Initiative Chair

Founder, Droga & Co., Australia

Katherine Droga is passionate about the transformational effect travel can have for people and the planet. She is the founder of several global wellness platforms, including the Wellness Tourism Industry Summit, Wellness Wander Festival, Well Traveller TV, and welltraveller.com.au. Her consultancy firm, Droga & Co., specializes in wellness and sustainable visitor strategies and capacity building for destinations, tourism experiences, and events worldwide. Katherine has worked for over 25 years, successfully leading teams and brands in the tourism and media sector. She was previously part of the executive leadership team for Tourism Australia and led the organizations international operations, distribution platforms, and partnerships for over a decade.  Katherine is proud to be an advisor to the Transformational Travel Council, the Australian Ambassador for Global Wellness Day, and a champion for kid’s wellbeing initiatives globally.

Vice Chair

Senior Director Wellness Strategy & Development, Red Sea Global, Saudi Arabia &
Founder, Meraki Bespoke Wellness Strategies-Cote D’Azur, France

Lindsay has spent the past 24 years working across the globe for some of the most prestigious hospitality leaders. Currently leading the Wellness Strategy for Red Sea Global in Saudi Arabia, she is responsible for igniting the overall strategy of two giga projects under the Saudi 2030 vision while driving success in creating the world’s most comprehensive integrated wellness destination. Lindsay is a self-described industry disrupter, making it her mission to ensure each project has a strong differentiation and strategy at its heart. Her solid expertise and attention to detail come from managing and opening over 75 spas.  Lindsay’s broad experience includes founding partner at Meraki Bespoke Wellness Strategies, a bespoke wellness consultancy that cultivates an approach that incorporates both social and environmental well-being, heightening wellness concepts to their fullest potential. She has also spent 7 years as the Global Director of well-being of Accor for luxury brands such as Raffles, Fairmont, and Orient Express. Lindsay led the global well-being strategy starting from brand creation and programming to project management, design, and pre-opening. Having recently taken part in the Cambridge University Sustainability Leadership program for Sustainable Real Estate for the Build Environment, using this knowledge to genuinely elevate and transform brands in the wellbeing industry..

Nikos Kouremenos

Education & Project Manager, Raison d;Etre, Sweden

Nikos has more than 25 years experience in the health & fitness / wellness industry ranging from private large health & fitness clubs and municipal centers to smaller facilities as well as chains(concept design, feasibility studies, layout designs and business plans, pre-opening and opening). He is a Board Member of the Greek Health Tourism Association, member of the experts council of Asklepieia Health Cluster and also Head of the Global Spa Management Education online program. A visiting Lecturer at international MBA Hospitality programs, Nikos is a Certified ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) Health & Fitness Director and CIDESCO Beauty & Spa Manager and proud to be a World Wellness Weekend Ambassador.

Judith Ertler-Hofer

Founder, JEH Consulting & Partner, Ertler Executive Search, Austria

Judith, a seasoned lecturer in Health & Wellness Tourism, Sales, and Networking at global universities, is an esteemed international spa business consultant from Austria. With a career spanning over 20 years, she has excelled in prestigious roles at renowned hotels like Gran Hotel La Florida and The Dolder Grand, crafting award-winning spa concepts and driving guest retention and employee motivation. Transitioning from hospitality to cosmetics and packaging industries, Judith’s expertise extends to strategic business development, guest segmentation, and team empowerment. As a key partner at Ertler Executive Search, she leverages her extensive background to deliver exceptional results for clients worldwide.

Andrea Sironi

Manager Operations, GOCO Hospitality, Thailand

Andrea is an Italian national, with over 8 years of experience shaping wellness and leisure experiences on a global scale. Holding diverse roles at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Andrea contributed significantly to the success of wellness and leisure initiatives in various flagship properties across Asia and Middle East. Currently working as an Operations Manager for GOCO Hospitality Spa & Wellness Consultancy, he specializes in strategic planning, concept development, and operational excellence for Wellness Hospitality and Managed properties. With Wellness and Hospitality as his passion, Andrea consistently challenges the status quo, striving to set new standards that redefine the guest’s holistic journey.

Sunai Wachirawarakarn

Co-Founder of Beauty Innovation and Beyond & President of Thai Spa Association, Thailand

With over 25 years of experience in the wellness industry in Asia, Sunai is a Master of Science graduate in Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. He has managed 50+ spas across Asia and the Middle East, and served as the operations manager for Mspa International in Southern Asia. Sunai then founded a spa consulting company, working on projects in Asia, including China. Recognized as the “Spa Educator of the Year” at the Thai Spa and Well-being awards, he now co-founded Beauty Innovation and Beyond to distribute beauty and wellness technology in Thailand. As the president of the Thai Spa Association, Sunai continues to drive the wellness industry in Thailand with creativity and sustainability, collaborating with the government to uphold industry standards and regulations.