alta tensión e incertidumbre en los emprendedores/as para poder mantener o hacer crecer sus iniciativas sin descuidar el compromiso laboral con sus equipos. El hecho que este desafío personal muchas veces parezca invisible y se suela enfrentar en solitario, por estigmas o prejuicios, hace que el sector de EAI sea “mucho más propenso a sufrir dolencias en bienestar y salud mental, como estados de ansiedad, fatiga, depresión o agotamiento generalizado (síndrome de burnout), en comparación con la población en general” (Endeavor, 2020).

Con el objetivo de entender y visibilizar la situación del bienestar y la salud mental, específicamente en el ecosistema emprendedor de Alto Impacto en la región, esta investigación realizó un estudio de carácter exploratorio para identificar y entrevistar a un grupo diverso de emprendedores/as en varios países de ALC. Fundadores/as o colaboradores, de diverso género, en varios tipos de industrias, con emprendimientos en distintas etapas y con diverso alcance geográfico o de mercado aceptaron participar voluntariamente para compartir sus experiencias y opiniones. Desde esta exploración, que se enfoca puntualmente en analizar la situación actual de las personas participantes, creemos que es posible reflejar lo que potencialmente afecta a una mayor parte del ecosistema. Esto puede ayudar a visibilizar la importancia de atenderlo para quienes están detrás de los emprendimientos, pero también para quienes los incuban, los aceleran o invierten en ellos. Ayudar a potenciar buenas prácticas, financiar investigación y ofrecer programas o herramientas de acompañamiento especializado al ecosistema emprendedor de la región es fundamental. Entendiendo el momento que vive la región y buscando fortalecer el crecimiento del ecosistema, se debe impulsar estratégicamente un nuevo enfoque: si los/ as emprendedores/as están bien, los emprendimientos irán mejor.

ABOUT ABOUT THE RESEARCH

In the high-impact innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), we witness entrepreneurs grappling with challenging experiences in their day-to-day efforts to sustain or expand their ventures. These daily pressures are often tied to factors that are readily observable and measurable, such as financial, operational, sustainability, or scalability considerations. However, we have limited insight into the impact and potential consequences of these pressures on the personal, family, and daily lives of the individuals driving these ventures—the human beings behind the scenes. This invisible factor demands attention and acknowledgement. If we are to fortify the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region and foster its remarkable capacity for innovation, it becomes imperative to address an unseen yet indispensable element: the well-being and mental health of high-impact entrepreneurs.

High-impact ventures are an essential part of the dynamic economies of our countries. However, in many cases, these entrepreneurs face very particular circumstances and challenges in the region. Added to daily financial and operational pressures are highly changing political, economic and social contexts, as well as recently the harsh impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has generated an environment of high tension and uncertainty for entrepreneurs to be able to maintain or grow their initiatives without neglecting the work commitment with their teams. The fact that this personal challenge often seems invisible and is usually faced alone, due to stigma or prejudice, makes the EAI sector “much more prone to suffering well-being and mental health ailments, such as states of anxiety, fatigue, depression or generalized exhaustion (burnout syndrome), compared to the general population” (Endeavor, 2020).

With the objective of understanding and making visible the situation of well-being and mental health, specifically in the High Impact entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region, this research carried out an exploratory study to identify and interview a diverse group of entrepreneurs in various LAC countries. Founders or collaborators, of different genders, in various types of industries, with ventures in different stages and with diverse geographic or market scope, agreed to participate voluntarily to share their experiences and opinions. From this exploration, which specifically focuses on analyzing the current situation of the participating people, we believe that it is possible to reflect what potentially affects a greater part of the ecosystem. This can help make visible the importance of serving it for those who are behind the ventures, but also for those who incubate, accelerate or invest in them. Helping to promote good practices, finance research and offer specialized support programs or tools to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region is essential. Understanding the moment the region is experiencing and seeking to strengthen the growth of the ecosystem, a new approach must be strategically promoted: if the entrepreneurs are doing well, the ventures will do better.

INVISIBLE EL FACTOR INVISIBLE EN CHILE

Esta publicación forma parte de una serie que busca visibilizar la situación de bienestar y salud mental de las personas emprendedoras de alto impacto (EAI) en América Latina y el Caribe (ALC). Aquí se presenta en mayor detalle la situación de Chile, a manera de ampliar el estudio regional “El factor invisible” llevado a cabo por BID Lab y The Wellbeing Project en 2023 con datos de la región.

Utilizando metodologías mixtas que combinan encuestas y grupos focales, se adaptaron los instrumentos de medición al contexto de Chile para comparar el bienestar de EAI de Chile con sus pares en el resto de ALC. El objetivo es visibilizar las dimensiones de salud mental y bienestar, así como contribuir a fortalecer el ecosistema de innovación del país, promoviendo su crecimiento sostenible y exitoso.

Se tomó la definición de BID Lab de EAI y las de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) sobre bienestar y salud mental. La muestra de la encuesta consiste en 14% del universo incluido en la base de datos de EAI de Endeavor Chile. El componente cualitativo consistió en tres grupos focales con doce participantes con diversos perfiles y provenientes de diversas regiones del país.