Susie Ellis Scholarship for Equity in Wellness
The application process for the 2026 Summit is now closed.
The Susie Ellis Scholarship for Equity in Wellness promotes greater inclusivity within the wellness community by providing financial support for individuals from underserved populations to attend the annual Global Wellness Summit (GWS). The scholarship empowers recipients to become wellness industry leaders, bringing valuable insights back to their local communities.
Application deadline was July 31, 2026.
Meet the 2026 Recipients
Resonating with the global movement for equality and inclusion, the fourth year of the Global Wellness Institute’s (GWI’s) Susie Ellis Scholarship for Equity in Wellness welcomed an astounding 300+ applications from over 60 countries.
Krystina Maciuszko
Whole Health Coach and Program Coordinator, US Department of Veterans Affairs, United States
Krystina has dedicated her career to expanding access to whole-person health and integrative wellness, particularly for communities that have historically faced barriers to care. Through her work with U.S. veterans, she champions a more holistic approach to health that addresses physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. An experienced yoga instructor and wellness professional, she hopes to bring fresh ideas and innovative approaches from the Summit back to the veterans and communities she serves.
Tumi Moshoeshoe-Mthombeni
Specialist Physician, Internal Medicine, U Reap Health, South Africa
Dr. Tumi is a physician and passionate advocate for making preventive healthcare and wellness accessible to all. Working within South Africa’s complex healthcare landscape, she is committed to moving wellness beyond private, premium services and integrating prevention into everyday healthcare. An active member of the South African Lifestyle Medicine Association and co-founder of a lifestyle medicine and wellness education platform, she aims to develop practical, scalable wellness solutions that can make a meaningful difference in underserved communities.
Valeria Ruiz
Researcher and Designer, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, Mexico
Valeria is an architect and researcher exploring the powerful connection between neuroscience, architecture and wellbeing. Currently pursuing her PhD, she is passionate about bringing evidence-based healing design into public spaces and healthcare environments across Mexico and Latin America. Her vision is to make wellness-centered architecture accessible to everyone, extending its benefits far beyond luxury spaces to improve the health and wellbeing of entire communities
Lily Sim
Founder, Strive App, Malaysia
Lily is a wellness entrepreneur on a mission to make health and fitness more accessible and sustainable for women. As founder of Strive, a women-first fitness and wellness app, she is creating practical solutions that fit the realities of women’s busy lives. A former PwC professional and co-founder of Female Founders MYSEA, Lily understands the challenges women face balancing health, careers and personal responsibilities. Her work focuses on removing barriers and empowering more women to prioritize their wellbeing.
Recipients of the scholarship will receive
- Full Registration to the 20th Annual Global Wellness Summit.
- Event dates: November 10-13, 2026
- Venue: Phuket, Thailand
- Roundtrip Airfare and Transfers to and from the Summit ($1,500+ value)
- Hotel Accommodations for the duration of the Summit ($1,800 value)
- One-Year Ambassadorship with the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) ($1,000 value)
- Exclusive Access to four days of insights from global wellness leaders
- Networking Opportunities with industry influencers and innovators
The scholarship honors Susie Ellis, Chair and CEO of the Global Wellness Institute and Global Wellness Summit, recognizing her enduring commitment to equity and inclusion in wellness. This initiative bridges the gap for deserving individuals who may not otherwise have the financial means to participate in the Summit, widely regarded as the premier international conference in the wellness sector.
The Susie Ellis Scholarship Fund was generously established by initial contributions from Katrine and Bill Formby, Rick Stollmeyer, Lynne and Victor Brick, and the Szekely Family Foundation. Since its inception, the fund continues to thrive, supported annually by the live auction at the GWS gala event.