Raquel Vicedo

Regional Summits Director at The Wellbeing Project

Madrid, Spain

Raquel has extensive experience as a Project Manager in multicultural and multilingual contexts, and has worked both nationally and internationally at private and public institutions, such as the A. P. Moller – Maersk Group, the Spanish Ministry of Culture or the Hay Festival of Literature & the Arts.

Naturally interested in people and current affairs, she is passionate about learning and about personal and organisational development, and truly believes in the power of listening, listening, listening. In her thirties, she came across a poem —”Wild Geese”, by American author Mary Oliver— that literally brought her back to life and forced her to regain connection to that thing that used to keep her going and had somehow lost. After a year-long sabbatical, she finally managed to turn that out-of-tuneness into a yearning, and redirected her efforts so that her professional life would be aligned with her personal wish to find that place of encounter which her inner self was craving for.

Sociable and dynamic, her main motivation is to help implement instruments that can generate sustainable social and economic development for communities and individuals, as well as to contribute in a broad sense to making our society more human-centered, sustainable and fair.

When she’s not working, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, go for long walks with her dog, travel or read a book (yes, she’s an avid reader).

What does inner wellbeing mean to you?

Acceptance, compassion and empathy towards oneself and the rest of fellow creatures.

How would you define wellbeing in one word?

Interconnectedness

Are there any rituals or practices you use to enhance your wellbeing?

I meditate three times a week and practice pilates regularly. I also try to walk everywhere! Walking is an amazing practice that helps to stay fit, bot physically and spiritually.

Why is it important that we prioritize individual, organizational and societal wellbeing?

Because as my dear Mary Oliver says: “Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting —over and over announcing your place in the family of things”.

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

“The Art of Contemplation” and “Tao: The Watercourse Way“, by Alan Watts

“Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver“, by Mary Oliver

“Mysticism for Beginners“, by Adam Zagajewski

“Minase Sangin Hyakuin —A Poem of One Hundred Links Composed by Three Poets at Minase”, by Sogi, Shohaku

Socho (or any other good poetry book —the healing power of poetry is immense!).