GWI appoints China-based entrepreneur and Tianren Culture co-founder Victor Koo to advisory board
– Susie Ellis
The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has announced that Victor Koo, chair of Heyi Holdings and co-founder of Tianren Culture, will join its advisory board.
Koo previously founded and served as chair and CEO of Youku – a popular Chinese video streaming service.
His current focus is investing and supporting social innovation initiatives that promote health and sustainability for the planet and its inhabitants.
Heyi Holdings, which Koo founded in 2005, focuses on disruptive innovation and social impact investments in the areas of health, genomics and food.
In addition, Tianren Culture, which he co-founded in 2016, is a next-generation social platform that acts as a catalyst to foster positive global values and lifestyles.
As an early strategic partner of GWI’s The Wellness Moonshot, Tianren Culture disseminates important messages on eradicating preventable, chronic disease on WeChat, the largest social media platform in mainland China.
“Victor has long been an advocate for positive change and committed to global wellness," remarked Susie Ellis, chair and CEO of GWI.
"His insights and contributions to GWI’s Wellness Moonshot have helped us better understand and reach the vast Chinese market.
“One of our goals in 2021 is to extend our board’s global representation, and I can’t think of a better partner than Victor to help us make a difference in Asia.”
In 2019, Koo spoke at the 2019 Global Wellness Summit on ‘China Rising: Understanding/Decoding the World's Biggest Market.’
Koo’s Tianren Culture works with funders, NGOs and business partners to put in place high-impact, effective social innovation initiatives to improve physical health and reduce factory-farmed animal protein consumption and production by promoting flexitarian diets and food innovation such as plant-based, fermentation and cell-based technologies.
Tianren also supports scientific research and promotes meditation and breathwork practices to improve mental and emotional wellness.
“Physical and mental wellness are critical aspects of our lives, and the GWI has been at the forefront of leading research and building a global community around this pivotal area during this time of uncertainty and innovation potential,” said Koo.
“I’m excited to join the board to contribute to this important cause.”
In his new role, Koo will help amplify the GWI’s mission of empowering wellness worldwide by facilitating collaboration, providing global research and insight, triggering innovation, and advocating for growth and sustainability, and contributing to the development of the organisation’s five pillars: research, initiatives, roundtable discussions, WellnessEvidence.com and The Wellness Moonshot.
Koo joins an esteemed board of industry luminaries, including:
– Jeffrey Abramson - partner, The Tower Companies, US– Alexia Brue - co-founder, Well+Good, US
– Dr Richard Carmona - Canyon Ranch chief of health innovation, 17th surgeon general of the US, US– Nancy Davis - chief creative officer and executive director, GWI, US
– Pierre-Louis Delapalme - co-chair, Biologique Recherche, France– Susie Ellis - Chair and CEO, GWI, US
– Michelle Floh - CEO, R&J Abramson Foundation, US– Melisse Gelula - wellness entrepreneur and co-founder of Well+Good, US
– Sue Harmsworth - founder and owner, Sue Harmsworth Ltd, UK– John Kao - serial innovator, thought leader and best-selling author, US
– Mia Kyricos - president and CEO, Kyricos & Associates LLC, US– Renee Moorefield, PhD - CEO, Wisdom Works, US
– Laurie Racine - CEO and founder, LifeSquare, US– Dr Michael Roizen - chief wellness officer, Cleveland Clinic, US
– Rupert Schmid - co-president, Biologique Recherche, France– Rick Stollmeyer - co-founder and executive chair, Mindbody, US
– Richard Woltman - chair emeritus, Girard Securities, US
Victor Koo Susie Ellis Sue Harmsworth Melisse Gelula Well + Good Dr Richard Carmona Canyon Ranch Biologique Recherche Mia Kyricos MindbodyGWS opens new wellness tech innovation competition, winner will be crowned at 2020 Summit
GWI appoints innovation specialist, John Kao, to advisory board
Moorefield and Floh appointed to GWI Board of Directors
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
