Sleep Initiative
Sleep is not just part of a healthy lifestyle; it is the foundation. And sleeping well is the ultimate preventative medicine and contributor to good health, as it is linked to lower body weights, improved mental and physical health, stronger immune systems, and lower risk of chronic diseases. However, insufficient sleep (quantity and quality) is a global public health epidemic that is often unrecognized and under-reported. It is prevalent across various age groups (as cited in this published research paper The Global Problem of Insufficient Sleep and Its Serious Public Health Implications and others) and is considered to have rather high economic costs.
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Initiative Leadership
Initiative Chair
Allison Howard, Founder and CEO, Nollapelli, United States
Allison Howard is the founder and CEO of Nollapelli, a new wellness linen company with innovative products that promote healthier sleep, skin and hair. She brings a background in chemical engineering and 20 years of corporate experience in the US and abroad. Allison is passionate about wellness, healthy aging, and simple ways to improve outcomes. She is based in Pittsburgh, PA, and was a member of the former Beauty Meets Wellness Initiative of the GWI. Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Vice-Chair
Tony Pearson, Founder & CEO, Sleep Wellness Institute, Australia
Tony Pearson is the Founder and CEO of the Sleep Wellness Institute, an Australian-based organisation committed to advancing sleep education, awareness, and wellbeing. A passionate advocate for sleep as the essential foundation of overall health—alongside nutrition, exercise, and mental and emotional wellbeing—Tony has built a platform that translates evidence-based knowledge into real-world outcomes. He is also the founder of the Sleep Wellness Academy, an innovative online learning hub offering structured programs to help individuals and organisations better understand, improve, and prioritise their sleep for enhanced health, performance, and quality of life. His approach combines behavioural science, practical tools, and accessible education to empower people to take control of their sleep health. With a diverse background in executive leadership across health, wellness, education, manufacturing, technology, and organisational consulting, Tony brings a strategic, human-centred perspective to the global conversation on sleep. Based in Sydney, he is recognised as a leading voice in sleep advocacy in Australia and internationally. His mission is clear: better sleep leads to better lives. Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Objectives
The Sleep Initiative, co-chaired by Allison Howard and JD Velilla, exists to elevate international conversation on the importance of sleep. In our first year, we will uncover the factors that contribute to restorative sleep and share tips on how to incorporate these into lifestyles, homes and hotels around the world. Looking ahead, we will explore the interplay between sleep and other pillars of wellness (diet, exercise, etc.) and discuss evidence-based categories of products and services to help ensure restorative sleep.
Initiative Members
Meet the renowned thought leaders in this field who are collaborating to educate and evolve wellness in this area of global importance.
Initiative Resources
View the research, trends, whitepapers, infographics and more from this Initiative, as well as a curated list of third party resources.
VIEW RESOURCES
