Personal Information Amy McDonald, Founder and CEO of Under a Tree, is a globally recognized leader in the spa, hospitality, and wellness industries with over 35 years of expertise. She has directed some of the world’s most iconic wellness properties, including Miraval, Mii amo, Castle Hot Springs, and Four Seasons, pioneering projects that merge business success with transformative health innovation. Her contributions earned her the 2024 Women of Wellness Award from the Global Wellness Institute. With a client base spanning Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond, she advises real estate firms and investors on regenerative and preventive wellness development. A sought-after speaker and industry influencer, she

Personal Information A graduate of the University of Lyon and Godmer House in Oxford, Asma El Mernissi has over 25 years of experience across multiple fields related to wellness. She has held senior leadership roles including Export Director in tour operating, Commercial Director of Morocco’s leading private hotel chain (17 properties and film studios), and Director of its international travel agencies and sales offices. She has also overseen the international development and promotion of thalassotherapy, thermalism, and balneotherapy. A pioneer of franchising in Morocco, she is also an international speaker on ancestral Oriental wellness and a consultant for spa, thermal, and thalasso projects. She is the

Personal Information Beth Gatonye is a seasoned massage therapist and social entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in wellness and community empowerment. Originally from Nairobi, Kenya, she has lived in Rwanda for a decade and is the founder of Seeing Hands Rwanda, established in 2017. The organization trains visually impaired individuals in massage therapy and ICT skills, providing free training, workspace, equipment, and products to foster income generation. Beth has successfully placed blind therapists in hotels and spas across Rwanda, promoting economic independence. She holds a diploma in Esthetics Arts and Sciences and volunteers her services to vulnerable groups, offering free massage

Personal Information After gaining experience at Lancôme-L’Oréal in Mexico, LVMH in New York, and Danone and Sara Lee in Barcelona, Caroline Bauchet-Bouhlal joined the family-owned Es Saadi Marrakech Resort in 2003, where she created the marketing department and developed the Wellness division. In 2007, as Development Director during the opening of the Es Saadi Palace, she led the rebranding, communication, and expansion of the Resort’s outlets and services. Since 2017, she has served as Deputy General Manager alongside her husband, Jean-Alexandre Bauchet-Bouhlal, the General Manager.

Personal Information Daisy is an award-winning architect and WELL Accredited Professional specialising in wellness-centred design. Driven by a deep resonance  for the intersection of architecture and well-being, she has contributed to high-profile projects, working on luxury hotels and resorts in Saudi Arabia, and serves as a design-management consultant to help firms deliver successful projects across the GCC. Her expertise in wellness and therapeutic design also spans Africa, Latvia and Montenegro with a strong emphasis on local craft and material. Supported by a strong background in design management, she balances creative vision with efficient delivery to ensure seamless project execution. Daisy’s work

Personal Information Mr. Fadhel BOUAZIZ is an expert in the textile and laundry industry with over 15 years of experience in the manufacturing and sale of household linen for renowned laundries (Elis, Pedersoli, Salesianer…), as well as for hotels and spas around the world. In 2020, he founded the first 4.0 industrial laundry in Tunisia, BBS laundry, which processes more than 6 tons of linen per day, despite the numerous challenges of the local market, such as the lack of continuity of water and electricity quality, staff qualification, as well as the availability of raw materials and spare parts. Thanks to his dual expertise in manufacturing and linen treatment, Fadhel has established strong partnerships

Personal Information Gil Amsallem has been a physiotherapist for over 30 years, trained in manual therapies as well as traditional Asian, Indian, and Western massage techniques. As an author, speaker, and health & wellness consultant, he divides his time between private practice, professional training, and consulting for leading cosmetic brands, thalassotherapy centers, spas, and institutes.

Personal Information Grace Zichawo is a Certified Wellness, Etiquette & Beauty Consultant, Spa Educator, and Entrepreneur with a Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Business Management, Accounting, and Entrepreneurship. Grace holds international beauty therapy qualifications in both ITEC & CIDESCO. She is the Director and Business Development Manager at Elite School of Beauty Zimbabwe—a premier institution offering internationally accredited wellness and beauty qualifications—Grace is at the forefront of advancing professional education in the wellness sector. With over ten years of hands-on experience, Grace is passionate about transforming lives through structured training and continuous

About the Speaker Hamid Bentahar is President of the National Confederation of Tourism in Morocco. With over 35 years of international experience in luxury hospitality, he has led Accor Morocco and Accor Africa, managing more than 150 hotels in 25 countries and overseeing brands such as Fairmont, Sofitel, Movenpick, Pullman, and MGallery. He has been awarded the French Legion of Honor, the French Tourism Gold Medal, and named “Tourism Industry Leader of the Year” at the Morocco Tourism Awards 2024.

Personal Information Born in Kitwe Zambia, educated across South Africa and now a wellness entrepreneur, Kent Richards is thrilled to be presenting at the Africa Wellness Congress. With over thirty years leading high profile spa, fitness and wellness hospitality brands, Kent has much experience in setting-up and successfully operating facilities in over twenty-five countries around the world.  As the Founder of Wellness World Global, he works with a variety of companies and is committed to the development and recognition of Africa as a leading wellness destination. A longstanding loyal friend of the Global Wellness Institute, Kent is driven to promote Africa through his work with the Africa Wellness