Paulina Barrios

Development Manager

Mexico

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Paulina M. Barrios holds a B.A. in Comparative Literature with an emphasis on International Relations from Colorado College and a Master’s in African Studies from El Colegio de México. She has experience in translation, feminist resource mobilization, and has done research on feminist and queer urban literary and performative projects in Latin America and Africa. Her goal is to eventually broaden the connections between academia and activism, as well as show how crucial literature and art are for people’s lives.

GET TO KNOW PAULINA

 

– What does inner wellbeing mean to you?

I think inner wellbeing is feeling at peace with oneself and others, feeling cared for and accompanied by those we hold dear, and having the time and space to explore activities that bring us joy.

– How would you define wellbeing in one word?

Peace

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

Walks with my dogs, calm yoga practice, taking a conscious break for a meal or coffee with my friends or family.

– Why is it important that we prioritise individual and collective wellbeing?

True growth and development are impossible without prioritizing wellbeing, both for personal growth and true lasting social change. Societal and environmental wellbeing are crucial to a sustainable future, one where we all have the ability and possibility to pursue life-changing opportunities.

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

One of my favorite books is bell hooks’ “all about love”, wonderful book that pushes us to rethink what love is regarding interpersonal relationships, and also self-love and care.

Anique Jordan

Co-curator Global Hearth Summit

Toronto,
Canada

Connect with Anique: 

Anique Jordan is an artist, writer and curator who looks to answer the question of possibility in everything she creates. As an artist, Jordan works in photography, sculpture and performance often employing the theory of hauntology to challenge historical or dominant narratives and creating, what she calls, impossible images. Jordan’s work considers different logics of time, the black surreal and the marvellous as it relates to the black Atlantic experience. Jordan has lectured on her artistic and community-engaged curatorial practice as a 2017 Canada Seminar speaker at Harvard University and in numerous institutions across the Americas. In 2017 she co-curated the exhibition Every. Now. Then: Reframing Nationhood at the Art Gallery of Ontario. She has received numerous awards, grants and fellowships and in 2017 was awarded the Toronto Arts Foundation Emerging Artist of the Year award. Jordan has recently completed her MFA in Photography at Rhode Island School of Design and is a 2024 recipient of Canadas 100 most accomplished Black women. Jordan lives between Toronto and Rhode Island with her beloved pup, RZA.

GET TO KNOW ANIQUE

 

– What does inner wellbeing mean to you?

Inner wellbeing means I can think and feel at the same time.

– How would you define wellbeing in one word?

Ease

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

Journaling, taking care of plants, moving my body and spending IRL time with real humans.

– Why is it important that we prioritise individual and collective wellbeing?

Because If the building blocks of the current world we live in is not well, how can a future one be.

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

Not a book but I love Atmos.earth, an ongoing publication looking at climate justice, arts, culture and global politics in nuanced and exciting ways.

Eric Mulholland

Dean of Inner Development Program

Whidbey Island, WA, United States

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Eric Mulholland is a licensed mental health counselor, actor, educator, facilitator, and all-around creative person who has worked with groups of all ages for over 30 years. He studied theatre at the University of LaVerne where he specialized in Creative Dramatics and Acting. Professionally, Eric has acted in regional children’s theatre companies and has appeared in over 50 plays. He taught drama in regional acting conservatories, schools, and community programs around the world.

Eric helped launch the international youth program Partners for Youth Empowerment (PYE Global) and traveled extensively as a global trainer for the organization. His interest in somatic awareness and how the body holds trauma led him to study massage therapy at the Port Townsend School of Massage, where he received his massage license. He graduated with a master’s degree from the European Graduate School in Saas-Fee, Switzerland and currently works part-time as a therapist in private practice.

At home, Eric enjoys spending time with friends over a home cooked meal and working with his hands in the garden. Touching the earth regularly keeps him balanced and connected. Hiking, running, swimming, skiing, and travel have all been a routine part of his self-care over the years. Eric loves to explore his creativity in his home studio by painting, dancing, and writing.

What does inner wellbeing mean to you?

Inner wellbeing, to me, is about building a positive relationship with yourself. It’s recognizing that you are your own greatest supporter, nurturing self-compassion, and finding balance within to thrive.

How would you define wellbeing in one word?

Connection

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

Being in nature fills me with peace and connection. It is not uncommon for me sit in silence for long periods of time in the forests or at the seaside near my home. I also enjoy yoga for balance, trail running to strengthen my heart, meditation to smooth the rough edges of my mind, poetry to bring the tears, and cooking delicious food for joy and community.

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

Life comes at us fast and furious most of the time. Most of which we can’t control. Building a practice that supports wellbeing is a tonic for the vicissitudes of life. If I am well, then I can contribute from an empowered place. I can be creative and thoughtful and compassionate. Organizations and societies are made up of individuals so I believe wellbeing starts with me.

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

Poems by Rumi, The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff, and Start Where Your Are by Pema Chödrön

Karina Miotto

Curation Team – Hearth Summit 

Spain

Karina Miotto is a environmental journalist, eco-philosopher, changemaker mentor, and speaker coach. She lived for many years in the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and worked with major NGOs. As editor of the website O Eco, she covered the nine countries of the Amazon Basin. She studied the Deep Ecology movement directly with pioneers such as Joanna Macy, Satish Kumar, John Seed, and Stephan Harding.
She holds a Master’s degree in Holistic Science from Schumacher College, England. In her dissertation, titled “Reconnecting the Amazon: Awakening Deep Feelings for the Rainforest,” she developed ten different pathways to help people emotionally connect with the forest. Her findings can be applied to any landscape or environment on the planet. Her name has been cited in books and scientific articles around the world.

Karina has given talks in countries such as England, the United States, Germany, New Zealand, Chile, Australia, Portugal, Spain, and Brazil, impacting hundreds of people worldwide. Deep Ecology is currently the foundation of all her work.

In 2024, she published her first book: “Changemakers – the courage to transform the world: it’s beautiful, challenging, and possible to do without burning out”, released by Bambual Editora (Brazil). In 2025, the same book was published in Portugal under the title “A coragem de mudar o mundo – changemakers”, by the same publisher.

Karina is also currently a collaborator of The Wellbeing Project, where she supports curation and speaker preparation for the Hearth Summit.

What does inner wellbeing mean to you?

Means to be calmer inside, or as Yogananda says, “calmly active and actively calm”

How would you define wellbeing in one word?

Lightness

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

I have been practicing Vipassana meditation and I love it. I also make sure I spend time in silence in nature as much as possible. And I hug trees!

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

Because this is crucial to make our world a better place, and it starts within.

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

Personally, I would like to recommend the book I´ve written, which is precisely about it. For now, it´s in Portuguese only, and it is called “Changemakers, the courage to transform the world – it´s beautiful and challenging, but it can be done without burning out”.

Giselle Rouvier

Madrid, Spain.

Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Community engagement EB

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Hi, I’m Giselle—a mother, a lifelong learner, and someone who asks a lot of questions. Originally from Brazil, I’ve lived in a few different countries, always fascinated by how people live, what they value, and the rhythms that shape their lives.

I started out in architecture, thinking I’d design spaces that helped people heal faster, learn better, and feel more connected to nature. But when I found myself designing spaces meant to sell more rather than support people, I knew I needed a different path.

That search led me through social innovation, yoga, women’s health, and community work. I studied at the Amani Institute, trained as a yoga teacher in the mountains of Santa Catarina, and eventually landed in Madrid—just in time for the biggest transformation of my life: motherhood.

I had just done something as monumental as creating an entire human being, yet I felt invisible. Taking a break from work made me realize how little space society holds for life’s biggest transitions. And so, the questions came—Why is birth so medicalized? Why do women disappear from the conversation when they become mothers? Why do we know so little about menstrual cycles and the female body? Why are we taught to push through and override our natural rhythms instead of working with them?

I went down a rabbit hole of learning, and once I knew, I couldn’t not share it. I started small—mum and baby yoga in the park, women’s circles, workshops, writing content—doing everything I could to reach as many women as possible. And through all of this, I saw how deeply our internal rhythms mirror the rhythms of nature. When we start paying attention to them instead of shutting them down, everything shifts.

Now, at The Wellbeing Project, I bring this perspective to my work in Partnerships & Community Engagement, helping to build collaborations that bridge personal and collective transformation. I work on Ecological Belonging, which, to me, is about remembering—that we are not separate from nature, from each other, or from the cycles that shape our lives. And when we start seeing ourselves as part of something bigger, we don’t have to push so hard. We can move with life instead of against it.

What does inner wellbeing mean to you?

Connecting with my inner rhythms and respecting them. Knowing when to move, when to rest, and when to stop forcing things that don’t align.

How would you define wellbeing in one word?

Balance.

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

  • Yoga (but in a what feels good today? way, not a rigid routine)
  • Taking care of my plants—some thrive, some don’t… much like life
  • Traveling, because new places always shift something inside
  • Beach days, because “I know a cure for everything: sweat, or tears, or the salt sea.”
  • Slow mornings with my family, where time actually feels like ours
  • Holding space in women’s circles, because storytelling and shared wisdom are medicine

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

Because one doesn’t exist without the other. As a mother, I know you can’t give from an empty cup.

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

Cradle to Cradle shaped how I think about cycles—how everything in nature, including us, moves in rhythms. Wild Power deepened that understanding, showing how working with our inner rhythms rather than against them changes everything.

Berta Bragado Belío

Regional Summits Coordinator

Spain

Berta is a culturally engaged professional with a strong passion for creativity and fostering social connections. Having lived in four countries, she has cultivated a deep passion and curiosity for multicultural environments, which continues to shape her outlook on life. With a degree in Art History and a master’s in Cultural Management and Art Education for Social Inclusion, she is deeply interested in the social power of the arts and their ability to bring people & communities together. She has built her career in museums, galleries, and cultural organizations, with a growing socio-educational perspective that ended up paving her way to the Project.

She comes from a family of musicians, and she is also a musician herself, believing that art and creativity are essential to a meaningful & balanced life. She is an avid observer and finds joy in life’s small details, drawing peace and inspiration from photography, reading, gardening, and exploring art exhibitions. She also loves spending time and sharing experiences with her loved ones and feeding her curiosity by exploring new places and meeting new people.

Connect with Berta Bragado Belío on social media :

Maïté Herkens

HEARTH SUMMIT CONFERENCE CURATOR

Brussels,
Belgium

Maïté Herkens is event curator and consultant specializing in impact-driven entrepreneurship, sustainability, and wellbeing.

With over 25 years of experience, she has designed and led transformative events, such as the Wellbeing Summit Brussels 2023 , bringing together global thought leaders to foster collaboration and inspire positive change.

Passionate about creating meaningful connections, Maïté combines her expertise in project management, innovation, and stakeholder engagement to drive initiatives that align business and societal impact.

How would you define wellbeing in one word?

Peace

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

Yoga, walks in nature, be with my family and dog

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

Outer peace comes with inner peace

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

The Celestine Prophecy and series by James Redfield. Although not new, always relevant

Connect with Maïté Herkens on social media :

Riddhi Shah

Lead, Innovation

Pondicherry,
India

In a career spanning sixteen years, of which eleven were spent living out of a backpack, Riddhi has an extensive blended experience of working on field in some of the remotest areas of India and at decision-making tables in urban India. Having played multiple roles, including those of mentor, advisor, and facilitator, she has supported and consulted for a range of Indian and international HNIs, projects, schools, organisations and institutions on Integral Education, Spiritual Ecology, Communications, Organisational Strategy, Design Thinking, CSR, Young Leadership, Fundraising, Culture and Wellness practices.

With a knack for piloting and incubation, she has given form to great ideas that have little or no blueprints, including The GROW Fund and UdyamStree, her most recent pilots, that have received global recognition and multiple awards.

Previously, she has been a Young Climate Change Representative for India, at UNESCAP Bangkok; been ranked as one of the top five influential Indian women-changemakers under the age of 25 by Hindustan Times in 2016, been a serial TEDx speaker and been invited to represent India at global forums to address critical issues pertaining to the fulfilment of SDGs, integral education, and women in leadership

What does inner wellbeing mean to you?

Equanimity and Joy!

How would you define wellbeing in one word?

Healed (past tense, specifically)

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

Walking barefoot on sand, grass and in the forest, art, painting and printmaking, meeting elders of the community

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

Only the healed can heal. 🙂

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

Books: Braiding Sweetgrass, Entangled Life, Savitri,
Movies: The Prophet (animated), Peaceful Warrior

Adrian Griffin

Junior Digital Marketing Coordinator at The Wellbeing Project

Budapest,
Hungary

Connect with Adrian Griffin :

Adrian Griffin is a dynamic digital marketer and designer based in Budapest, Hungary, originally hailing from Miami, United States. With a passion for storytelling and visual communication, Adrian excels at bridging communities through thoughtful design and impactful narratives.

His career spans diverse experiences across the United States, including designing for the games and entertainment industries, curating art gallery shows in Los Angeles, and supporting black-owned small businesses in the Midwest. Each opportunity has contributed to his holistic worldview and fueled his drive to create meaningful connections through his work.

Adrian’s love for storytelling shines through his digital marketing expertise, where he uses social media as a powerful platform to share stories that resonate across cultures. His designs spark conversations, evoke emotions, and inspire deeper engagement.

Outside of his professional life, Adrian enjoys exploring global cuisines through cooking, seeking creative inspiration on Pinterest, and immersing himself in games and entertainment. A proponent of balance, he also prioritizes physical well-being with regular workouts and hiking adventures.

Adrian Griffin is committed to crafting designs and strategies that bring people together, spread positivity, and spark meaningful interactions.

What does inner wellbeing mean to you?
Inner wellbeing, to me, is about building a positive relationship with yourself. It’s recognizing that you are your own greatest supporter, nurturing self-compassion, and finding balance within to thrive.

How would you define wellbeing in one word?
Serenity

Are there any rituals or practices you use to enhance your wellbeing?
Consistently nourishing my body with good food, prioritizing my physical health, and taking time to pray.

Why is it important that we prioritize individual, organizational and societal wellbeing
Prioritizing your wellbeing is crucial, especially when life feels difficult and unstable. Amidst the uncertainty, it’s important to stay true to yourself and find stability within.

David Simas

Managing Director, Research and Impact, Emerson Collective

David Simas is the Managing Director of Research and Impact at Emerson Collective, where he works to develop in-depth research projects and distributes findings and analysis in service of Emerson’s priorities including democracy, immigration, education, and climate.

A native of Taunton, Massachusetts, David was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff to Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick in 2007. He then joined President Obama’s administration in 2009 as a Deputy Assistant to the President, working with senior advisors David Axelrod and David Plouffe. In 2012, he served as Director of Opinion Research for President Obama’s reelection campaign. Following the reelection, Mr. Simas returned to the White House as Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Political Strategy and Outreach. In 2016, President Obama selected Mr. Simas to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Obama Foundation. Mr. Simas holds a B.A. in political science from Stonehill College and a J.D. from Boston College Law School. He is the son of two Portuguese immigrants and lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Shauna, and their two daughters.

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