Susie Ellis Scholarship for Equity in Wellness

The Susie Ellis Scholarship for Equity in Wellness aims to create more inclusivity at the annual Global Wellness Summit by providing financial assistance to members of an underserved population to join the conference each year, ultimately empowering recipients to return to their local communities and become leaders in the wellness industry. The scholarship is named for Susie Ellis, GWI & GWS Chair & CEO, who has been at the helm of the Summit and its sister non-profit organization, the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), and is very vocal about her commitment to bringing more equity to the wellness industry.

The scholarship fund offers invaluable opportunities for deserving individuals to participate in the Global Wellness Summit (GWS), GWI’s esteemed counterpart and the foremost conference on the wellness industry. This program serves as a bridge, granting access to individuals who may not have had the means to attend the Summit independently. The establishment of the scholarship fund was made possible by the generous contributions of Katrine and Bill Formby, Rick Stollmeyer, Lynne and Victor Brick, and the Szekely Family Foundation. Since its inception, the fund has experienced remarkable growth through the annual live auction held during the GWS gala event. 

We will start accepting applications for the 2024 Scholarship starting March 15, 2024.

Meet the 2023 Recipients

This year, the Global Wellness Institute’s (GWI) Susie Ellis Scholarship for Equity in Wellness received an overwhelming response, with 215 applications pouring in from 61 countries, showcasing the heightened awareness and interest in global wellness equity. In light of these numbers, and to further support deserving individuals, the GWI is delighted to award four scholarships in 2023, doubling the number given in 2022. This year’s Summit, to be held in Miami, Florida, US, from November 6-9, promises to be a transformative event, bringing together leading experts, innovators and influencers from around the globe. GWI relied heavily on input and guidance from two of its advisory board members, Hannah Messerli, PhD, and Nicola Finley, MD, to create a shortlist from the applicant pool. Subsequently, the GWS Board of Advisors voted, resulting in the four deserving recipients. 

Rita Prasad-Ildes, co-founder of Australia’s World Wellness Group, formed with the mission of addressing health inequities for migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum.

Jonathan Imperial, a senior advisor for the Queens Borough President’s Office. His role involves providing community wellness support to the largest public housing community in the United States.

Stella Vidal, the founder of Self-Love Harbor. A resilient Latina psychotherapist, wellness coach, author, and artist.

Theodora WarriorHealy, an Indigenous empowerment facilitator based in Canada, whose ultimate goal is to offer wrap-around care for Indigenous healing.


Support

The fund aims to create more inclusivity by providing financial assistance to members of underserved populations to benefit from the knowledge, networking and experience of the Global Wellness Summit each year. Donate