Initiative Chair, Julie Bach

Executive Director, Wellness for Cancer, United States

Julie Bach is a globally recognized wellness thought leader and recipient of the Leading Woman in Wellness award from the Global Wellness Summit (2017). For over 20 years, she has coached women to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives through workshops spanning 60+ countries. A Board-Certified Health Coach, Julie is the Founding Chair of the Society of Integrative Oncology’s Health Coaching Special Interest Group, advocating for health coaching in integrative cancer care. Her work merges corporate expertise in strategy and change management with wellness practices in stress resilience, movement, nutrition, sleep, and brain health to reduce cancer risk and improve outcomes.

Vice-Chair, Joelle Kaufman

Crushing the Cancer Curveball, United States

With 40 years of navigating cancer and building tech companies, Joelle created a groundbreaking approach to her treatment, achieving full remission and discovering unparalleled happiness. This same methodology powered her professional success and balanced family life. Her book aims to share these insights with others. Joelle is passionate about empowering cancer patients to reclaim control of their journey, amplifying their voice, and reducing the fear and confusion that often accompany a diagnosis. As a caregiver nine times and a patient herself in 2023, Joelle brings a deep, empathetic understanding to her mission. Her family often says, “We’ve seen the movie, and now we know how to write a better ending.”

Adriana Azuara

CEO, All4Spas, Mexico

Adriana Azuara is the founder and CEO of All4Spas; professor at the University of Tourism; board member of the Latin American Spa Association; and representative of Wellness for Cancer in Mexico and Latin America. Recognized as a leader and trendsetter, Adriana is the creator of Agave Spa and has been involved in over 400 resort spa and wellness projects in Mexico and Latin America.

Brent A. Bauer, MD

Director, Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic, United States

Dr. Bauer is board-certified in Internal Medicine, a Professor of Medicine and has been on staff at Mayo Clinic for 23 years. His main research interest has been the scientific evaluation of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies that patients and consumers are using with increasing frequency. He has authored several book chapters and over 100 papers on this topic, and is the Medical Editor of the Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine.

Dr. Paola Gómez Hernández

Internal Medicine Physician, Mexico

Paola Gómez Hernández, MD is an Internal Medicine physician. Endorsed by the National Autonomous University of Mexico and graduated with Honorable mention as well as certified by the Mexican Council of Internal Medicine. After a few years of practice she saw the need of seeing patients in a more integrative way so she started a course in Leadership in Integrative Medicine at Duke University. She firmly believes in WHO’s definition of health which is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. She wants to create a bridge between medicine and wellness industry to achieve this purpose, always based in the best medical evidence available. She sees in Wellness for Cancer an opportunity to train people in to giving a chance to Cancer patients not to undermine their mental and physical wellbeing.

Mia Kyricos

President, Kyricos & Associates LLC, United States

Mia Kyricos is president and founder of Kyricos & Associates LLC, a boutique advisory firm providing strategic guidance to wellness, hospitality, tourism and lifestyle companies on a global scale with a specialty in brand strategy.  With over 20 years of experience, Mia has helped to develop, operate, and market wellness-related brands and facilities across 100+ countries, and has worked for industry pioneers including Spafinder Wellness, Inc., Canyon Ranch Health Resorts, Exhale, EXOS and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.  She also regularly advises owners on the development of wellness communities, is a Global Wellness Summit Board Member, an Advisory Board Member for the University of California Irvine, and the Brand Architect of the Global Wellness Institute.

Rupert Schmid

Co-President, Biologique Recherche, France

Following top-level positions at several media and communication agencies, Rupert Schmid worked as head of communication and media at Veolia. Since 2007, Rupert has been chairman and co-owner of Biologique Recherche, an exclusive, premium, professional cosmetic brand with 35 years of success, a select network of partners in 50 countries and recurrent double-digit growth.

Reena Sheeth

Founder & Chief Wellness Strategist, Gaiia, India

Reena Sheth is the Founder & Chief Wellness Strategist at Gaiia, specializing in integrating wellness into hospitality, corporate spaces, and luxury real estate. With 20+ years of experience in luxury wellness and integrative health, she has developed holistic wellness programs, longevity solutions, and workplace strategies. As former Area Wellness Director at Taj Hotels, she launched the “Wellness for Cancer” training in 2021 to provide safe, evidence-based care. A naturopath and longevity strategist, she is a Harvard Business Review Advisory Council Member, Global Goodwill Ambassador, and World Wellness Weekend Ambassador, with features in Vogue, Thrive Global, and Professional Beauty UK. Reena is committed to advancing cancer-supportive care and wellness industry best practices.