Africa Wellness Initiative Members
Initiative Chair
Mariane Akwenye, Managing Director, Nomad Group, Namibia
Mariane Akwenye, visionary founder of Nomad, an ecosystem of curated health and wellness offerings with a deep passion for culture and holistic well-being. With over two decades of experience, Mariane established the award-winning Nomad Wellness Homestead and Makai product line. She specializes in ancestry-inspired cultural wellness consultancy and has made her mark in high-end spa resorts across Southern Africa. Through her social enterprise, Mariane empowers undervalued women, particularly those with visual impairment, with essential skills for careers in the health and wellness industry. Transitioning from Namibia’s first black female commercial pilot to a Wellness Entrepreneur, Mariane now advocates for Wellness Tourism in her home country. Committed to inclusivity and promoting African heritage in wellness solutions, she is a pioneer and advocate of African wellness.
Vice-Chair
Michelle Saudan, Founder & Facilitator of Amanzi Wellbeing, Dubai-Zimbabwe
Born and Raised in Zimbabwe, Michelle was proudly awarded with the Global Wellness Summit’s Susie Ellis Scholarship recipient for Equity in Wellness 2023 and is the Co-Chair for the Global Wellness Institute’s African Wellness Initiative. Amanzi Wellbeing works at the intersection of wellness and community empowerment and is devoted to supporting and holding space for our global community through the awareness of Africa’s Unique Wellness Assets via Transformational Retreats. Intently heart-led on creating safe spaces of healing for the local Southern African community through accessible Trauma-Informed wellness programs, workshops and retreats. She has been traveling around the world from the age of 16 years old and has visited 70 countries, making the global community her home. During her journey she found confirmation of the importance of healing in community, through shared laughter, grief, movement, and mindfulness – concepts also deeply rooted in the African Culture.
Steve Andrews
Master Therapist | CEO, Steve Andrews & Associates, Barbados
Steve Andrews, founder of Soothing Touch Spa and The Bamboo Retreat in Barbados, has over 29 years of experience in health and wellness. A passionate trainer, he has taught across the Caribbean and led international workshops in Europe, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Specializing in spa development, operations, and culture, Steve became Barbados’ Global Wellness Ambassador in 2018. As CEO of Steve Andrews & Associates, he continues to share his expertise in massage therapy with practitioners worldwide.
Mahlodi Letsie
Founder/CEO – Bare Mind Holdings, South Africa
Mahlodi Letsie is the Founder & CEO of Bare Mind Holdings, a pioneering HealthTech venture dedicated to destigmatizing mental health within African communities. Under her leadership, Bare Mind is piloting a transformative platform designed to provide personalised mental wellness solutions. Currently engaged in a groundbreaking partnership with a corporate client serving 1600 employees, Mahlodi is spearheading initiatives to integrate mindfulness into corporate wellness strategies. With a commitment to innovation and accessibility, Bare Mind is set to revolutionise mental health support through its gamified interface and culturally resonant content. Mahlodi holds degrees from The University of Cape Town and recently completed postgraduate studies in Mindfulness-Based Interventions at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences.
Leah Nduati
Yoga Experiences Africa
Leah is a certified yoga instructor and the Founder of Yoga Experiences Africa. Yoga Experiences Africa democratizes access to holistic wellness in Africa through an AI-driven discovery & booking portal for yoga and wellness in Africa. The portal empowers communities to access vetted wellness services, community wellness events, and professional wellness training. Yoga Experiences Africa was declared winner of the 2023 Shark Tank of wellness at the Global Wellness Summit and has built a community of yoga teachers from 22 African countries. Leah also serves as Vice Chair of Global Wellness Institute ’s Yoga Therapy initiative. Born in Kenya and living in Ghana, Leah has extensive experience working as a venture builder and trade facilitator in Africa, having worked in over 12 African markets.
Denzil Phillips
Founder | Director Denzil Philips International Ltd/ Barbados
Denzil Phillips has spent over 35 years working with botanicals and natural products across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. He co-founded High Value Horticulture plc in 1989 and launched Denzil Phillips International Ltd (DPIL) in 1998, advising top natural product companies, governments, and global agencies like the World Bank and the EU. Now based in Barbados, he focuses on connecting Africa and the Caribbean in high-value crops. He founded the Association of African Medicinal Plants Standards (AAMPS) and the Global Frankincense Alliance (GFA) and advises the Spa and Wellness Association of Africa (SWAA) and the Global Wellness Institute (GWI). His expertise lies in the conservation and sustainable sourcing of indigenous plants.
Kent Richards
Corporate Director of Spa Operations – Global Spa- Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas
Born in Kitwe, Zambia, and raised across South Africa, Kent Richards grew up immersed in fitness before transitioning into the global spa and wellness industry. With 20 years in fitness and 15 in spa and wellness, he now oversees over 30 spas worldwide as Six Senses’ Corporate Director of Spa Operations. Rooted in African values, Kent embraces “ubuntu” in his decision-making, believing in collective solutions for lasting impact. Now based in Bangkok and London, he contributes to the Africa Wellness Initiative, sharing global expertise to spotlight Africa’s rich wellness traditions.
Josephine Wairimu Njenga
Holistic Wellbeing Specialist – Kenya/Maldives
Josephine is a distinguished Holistic Well-being Specialist, Wellness Programme Architect, and Integrative Somatic Therapist driven by a profound passion for guiding individuals on their journey towards optimal health and overall well-being. With nearly two decades of experience in the wellness industry. Her work artfully blends Ancient Wisdom and modern science. She has significantly contributed to advancing wellness practices across Africa, the Middle East and Asia She was nominated for the Leader of the Quarter within her organization and for Wellness Personality of the Year (2024) in the Maldives, further highlighting her impact on the Global Wellness community. With an educational background in the Science of Medical Intuition, a Degree in Human Anatomy and Physiology, a Certified Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher and a Master Integrative Somatic Practitioner Certification. Josephine believes in nurturing the innate healing abilities within individuals, meeting them at their point of need, and creating personalized wellness programs grounded in compassion, authenticity, and empowerment.
Krystal-Joy Williams
Founder- Women Wellness Africa / Ghana
Krystal-Joy Williams, born in London to Guyanese and Sierra Leonean parents, brings a multicultural perspective to her work. With over a decade in digital advertising as a Producer, she excelled in building niche communities and strong brand relationships. After 12 years in Barcelona, the COVID-19 pandemic led her to relocate to Ghana in 2021, transitioning from advertising to wellness. She founded Women Wellness Africa (WWA) to support wellness practitioners and has partnered with brands like Samsung, Melcom, and EcoBank. Now, Krystal-Joy is dedicated to promoting wellness as a lifestyle in Africa, empowering women, and fostering cultural pride.
