Prof. Sook-Kyung Lee

Director, the Whitworth & Professor, Curatorial Practices, The University of Manchester, UK

Prof. Sook-Kyung Lee is Director of the Whitworth and Professor of Curatorial Practices at The University of Manchester. Lee has worked as curator, writer, and lecturer in the UK and internationally, advocating global art histories and transnational curating.
Lee was previously Senior Curator, International Art at Tate Modern, working in exhibitions and acquisitions, and headed a major multi-year research initiative ‘Hyundai Tate Research Centre: Transnational’, overseeing its strategic vision and associated exhibition programming. She was Artistic Director of the 14th Gwangju Biennale (2023), titled ‘soft and weak like water’, which explored themes of resistance, indigeneity, decoloniality and ecology. She also served as the Commissioner and Curator of the Korea Pavilion at the 56th Venice Biennale (2015), presenting Kyungwon Moon and Joonho Jeon and Curator of the Japan Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale (2024), represented by the artist Yuko Mohri. Lee has served on several jury panels such as Turner Prize, VH Art Award and Nam June Paik Art Prize, and sits on a number of advisory boards internationally including the YS Kim Foundation, USA and deCentral, Thailand.
Exhibitions she curated include ‘Hyundai Translocal Series: Entangled & Woven’ at the Cheongju Craft Biennale, Korea, National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, India and the Whitworth (2025-26), ‘Santiago Yahuarcani: The Beginning of Knowledge’ at the Whitworth, MASP, Brazil and the Museo Universitario del Chopo, Mexico (2025-27), ‘Mirroring: Lucio Fontana and Michelangelo Pistoletto’ at Prada Rongzhai, Shanghai (2025), ‘A Year in Art: Australia 1992’ at Tate Modern (2021-23), and ‘Nam June Paik’ at Tate Modern, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery Singapore (2019-21).

David Irianto

Head of Conference Curation Global Hearth Summit

Jakarta, Indonesia

Trained in Visual Communication Design and Organizational Psychology, David brings a unique intersection of creative storytelling, design, and human insight to shaping transformative gatherings. With background as Managing Editor of ELLE Decoration Indonesia, Creative & Content Director of IdeaFest, and Co-Curator of TEDxJakarta, David has directed programming across hundreds of sessions. His cultural work includes leading creative production for the 33rd IPA World Congress and spearheading the writing of the dossier that earned Jakarta its designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Literature in 2021. Driven by the belief that consumed content shapes lived experiences, David co-founded Greatmind.id, a platform dedicated to mental well-being, and the Pear Press publishing imprint for young minds. Formerly a communication consultant for The World Bank, he serves as Partnership Executive at Art Jakarta, Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Indonesian Association of Graphic Designers (ADGI), and Literature Coordinator for the Ministry of Culture’s National Talent Management (MTN) program. David was named an Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leader in 2022 and represented Indonesia at the Edinburgh Festival Momentum Programme in 2023. At The Wellbeing Project, David leads conference curation for the Global Hearth Summit, uniting social change leaders, thinkers, and artists around inner, organizational, and planetary well-being. When not curating, David enjoys exercising, exploring hidden gems, attending festivals, and unwinding with friends amidst the vibrant energy of chaotic Jakarta.

For me, inner wellbeing is the feeling that you are the master of your sail, no matter the state of the ocean around you. It is a sense of being anchored in deep self-understanding and awareness of how you evolve, paired with accepting circumstances beyond our control. Ultimately, it is finding a sense of flow, meaning, and purpose amidst chaos and uncertainty, having the fluidity and adaptability not just to survive, but to thrive.
I maintain my sense of balance through both active and reflective practices: 1. Physical movement: Regular exercise and running help me clear my mind, release tension, and stay anchored. 2. Reflective spaces: Unwinding over meaningful conversations with friends and discovering quiet local hidden gems amidst Jakarta’s energy. 3. Cultural engagement: Immersing myself in art exhibitions, literature, and festivals, which feeds my creative spirit and restores my perspective.
They are deeply interconnected and fuel one another in a feedback loop. Individual wellbeing forms the foundation, we cannot cultivate healthy communities or sustainable social change if the people driving them are burned out. Organizational wellbeing creates the psychological safety and supportive structures needed for collective creativity and collaboration to thrive. Ultimately, prioritizing societal wellbeing ensures that care, empathy, and flourishing become systemic values, shaping a more equitable, resilient, and harmonious world.

Books: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (a fundamental read on human resilience and purpose) and Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (essential reading for every creative practitioner). Media: For Indonesian speakers, I recommend exploring Greatmind.id, a digital publication I co-founded that focuses on thought-provoking essays, mental health, and intentional living 🙂

Moé Okada

Hearth Summit Producer Consultant

Bologna, Italy

Moe Okada grew up in Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan, and is now based in Bologna, Italy. A bubbly, positive, and internationally minded event producer, she works across global events, luxury brands, cultural experiences, and international productions, bringing together people, ideas, and cultures through thoughtful and human-centered experiences. Over the years, she has worked on a wide range of international projects including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Rugby World Cup Japan 2019, NBA events in Tokyo and Paris, and Osaka Expo 2025. Her experience spans event production, operations, guest experience, international coordination, and cross-cultural project management, often acting as a bridge between Japanese and international teams. She has collaborated with brands and organizations such as Cartier, Dior, Toyota, Land Rover, Mazda, and other global partners across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Moe believes that events are more than logistics — they are moments that create connection, emotion, and lasting memories. She enjoys building experiences that feel both detail-oriented and welcoming, combining Japanese hospitality with international creativity and collaboration. Outside of work, she loves cooking Japanese food, travelling, discovering cafés and local restaurants, attending cultural events, and continuing her life adventure in Italy while learning the language and culture.

Feeling peaceful inside, smiling naturally, and being able to enjoy the little moments in life.
Cooking cozy meals, walking slowly with music, traveling, and having meaningful time with people I love.
Because happy and supported people create kinder energy, stronger connections, and a better world for everyone.

Joaquina Zibell

Networks Coordinator

Buenos Aires, Argentina

My name is Joaquina, and I am the Networks Coordinator at The Wellbeing Project, where I support the growth and engagement of a global community of changemakers. I work closely with partners and members to foster meaningful connections, facilitate collaboration, and strengthen the network’s collective impact.
With a background in International Relations, I am deeply interested in the intersection between global cooperation, wellbeing, and social change. I am passionate about creating spaces that nurture connection, learning, and collective care.

To me, inner wellbeing means being connected to myself, my values, and my sense of purpose, while also creating balance and space for growth, reflection, and care.

I believe prioritizing wellbeing is important because it shapes how we relate to ourselves, others, and the world around us. When individuals, organizations, and societies are well, they are better able to build healthier, more compassionate, and sustainable communities.

Grecia González

Philanthropic Partnerships Manager

Mérida, Yucatán

Connect with Grecia:

Grecia is a sustainability and social impact professional who is passionate about creating the conditions for people and communities to thrive. With more than 10 years of experience in sustainability, social responsibility, volunteer engagement, and inclusion, she has worked to build bridges across sectors, foster meaningful relationships, and support collective action for positive change.

She believes that wellbeing is both a personal and collective journey, and that nurturing connection, belonging, and compassion is essential for creating a more sustainable and equitable future. Grace is energized by bringing people together, facilitating collaboration, and helping cultivate spaces where purpose, learning, and care can emerge and grow.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, advocating for animals, embracing a plant-based lifestyle, and sharing life with her beloved dog, Nachita.

Inner wellbeing means being connected to myself with honesty, compassion, and presence, while staying aligned with my values and purpose, even during times of uncertainty.

Spending time in nature, walking with my dog Nachita, practicing gratitude, and creating meaningful moments of connection with the people I care about.

Because wellbeing creates the foundation for people and communities to thrive. When individuals feel supported and connected, organizations become healthier and more human-centered, and together we can contribute to a more compassionate, resilient, and sustainable world. The wellbeing of each person is deeply interconnected with the wellbeing of the collective.