Isaque Jesus

Strategy Implementation Senior Manager at The Wellbeing Project

Paris
France

Connect with Isaque Jesus on social media:

Isaque Jesus is passionate about international affairs and social impact, with a special interest in strategy, project management, cooperation and development, with academic and professional experience in project management, EU affairs, strategic planning and community coordination in NGO’s.

Isaque was also an international trainer in the areas of Project Management, Decision Making and Sustainable Development, delivering training courses in 4 different continents. He enjoys working in an international and multicultural context with space to share and learn. His motivation to work for a more sustainable and prosperous world is based on the genuine interest in creating positive impact in the global community.

When Isaque is not reading or discussing geopolitics, he likes to take photographs of new places and people, or travelling to world wonders.

– What does inner wellbeing mean to you?

Inner Wellbeing to me means to feel good about myself, my connection with others, with my passions, my work and the surrounding environment.

– How would you define wellbeing in one word?

Mindfulness

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

Meditation, Regular Exercise, Healthy Eating and Active Communication with others.

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

Wellbeing is an individual and collective journey. One must prioritise this inner-external journey (inner for individual and external for collective – wellbeing), as it is the engine of our interactions, passions, paths and ultimately one’s legacy. It is very difficult to create a positive impact in the world without taking into consideration individual and collective wellbeing.

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

Books: Think Like a Monk – Jay Shetty | Principles – Ray Dalio.
Podcasts: Impact Theory – Tom Bilyeu | On Purpose – Jay Shetty.

Samuel Smith

Hearth Summit Community Senior Manager at The Wellbeing Project

Paris,
France

Sam is a passionate community builder with a keen interest in the arts, having graduated in Graphic Design and Visual Communication.

Sam’s first taste of social impact came shortly after; partnering with The Arts Council England on a project to redistribute funding to benefit underrepresented communities. This spurred a keen interest in the power of art and culture to catalyse community development. One of Sam’s proudest achievements was working on the City of Liverpool’s successful bid to become the Capital of Culture, and witnessing the resulting dynamic improvements to the region.

In 2018, Sam returned to the social change sector after working at sea for five years, during which time he was able to travel extensively through six continents. He has since been involved in sustainable tourism projects, as well as contributing to the Design for Good campaign to promote human-centred design.

Through his role as Senior Community Manager, Sam relishes building meaningful connections and engaging networks of dedicated actors within the field of social change.

Connect with Samuel Smith on social media:

Reflections on the Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Carnival in Bangladesh, an event supported by The Wellbeing Project

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Belen Gutierrez

People & Culture Strategist at The Wellbeing Project

Madrid,
Spain

I am an inveterate traveler, a lover of sports and my family. Hard worker and lover of what I do.

Some people define me as a good listener, great sensitivity, strength and good vibe.. but what I like the most is that they tell me that I am also a great human being -full of virtues and defects!-, open to continue learning and growing to be able to leave a positive mark on this world.

PEOPLE move me! Accompany and help both human beings and organizations to find their WHY, their purpose and wellbeing to achieve their essence goals, whether they are life, organizational and/or strategic. It connects me to work with the human and professional being that is inside each one of us to extract the best of ourselves. I have a clear conviction that if we work for purpose based on and connected to our values ​​and strengths, we and those around us will be happier and we will feel more fulfilled.

I am inspired by working with different cultures, environments and ages, learning from them and sharing my own experiences from having worked in different countries and in multicultural contexts. I vibrate with the magic that is generated by challenging ourselves, sharing and leaving our comfort zone because I feel that it is there where we learn and build our own legacy.

I feel happiness and serenity, because I am on the path I have chosen. I have been working in the world of organizations for 20 years, in management and leaderships positions in People and Culture in countries such as the UK, Brazil and Spain and I still have much more to do and learn as a People & Culture Lead in The Wellbeing Project.

– What does inner wellbeing mean to you?

It is connecting with something intimate, sacred and powerful that I need to listen to and respect more

– How would you define wellbeing in one word?

Inner peace

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

meditation, yoga, breath exercises, mindfulness, journaling, therapy, massages….a lot.

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

I love and follow our statement “wellbeing inspire welldoing” and also I know as a coach what if I “don´t” care about me is quite difficult to “care of others”

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

One of the first books I read was from OSHO “de la medicacion a la meditacion” and another from John Selby called “Immune-system activation”. Also I love to use different apps like: insight timer or calm. And super super recommend this podcast: “meditate this!”

Connect with Belen Gutierrez on social media:

Ricardo Paz

People & Culture Elder at The Wellbeing Project

Caracas, Venezuela

Connect with Ricardo Paz on social media:

Ricardo is from Venezuela and has Psychology/Human Resources degrees. He has dedicated his career of more than 40 years to the mission of developing successful workplaces, so people can realize their potential in them.

Joined TWP on 2021 to advise on People & Culture and help to develop the Team to reach their goals.

Development begins with self-knowledge, and it never ends. Constant awareness of who we are provide us with BALANCE and that is WELLBEING for him: the dynamic and conscious effort to reconcile who we are and who we want to be.

A ritual he usually does is every night, before sleep, review what happened during the day and try to learn something from that day.

He follows Adam Grant, an American Organizational Psychologist and professor at Wharton School, with excellent research and individual development tips, including ways to improve your thinking and behavior.

Ricardo believes that you get what you give to others in life. There is also a connection between thoughts, words, and actions. That congruence is the beginning of BEING WELL individually and collectively.

What does inner wellbeing mean to you?

A continuous process, a journey

How would you define wellbeing in one word?

Balance

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

A short meditation at night before going to sleep.

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

Everything is connected: feelings, emotions, health, thoughts, and actions.  Wellbeing Inspires Welldoing.

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

I read, many years ago, “Sidharta” by Hermann Hesse.  This book impacted me very much and contains a precious perspective on life. A quote from the book: “I want to learn from myself, I want to be my disciple, to know myself.”

Fernanda Martinez

Networks Manager at The Wellbeing Project

Mexico City,
Mexico

Connect with Fernanda Martinez on social media:

María Fernanda, better known as Nanda in the Project, has a degree in International Relations and Geopolitics but her true calling is teaching. She currently works part time as a high school teacher.

Life itself nourishes her and she enjoys being surrounded by her pets, family, friends and even her students.

Maintaining connection and balance between mind and body is the way she takes care of her own wellbeing day by day and she has even delved into the topic by studying courses in bioneuroemotion. However, keeping this balance sometimes requires performing simple actions like when she bakes something delicious, the senses (taste and smell) can be delighted during the complete process while happy old memories become present.

What does inner wellbeing mean to you?

Deep connection with our true self and our true mission

How would you define wellbeing in one word?

Balance

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

Mindfulness, Ayurveda and Bioneuroemotion

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

Because we can’t give what we don’t have, how can we wish for a world without violence if we are violent with ourselves?

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

El arte de Desaprender, Enric Corbera.

Elena Crescia

Wellbeing Events Advisor, The Wellbeing Project

São Paulo,
Brazil

Connect with Elena Crescia on social media:

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.

Beatriz Retamar

Strategy Implementation Senior Manager at The Wellbeing Project

Madrid,
Spain

Connect with Beatriz Retamar on social media:

Beatriz, who prefers to be called Bea, studied a double degree in Business Management and Law. However, it was during her first working experiences when she realized that helping or being of service to others was her passion.

Bea has spent 10 years working in the Customer Relations/ Hospitality business with a special interest in CRM. After living in many countries such as Mexico, Lithuania, The Netherlands, and Portugal she enjoys working in international environments, and this brought her to The Wellbeing Project back in December, 2022.

She enjoys the little things in life; going for a walk, spending quality time with her beloved ones, watching a good movie or reading a book. One of her biggest passion is working out at the gym, especially strength training, but also a good yoga lesson every now and then.

Her interests are diverse with a special emphasis on Spirituality, Psychology, Neuroscience and anything related to the self-discovery or creating more meaningful connections.

– What does inner wellbeing mean to you?

Taking care of your emotional, physical and spiritual state.

– How would you define wellbeing in one word?

Health

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

I try to meditate or do breathing exercises every morning, even if it is just for 5 minutes that literally shift my energy during the whole day. I also like to walk slow, being conscious of my steps and breathing. Whenever I want to be focused, I do enjoy listening to alpha waves and if I can’t sleep I try to do a body scan. Eating real food is something that enhances my wellbeing in my daily life.

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

As we say, wellbeing inspires welldoing. When you are taking care of yourself, you live your life with compassion, love, caring and being present in the moment. All of this creates an impact, not only in your inner world but in the outer world as well by the way you connect with people or the way you face challenges. You are awake and ready to receive the world’s energy.

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

I have read many books from Borja Vilaseca, who I am a big fan of, also Louise Hay, Marian Rojas, Mario Alonso Puig, Dr. Mark Hyman. Those are some of the first names that popped in my mind.

Dana Preston

Development and Partnership Lead at The Wellbeing Project

Mexico City,
Mexico

Connect with Dana Preston on social media :

Dana has had the privilege and pleasure of weaving her personal interests, passions and values into her professional career. A love of Latin America and the Caribbean led her to study, live and work abroad in the region for more than 12 years. She ended up in Mexico City where she’s been residing for over a decade.

Her deep commitment to intersectional feminism gifted her the chance to work with and for diverse gender justice non-profits in North and Central America. Feminist movements taught her about self and collective care which inspired her to take her first “work intermission” to pause, rest and replenish.

Benefitting enormously from time off, Dana decided to look for ways to work at the intersection of inner wellbeing and social change. This journey led Dana to The Wellbeing Project where she currently leads development efforts building out a broad base of financial and non-financial resources for greater wellbeing and mental health in the global social change field.

– What does inner wellbeing mean to you?

My inner wellbeing journey is an ongoing invitation to observe without judgement and to practice compassion with myself and with others. It’s gifted me the ability to be truly present in a diversity of moments affording me greater connection to my own body, to those around me, and to my environment. Along the way, I am more plugged into my own curiosity, pain, creativity and pleasure which helps me know myself better and become a more authentic version of myself. It’s from this place that I feel I can be kinder to myself, my partner, friends, family, community and the planet.

– How would you define wellbeing in one word?

Peaceful

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

  • Connecting with my physical body through mindful movement like stretching or walking
  • Noticing and being with my breath
  • Tending to my garden and observing the small changes that unfold every day
  • Hugging and talking to my pets
  • Long phone calls with friends
  • Talking to the moon
  • Dancing like no one is watching
  • My mindfulness community
  • Journaling
  • Thinking about my ancestors
  • A good hearty laugh
  • Being in service of others, trying to reduce their suffering

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

You can’t have one without the other! We are deeply interconnected. The wellbeing of any group, community or society depends on the wellbeing of those within it.

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

  • Pleasure Activism by Adrienne Maree Brown
  • All things Tara Brach!
  • A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
  • Lisa Olivera newsletter Human Stuff

Caroline Harroch

Organizational Wellbeing Innovation Lead at The Wellbeing Project

Madrid,
Spain

Connect with Caroline Harroch on social media:

Caroline Harroch is the Corporate Engagement Lead for the Project. Caroline joins The Wellbeing Project from a career in the financial industry in New York and in London. Most recently she was a Principal at Blackstone. Caroline changed her career path after a year long sabbatical when she travelled the world and explored her inner world. She is based in Madrid and is a mother of two very cute yet naughty boys.

– What does inner wellbeing mean to you?

To me inner wellbeing is defined as a holistic state of being healthy physically, mentally and spiritually. Inner wellbeing is a journey, multidimensional and very personal.

– How would you define wellbeing in one word?

Holistic

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

Yes I meditate, practice yoga, forest bathing and spend as much quality time as I can with the humans that fulfill me and give me joy.

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

Caring for our own wellbeing is fundamental in building a happy life. We can’t care for others if we don’t nurture ourselves first. We need to prioritise collective wellbeing in order to co-create a more conscious world. We all play a role in creating a better future.

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

Yes so many… but one book in particular had a big influence in my personal wellbeing journey: Breaking the habit of being yourself by Doctor Joe Dispenza.

Alexis Adato

Hearth Summit Community Senior Manager at The Wellbeing Project

Madrid,
Spain

Connect with ALEXIS ADATO on social media:

Alexis is a social scientist and artistic mediator.  She’s dedicated part of her professional life to designing and facilitating processes to promote inner development as individuals and as part of the collective.  She’s proactive and a natural organizer, strategizer, and facilitator from events to meaningful conversations.  She has lived in 5 different countries and enjoyed each cultural experience to the fullest.

Alexis is fascinated by the human mind and the different paths we each take to return to our original human being.  For her, inner wellbeing is always coming back to the crafted path that connects the gut, the heart, and the mind to navigate each situation regardless of its intensity.  She believes that having wellbeing at the core of action allows possibilities to arise in our favor.

Writing morning pages, dancing, and practicing yoga are some of her favorite tools to tap into empathic listening and assertive communication.

An all-time guide for Alexis is The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom book by Don Miguel Ruiz, and a fun podcast she likes is Invisibilia from NPR.