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

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.

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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

Digital Marketing Coordinator at The Wellbeing Project

Budapest,
Hungary

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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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Content Curation Advisory Board Member

Content Curation Specialist

Elena Crescia

Wellbeing Events Adviser, The Wellbeing Project

12+ years experience as speaker coach and content curator. Connector of Dots. Bridge Builder. Changemaker. Wellbeing Events Adviser at The Wellbeing Project | Program curator at The Wellbeing Summit for Social Change 2022 | Content curator and organizer of The Wellbeing Summit São Paulo 2023 | Content curator at Hearth Summit Omega & Harlem Wellness Center 2025. Curator & Speaker Coach TEDxSaoPaulo | TED Speaker | Country Director Clubes TED Ed Curation consultant at The Skoll World Forum 2023 | Content Curator SOCAP 2023. Master of International Affairs, Economic and Political Development – Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs | Master in Financial Evaluation of Development Projects – Université Sorbonne | Impact Investor Manager course by ANDE and JPMorgan with Santa Clara University. Founder of Ideas Talk. Editora de Ideias and Portfolia.

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IN ELENA’S WORDSIN ELENA’S WORDS

How do you think individual, collective, and planetary wellbeing are connected?

Individual, collective and planetary wellbeing are interconnected. We all affect each other and we can only flourish when we are take care of all of us, the communities and the environment that we live in.

What do you hope the outcomes are from the global Hearth Summit?

I hope all participants of the global Hearth Summit feel inspired to prioritize their wellbeing and the wellbeing of the people they care about, and we all strengthen our connection to nature and the arts, we learn new ways to improve our wellbeing and we make new friends.

Bilbao 2022
Ljubljana 2025
Speakers
Arts
Asia 2028

Manuel Bagorro

Creative Advisor at Carnegie Hall in New York City; Founder and Artistic Director of the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) in Zimbabwe; Artistic Director of Bay Chamber Concerts in Camden, Maine

Manuel Bagorro is a long-time Creative Advisor at Carnegie Hall, working on the design, planning and implementation of a range of programs. He is also Artistic Director of Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School in Rockport ME, Founder and Artistic Director of the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) in Zimbabwe and served as a program advisor for CultureSummit Abu Dhabi in 2017 and 2018. He curated the arts program for the first Wellbeing Summit in Bilbao, 2022 and leads the artistic team for the Global Hearth Summit in Ljubljana, 2025. For the last 12 years, his work with Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School has resulted in a new approach to the organization’s educational offerings and community engagement programs. Under his leadership, the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) became one of the most significant artistic and social impact projects in Southern Africa, weathering the social, political and economic turmoil in Zimbabwe for more than a decade.

He is also a pianist, having performed extensively and won prizes in the Newport International and Royal Overseas League Piano Competitions. He performed in the John Schlesinger film, Madame Sousatzka, and appeared as soloist with the BBC Welsh and Cape Town Symphony Orchestras. He composed the music for a series of documentaries entitled Africa Unmasked and played for Queen Elizabeth II and other dignitaries at a State Banquet in London in 1995.

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IN MANUEL’S WORDSIN MANUEL’S WORDS

How do you think individual, collective, and planetary wellbeing are connected?

Wellbeing begins with the individual – with the creative and innovative thinking of each of us as we journey through our lives. What I think our individual journeys make clear to us is that our own wellbeing relies not only on our personal practices and outlook, but on social groups, communities and a sense of belonging to a larger whole. The existence of this beautiful, human, wellbeing ecosystem is of course entirely dependent on planetary wellbeing – the planet provides the home for our journeys as humans, and our sense of individual and collective belonging. 

What do you hope the outcomes are from the global Hearth Summit?

I hope that the global Hearth Summit strengthens and emboldens our collective commitment to keeping our own wellbeing and the wellbeing of our planet in our minds and hearts long after the Summit ends. I hope for a collective realisation that the arts have a powerful role to play in nurturing individual, collective and planetary wellbeing.

Bilbao 2022
Ljubljana 2025
Speakers
Arts
Asia 2028

Carrie Rebora Barratt

Director, LongHouse Reserve, and Founder, The Solace Project

Carrie Rebora Barratt is an energetic and collaborative curator and executive leader, who has deployed her growth and resilience mindset into organizational culture in top cultural institutions. At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York Botanical Garden, LongHouse Reserve, and through her umbrella organization, The Solace Project, she leads through big transitions by championing collective intelligence of staff and board at the intersection of art, nature, and the human spirit, to welcome visitors to culture and build community.

At The Met, she rose from summer intern to Deputy Director, immersing herself in the vital importance of museum work in our world. As the leader of 27 departments and over 400 staff—curatorial, conservation and scientific research, libraries, education, publications, and digital—she worked with commitment to the common purpose of shaping the collection, putting on superb exhibitions, and enriching visitor experience. That work requires structured governance and decisive administration matched with collaboration, curiosity, and creativity. She delivered results through strategic planning, marketing savvy, institutional advancement, and facilities management.

In 2018, she took over the New York Botanical Garden as ninth CEO and President, the first woman to hold the position in its 127 year history. A 250 acre campus of art and nature with nearly 500 staff, NYBG faced a major leadership transition and weather challenges on the grounds. In just two years, she developed a long-range art exhibition plan with vital educational programs and new digital content, drafted an agenda for increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, improved facilities, heightened the garden’s role in the botanical and horticultural dimensions of climate change and human wellness, and expanded the urban gardening program in our region. She managed the challenges of the pandemic, and saw the Garden to reopening in summer 2020, staff intact, budget balanced, and visitors returning.

In 2020, during the pandemic, she founded The Solace Project as a vessel to write, talk, teach, and gather community in pursuit of basic wellness through art and nature. Her work in the space continues as a speaker, consultant to museums, gardens, and organizations sharing the value of resilience and wellbeing.
She joined LongHouse Reserve in autumn 2021, invited to lead the institution through transition and turnaround following the passing of founder Jack Lenor Larsen (1927-2020). Since then, she has stewarded the 16-acre integrated environment within a mission to inspire living with art in all forms, serving the community with vast open space, programs in art, nature, and wellness, providing a sanctuary for Long Island and beyond.

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IN CARRIE’S WORDSIN CARRIE’S WORDS

How do you think individual, collective, and planetary wellbeing are connected?

Through our breath and our collective growth as living beings. 

What do you hope the outcomes are from the global Hearth Summit?

Enhanced appreciation for art in nature as the tie that binds us, heals us, generates our curiosity, and creates those awe-filled moments that teach us to feel in our bodies.

WHAT CARRIE IS READING, LISTENING TO, AND WATCHING

Claire Wilcox, Patchwork: A Life Amongst Clothes (Bloomsbury, 2020)

James Elkins, Pictures and Tears: A History of People Who Have Cried in Front of Paintings (Routledge, 2001)

Brene Brown talks to David Eagleman Unlocking Us podcast about The Inside Story of the Every-Changing Brain

Katherine May, Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times (Riverhead Books, 2020)

George Mumford, The Mindful Athlete: Secrets to Pure Performance (Parallax Press, 2016)

Ruth La Ferla, “The Power of Positive Thinking, Reborn,” The New York Times, January 21, 2021

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Ecological Belonging Specialist

Aaron Pereira

Project Co-Lead, The Wellbeing Project

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Aaron recently came across an old and slightly dusty high school paper and was more than a bit surprised to see it explored the connection between inner lives and social change. It was lovely to (re)discover that his work in the Project touches on a life long interest alongside other wonderful things in life like travel, meeting people, reading, and hosting dinner parties or really gatherings of all kinds.

Aaron’s mom got him involved in social change work (some time before the high school paper) and it stuck. The key thread in much of his work is exploring the way we live together. Sometimes that’s taken the form of pop up experiments, boards, or running an organisation. A few other times he’s been a co-founder such as with CanadaHelps. CanadaHelps, one of Canada’s leading charities, engages over 3 million Canadians to raise over $400 million a year for social causes across Canada and around the world.

Taking time for a morning cup of tea helps his day start out gently and well. It started as a (gentle) daily ritual sometime during a 7 year walk-about which was all about taking time for and re-centering his inner life. Something the cup of tea helps with every day. He loves being based in Paris and continuing to spend a lot of time in India.