Inaugural Global Wellness Awards held at the GSWS in Morocco

Above: Sarah Livia Brightwood (left) and Magatte Wade (right) accetping their awards 

Wellness pioneers Donald Ardell and Jack Travis were among the winners of the inaugural Global Wellness Awards, presented at the eighth Global Spa & Wellness Summit in Marrakech last week. 

Travis and Ardell were the joint recipients of the Wellness Innovator award. Summit chairman and chief executive Susie Ellis said: “We are honoured to present you with this award, thank you for what you have done [for the industry].” Accepting the award, Travis said: “I am excited to see [the industry’s] potential, and to see what we will be talking about five years from now.” 

The first Leader in Sustainability award went to Sarah Livia Brightwood. president of wellness destination retreat Rancho La Puerta. Ellis commented of Brightwood: “You are a true leader in sustainability and we are proud to give you this award.” 

Magatte Wade received the Leading Woman in Wellness award. Wade, who was alo the opening keynote speaker on day one of the summit, is the chief executive and founder of Senegal-based skincare brand Tiossan. 

Ellis commented that Wade is “A role model, a woman who has forged her own path to wellness and in the process inspired others.” Accepting the award, an emotional Wade said: “All I can say is thank you so very much.”