Global Wellness Summit celebrates award winners

Wellness architecture pioneer Veronica Schreibeis Smith has been named ‘Leading Woman in Wellness’ during a ceremony at the 14th annual Global Wellness Summit.

Awards were presented in a total of four categories at the 2020 hybrid event, which connected in-person delegates at The Breakers, Palm Beach, US with hundreds of virtual attendees across a three-day schedule.

Among the other winners, Lynne and Victor Brick were given The Debra Simon Award for Leader in Furthering Mental Wellness; Krysta Silva from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, Georgia, US took first place in the Shark Tank of Wellness Awards; and the inaugural Global Wellness Summit Prize for Innovation was awarded to Israel-based company Amai Proteins for its work on fixing the global food system.

Schreibeis Smith (pictured top) is the founder of Vera Iconica Architecture and won the accolade for her contribution to wellness through designs that are in harmony with nature, as well as her role as an industry leader in aesthetics, science and technology.

Upon accepting the Hyatt Hotels & Resorts-sponsored prize from GWS chief operating officer and executive director Nancy Davis, Schreibeis Smith said: “Being recognised for the impact we want to have on the industry is an incredible honour. Thank you so much for all of the support that you have given to me.”

The Debra Simon Award for Leader in Furthering Mental Wellness was presented to Lynne and Victor Brick by GWS chair and CEO Susie Ellis on behalf of Lauren Wright.

The Bricks created the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation, honouring Victor’s brother John, who suffered from mental illness for many years. The Foundation’s mission is to fund and promote evidence-based research on how healthy lifestyle choices – such as exercise, nutrition and mind-body practices – benefit mental health. The Debra Simon Family Foundation sponsors the award.

After receiving a standing ovation from GWS delegates, Victor Brick said: “My brother’s passing was tragic at the time [and] I never cried so hard in my life. But… if his life is an agent for change, then it was a successful life.”

The Inaugural Global Wellness Summit Prize for Innovation was awarded to Amai Proteins, an Israel-based innovator for innovative Sweet Designer Proteins sugar substitutes – a healthy sustainable alternative to sugar.

The company faced stiff competition with 84 entrants from all sectors of the wellness industry being whittled down to the top 12 finalists by a panel of international CEOs, business leaders and venture capitalists in the wellness space. The award was sponsored by WellTech1, a wellness fund and innovation hub in Tel Aviv.