Speaker Spotlight

Co-founder and Director at Grupo Wellness Latina. More than 20 years of experience in developing, managing and supervising Employee Assistance Programs and Wellbeing Programs in Latin America. Has recruited, trained and supervised EA affiliate networks in eighteen countries in the region. Coordinates and supervises critical incident services in Latam. Andrea collaborated as Co-chair of EAPA Communications Advisory Panel and has also published several articles such as: How Covid-19, Gender Violence and Femicide intersect in Latin America. 3rd Quarter 2020 | VOL. 50 NO. 3; Impact of Covid Lockdown in Spain and Latin America. 1st Quarter 2021 | VOL. 51 NO. 1

Co-founder and Director at Grupo Wellness Latina. Clinical Psychologist and Mindfulness Instructor. Leads the commercial strategy and coordinates the Client Services team, ensuring quality delivery and client satisfaction across Latin America. Also responsible for the development of digital tools and innovative wellbeing services. Has collaborated in designing and implementing Employee Assistance Programs and Corporate Wellness Programs in several countries of the region. Member of EAPA since 2017 and EAEF. Published the article “Increasing Employee Mindfulness” in the Journal of Employee Assistance (JEA – Vol. 48 – No. 3).

Georgie Drury is an experienced entrepreneur and CEO with a passion for health and technology. As the founder and CEO of Springday, a digital platform to measure and improve wellbeing, she built the business into a multi-million dollar global organisation, operating across 13 countries. Currently, as Co-founder and CEO of Metluma, she leads initiatives focused on innovative team-based care for women transitioning into menopause. Georgie is also a sought-after keynote speaker, strategist, and consultant, and serves on the advisory board for the Corporate Mental Health Alliance Australia (CMHAA).

Jamie MacLennan is Managing Director at TELUS Health for the APAC region. With over 30 years of experience across health, energy, and facility services, he has held leadership roles in Australia, the US, UK, and Singapore. Jamie brings expertise in strategy, M&A, sales, and change leadership, with a proven track record of business transformation. He has served as a board director for Shell, TELUS Corporation, UnitedHealth Group, and the Spotless Group. Under his leadership, TELUS Health has become the leading EAP and wellbeing provider in the Asia-Pacific region.

Dr. Kevin Pyle is a Clinical Psychologist with over 45 years of experience in both private and government sectors, including roles such as Program Director at a psychiatric hospital and statewide program development for the State of Hawaii. Based in Perth, Western Australia, he currently works in private practice. Dr. Pyle is passionate about integrating cutting-edge technology, neuroscience, and cognitive behavioural therapy into innovative treatment approaches for stress and psychological well-being.

Dirk holds master’s degrees in finance, business management, and psychology, with postgraduate training in social science data analysis. He began his career as a psychologist and researcher before transitioning into management, consultancy, and international business, including founding a firm in Central Asia. From 2000 to 2023, he led ISW (later Pulso Group), growing it into a European leader in workplace well-being. Now EMEA Lead for Research & Insights at Telus Health, he previously served as EAEF President and received the EAPA Global Champion Award in 2019 for his contributions to Employee Assistance worldwide.

Yves has 38 years’ experience of giving support to persons and companies, of creation, development and management of companies. With a Master in Psycholgy, his expertise is in mediation, managerial consultancy, training, critical incident, mediation, implementation of local and international EAP. Now, with JUNEO he has developed expertise in blockchains technology. Yves was CEO of ICAS France & Belgium developing and coordinating ICAS for the international aspects for more than 17 years, Senior Vice President Member Experience Quality at Workplace Options during 6 years. He is Founder / Chairman at JUNEO for 4 years and is also in charge of the business development strategy. Yves has Active participation in a non-profit organisation in Belgium. He is an active member of the EAEF and he was a board member during 4 years.

Alex Coleman is a dedicated Senior Account Manager at EAP Expert Software, serving a global clientele with expertise and care. With a strong background in developing comprehensive training programs and leading educational seminars on EAP software and products, Alex excels in delivering valuable insights to EAPs. Alex plays a key role in driving success for both new and long-standing partners

Michael Dunn is the AVP Client Experience at EAP Expert Software, where he manages a portfolio of international accounts, consulting on best practices, training, software implementation, and product development. His EAP experience spans more than three decades, with expertise in client and business development. He began his career at Warren Shepell Consultants, working in client intake, data analysis, and management. He also provided consulting, coaching, and leadership development to HR professionals at Caliper Canada. Fluent in English and French, Michael holds a Degree in Political Science from Western University and an Honours Degree in French Studies from York University.

Brigitte Vaudolon, CEO of Pulso France since 2001, has a background as psychologist specialized in Well-being at work. She has more than 20 years of experience in the field of Psycho-Social Risks prevention including deployment of Employee Assistance Program projects. She is Vice-President of the FIRPS, the French Federation gathering the main professionals of PsychoSocial Risk prevention. She is the author of 2 books on EAP for HR professionals (published in 2005 & 2010) and a book for the general public on resilience (published in 2019). She also created a program online on resilience.

Juliane Barth is a Clinical Counsellor, certified Case Manager, and Business Coach, trained in Gestalt, TA, Systemic Coaching and Mental Conditioning. Together with her husband, Jan Willem Boshuizen, she founded one of Germany's leading EAP providers, Corrente AG, where she was responsible for operations from 2001 until 2016, when she took over the CEO position. She was one of the pioneers of EAP in Continental Europe, trained by Prof. Dale Masi, ICAS International, Optum Health, and Shepell FGI. Drawing from her own experiences, she has always had a special interest in supporting expatriates in managing culture shock and the challenges of daily life. Juliane currently lives in Germany and in the Netherlands, where she is part of an extensive Expat community.

Patience Osekre is a UK-trained Consultant Psychotherapist and Managing Director of Supreme Healthcare Management Services and EAP-Africa in Ghana. After years of working in leadership roles across public, private, and voluntary sectors in the UK, she relocated to Ghana to pioneer Employee Assistance and Wellbeing services in Sub-Saharan Africa. She leads a multidisciplinary team delivering 24/7 support across diverse industries. Patience is the visionary behind the EAP Africa Summit and ACE (Authentic Caring Employer) Awards, and is passionate about positioning mental health as a strategic business priority. She is a member of the Employee Assistance Council of Africa (EACA), the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). UK and Ghana Psychological Council, (GPC)

Natalie is the General Manager of Four Dimensions Consulting Limited in Hong Kong and a founding member of its predecessor, Employee Development Service. With over 30 years of experience in social services and management, she specializes in helping organizations build positive workplace cultures. Natalie designs tailored strategies to assess and enhance organizational well-being, aligning strengths with business goals. She also delivers staff development programs that promote positive psychology, engagement, and sustainable workplace growth.

Angel is a Clinical Psychologist and Case Manager at Four Dimensions Consulting Limited in Hong Kong. With multiple postgraduate degrees in psychology and social work, she provides psychotherapy and assessments for clients of all ages and cultural backgrounds. She focuses on workplace mental health, particularly employee well-being, depression, and anxiety. Angel also designs and delivers corporate training on mental health awareness, emotional resilience, and supporting employees in distress across diverse workplace settings.

Emelina is a results driven Chief Clinical Officer with a proven track record of success in leading global clinical teams. As a Chartered Counselling Psychologist at Spectrum.Life, she is dedicated to the development, delivery, and clinical governance of mental health services. Emelina’s leadership style is marked by a strong focus on strategic planning, service excellence, and continuous improvement. With a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, Emelina brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. She is an accredited member of both the British Psychological Society and the Psychological Society of Ireland, demonstrating her commitment to upholding the highest standards of professional practice. Emelina has a deep understanding of the complexities of mental health services and is experienced in managing clinical teams across a variety of settings. Emelina is also a Board Member of UK EAPA (UK Employee Assistance Professionals Association). Emelina’s passion for enhancing the wellbeing of individuals of all ages is evident in her work with adult, older adult, child, and adolescent mental health and neurodiversity services. She is dedicated to creating innovative and effective clinical programmes that make a meaningful impact on the lives of those she serves.

Dr. Kaoru Ichikawa is a globally well-known employee assistance consultant, researcher, and educator. She has a Ph.D. in Preventative Medicine and introduced the concept of EAP to global corporations in Japan and other Asia Pacific countries. She has been promoting employee wellbeing, EAP and resiliency as a core human resource and management strategy. She holds licenses in both USA and Japan, including, CEAP-I (Certified Employee Assistance Professionals – International), LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker-California), and Licensed Psychologist of Japan. Kaoru is a mother of 2 boys. Due to special needs of her older son, she travels between Tokyo and Los Angeles several times a year.

Ayumi Nishikawa is one of the outstanding female businesspersons in Japan. She is literally the first person to import EAP (internal EAP at Motorola Japan) to Japan and her inscrutably tenacious dedication to EAP industry in Japan received recognition by the government agencies and academic communities. Her current challenge is to integrate psychological and emotional support service for people into technology and social network in the most ethical manner.

Mohamed Lamaa is a licensed clinical psychologist and psychotherapist with 15 years of experience in mental health support, specializing in organizational psychology, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), crisis management, and trauma-informed care. As a clinical supervisor at Corporate Counseling Services (CCS), he ensures clinical excellence and the delivery of high-quality counseling, critical incident stress management, and capacity-building programs for managers in global organizations. Mohamed’s humanitarian work includes serving with the United Nations, where he supports international humanitarian organizations in crisis management. Fluent in Arabic and English, he provides culturally sensitive care and fostering resilience among diverse populations and organizations.

Azran is currently the founding CEO of Naluri, a new digital health technology company that helps its users manage chronic disease risks through behavioural and psychological coaching and digital tools to make it accessible and affordable. He is a professional speaker, author, and HRDF trainer. He was previously the CEO of iflix in Malaysia and its Group COO – a disruptive internet television video-on-demand service that was launched in Kuala Lumpur in May 2015, and now operates across over 30 markets across Asia, Middle East and Africa with 700 employees less than three years from launch. Previously he was the founding CEO of AirAsia X, the world’s pioneer low-cost long-haul airline. He led the start-up team that developed the business plan, raised capital, secured relevant licenses, and launched AirAsia X’s first flight in November 2007. AirAsia X since expanded from one aircraft to 26, employing over 2,500 staff, and approximately US$1 billion in annual revenue in 2014. In July 2013, AirAsia X became a public-listed company, the first ever long-haul LCC airline to do so. Azran was formerly an Associate Partner of McKinsey & Company, with its Asia Pacific Corporate Finance & Strategy Practice, and with the management consulting firm of Booz Allen & Hamilton.

At the heart of Solace Group is its founder, Prof. Dr. Prem Kumar Shanmugam, whose compassion and determination have inspired countless lives. A forerunner in addiction and mental health recovery, he has dedicated his life to helping others, embodying resilience and hands-on leadership. What started as a small rehab center with limited resources and societal stigma, has grown into a foremost mental healthcare ecosystem provider. In the early days, Dr. Prem’s tireless efforts laid a foundation of care and sustainability, enabling Solace to expand its impact while staying true to its mission. Through humility and perseverance, Dr. Prem not only built Solace but also helped break down barriers around mental health in the region.

Jean Lim is the founder and Managing Director of PowerVision EAP Inc. She has a master’s degree in Counseling from the Alliance Graduate School and has completed coursework towards a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from De La Salle University Manila. She is a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) and a Certified Solution Focused Practitioner. Before her career shift, she had over 20 years of experience as an information technology manager and consultant in various multinational corporations. Today, she finds fulfilment in combining her corporate experience with her counseling and coaching knowhow to manage PowerVision’s team of counselors and psychologists who deliver mental health services to various organizations in the Philippines.

Ann Reyes is the co-founder and Clinical Manager of PowerVision EAP Inc., holding a doctorate in Counseling from the Asia Graduate School of Theology. She works closely with counselors to ensure effective support and critical incident response through specialized training and clinical supervision. Before PowerVision, Ann partnered with NGOs and mission organizations, providing stress debriefing locally and internationally. Specializing in interpersonal and intrapersonal issues, she helps individuals achieve emotional well-being and adaptive relational and behavioral change. Trained in psychodynamic and integrative therapy, Ann supports clients with anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma, and leads workshops on relationship counseling and stress management.

Chief Executive Officer of EAP24 in Poland, with 15+ years’ experience in HR consulting and learning & development. Specializes in launching and scaling Employee Assistance Programs in emerging markets of CEE. Recognized for driving initiatives to reduce mental health stigma and normalize help-seeking behaviors across business environment. Proven track record of enhancing engagement through data-driven and culturally relevant support solutions.

With over 20 years of experience and multiple Masters degree in clinical practice, health management and business administration, Alex has been leading CCS’s international clinical department for over 15 years – from clinical quality assurance and clinical leadership to the development of new clinical products and studies. Alex is also in charge of CCS’s business development strategy.

Daria Fedorova is the CEO of Ponimau (Russia) and Empatia (Central Asia), leading platforms for corporate wellbeing that combine expert support with a flexible IT solution. With over eight years in the EAP and wellbeing space, she has helped companies across the region build cultures of care through holistic programs — from mental health and legal guidance to financial, lifestyle, and family support. The platforms now deliver over 100,000 individual support sessions annually, reflecting their scale and trust across diverse industries.

With a background in IT and change management, Kathy has 2 decades experience developing and operationalising business and leadership strategies, operating models, structures and frameworks, in 30 countries across Europe, Middle East and Africa. Kathy has 10 years corporate experience in the banking sector in 20 countries in Africa, and 8 years of experience in strategic consulting and leadership development. She is currently the Managing Director of Catalyst Evolution, a South African company specialising in organisational development and wellbeing.

Dr Badul holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, Postgraduate in Management of HIV and AIDS, Master of Philosophy (HIV/AIDS Management) and Doctor of Administration, and a certified Laughter Yoga Leader, with over 26 years of experience in the field of Employee Health and Wellness in the Public Service. Published Journal Article - Employee Health and Wellness Programmes: Critical Consideration for Supervisors, book chapter Supervisor training as an antecedent to employee health and wellness: The case of the Provincial Administration of KwaZulu-Natal in Public Administration Challenges Cases from Africa. She presented her academic research, practical knowledge, expertise and personal experience at various platforms government, private sector, faith-based sector and EAPA-SA. Her experience ranges from policy formulation, programme implementation and development, co-ordination level, research and strategic management advice. Dr Badul is extremely passionate about the holistic wellbeing of the employee and the successful reintegration of an employee into the workplace.

Radhi is an experienced people engagement professional with over 25 years in employee wellness and strategic consulting. She is the President of the EAPA-SA Board (2023) and has been a dedicated board member for 18 years. Radhi leads a Training and Coaching consultancy, serves as a People Engagement Strategic Consultant at HLC, and mentors MBA students at Henley Business School. She has published in the EAPA International Journal and contributed to a chapter on mental health in the workplace post-COVID. Her focus is on integrating wellness initiatives with technology to adapt to evolving work environments.

Taihyung is a specialist in Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and occupational psychology. After completing his Master’s degree in the U.K., he began his career at Dain Co., Ltd. and has provided EAP and HR consulting services across Korea. Since 2019, he has led Dain’s R&D team, delivering data-driven insights to support sustainable growth for organizations. He is currently a participating researcher in South Korea’s R&D project on Large Language Model-based psychological care. He presented IBM Wellness Advisor: Global Model and Korea Case Study (2016) and Addressing Direct and Indirect Impact of Trauma Caused by Disaster: Sewol-Ho Ferry Disaster in Korea (2017) at the APEAR Conference.

Jimmy Kim is a Senior Manager at DAIN EAP in Seoul, Korea, where he leads global partnerships and workplace well-being initiatives. With a background in professional counseling, he develops and delivers culturally tailored mental health programs for multinational organizations and spearheads cross-cultural projects that foster healthier, more connected teams. Fluent in both English and Korean, Jimmy excels at bridging communication gaps and creating meaningful connections across diverse workplaces. He holds a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from the U.S. and is passionate about helping individuals and organizations grow through empathy, collaboration, and inclusive support.

Christine Loos, with a background in business and international development, has dedicated her career to advancing workplace well-being across Europe. She led the international expansion of Human & Work, launching Stimulus Spain and supporting the growth of Stimulus Italy and Germany. Former President of the EAEF, she has actively contributed to the development of Employee Assistance in Europe. Now Director of Strategy Enablement EMEA at TELUS Health, she focuses on strategic alignment, fostering international synergies, and driving impact in workplace well-being at a global level.

Anca Coriiu leads Wellcast ROI’s activity across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the U.S., helping EAPs measure the return on investment of their services for various stakeholders. She works alongside Lou Servizio, creator of Wellcast ROI©, the universal ROI calculator, supporting EAP providers, health providers, employers, insurers, and government institutions in making data-driven health investments. With over seven years in global wellbeing—including four in EAP—she previously represented Lifeworks (now Telus Health) in Europe. An International Business economist dedicated to Health Economics, Anca is committed to advancing strategic health investments through evidence-based ROI analysis.

Betty is a licensed social worker with a Master’s in Social Work from National Taiwan University, specializing in counseling, crisis intervention, and professional supervision. She has presented at international forums, including the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and co-authored research on family law and social work. Her work is driven by a strong commitment to advancing holistic well-being in workplaces and organizational systems. She currently leads the EAP Direct Services Department at Double F (Focus & Forecast), supporting employee well-being across Taiwan.

Born in Ankara, Türkiye in 1976, I graduated from Ankara University's Faculty of Political Sciences with a degree in Business Administration. After a 21-year career in a public bank, my lifelong pursuit of lasting well-being led me to ReBrain technology. Witnessing its transformative impact, I became a certified ReBrain Pro Master and founded Crystal Clear Training and Consultancy LLC. As the founder and principal consultant, I now empower companies employing Gen Z, women leaders, schools, students, teachers, and parents. Fluent in Turkish and English, I work both in Türkiye and internationally, guiding individuals and groups towards emotional well-being through ReBrain tools, with a focus on creating a greater impact for youth and women.

Olena Bondar is the CEO of Wellbeing Company, a Ukrainian consultancy specialising in organisational wellbeing and workplace mental health. With a background in executive leadership across the Big Four, investment banking, and international development, Olena brings a uniquely strategic and human-centric perspective to mental health at work. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, her team has supported over 100 organizations — from businesses with 15 to 69,000 employees to charitable foundations, government institutions, and public sector organizations — in navigating extreme operational disruptions, including maintaining up to 90% team productivity during prolonged nationwide blackouts. Olena brings not only her expertise, but also the perspective of a nation enduring one of the most significant challenges of our time. The Ukrainian experience has become a real-time resilience trial for global wellbeing models, revealing with rare clarity what truly works — and what does not. She is also a contributing author for Forbes Ukraine and other national media outlets.

Bruce is the council director for Wellbeing Executives at The Conference Board. Previously he has been Head of Global Wellbeing at Rolls-Royce Aerospace and before that Global Head of Wellbeing at BT (British Telecom). He is a Fellow of the UK Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and an accredited psychotherapist with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Bruce has been working in the Employee Assistance field for over 40 years and his experience has included working with, internal, external and hybrid models of Employee Assistance Programmes. Currently he is providing Critical Incident responses for UK based EAP’s.

Psychotherapist and Supervisor in private practice in London, Rachael also heads the global clinical team at CIC, and has worked in the EAP sector for 15 years. She is clinical lead for the pro-active check in support sessions for those employees at risk of vicarious trauma, and is interested in ‘caring for the carers’. She will convene a round table talk for those interested to know more about how to support their network of counsellors and to embed reflective practice throughout the EAP journey. This session will be relevant to clinicians, case managers, managers and all those who support clinical work in the EAP sector.

Jessica Morgan is a dynamic clinical leader with over 15 years of expertise in psychology and healthcare operations. As Clinical Director of Service Delivery Operations and Infrastructure at Spectrum.Life, Jessica is spearheading innovative clinical service delivery across the UK and Ireland, while also playing a pivotal role in developing Spectrum.Life’s global EAP provision. Prior to joining Spectrum.Life, Jessica spent 14 years at Workplace Options, ultimately serving as Vice President of Service Delivery, EMEA, where she honed her expertise in strategic leadership and team management. Jessica began her career as a psychologist in Montreal, holding a Master’s in Counselling Psychology as well as a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology from McGill University. Her international journey across Canada and the UK, underpinned by a passion for mental health, reflects a deep commitment to advancing healthcare and operational excellence.

Nancy Board is a globally recognized leader in corporate health, wellbeing, mental health, and employee assistance programs (EAP). Her career has spanned the globe, and in the Asia-Pacific region alone, she built an extensive behavioral health provider network across more than 30 countries. Known for her cultural competence and crisis response leadership, Nancy has supported organizations through the aftermath of workplace violence and major disasters—including the 2011 Tokyo earthquake. She has also served as a trusted advisor to senior executives and labor relations officials at the U.S. Postal Service, including the (then) Postmaster General. Today, Nancy empowers corporate leaders to better understand, identify, and support the mental wellbeing of their employees—helping reduce harm and mitigate organizational risk. In 2016, Nancy co-founded Global Women 4 Wellbeing (GW4W), an organization dedicated to advancing gender, health, and pay equity. She is a passionate advocate for creating equitable, healthy, and respectful workplaces where all women can thrive.

Penelope "Penni" Perri, MSW, CEAP is a Life and Leadership Coach who blends her background in counseling, healthcare, and Employee Assistance Program leadership with evidence-based coaching to help individuals, groups, and teams transform and thrive. Through her Core Strength program, Penni empowers busy professionals and leaders to break free from limiting patterns, prevent burnout in themselves and their teams, reconnect with their passion and joy, and cultivate authentic, heart-centered leadership. Penni lives in the Northeastern United States, where when she's not coaching or teaching, you'll find her paddleboarding, hiking, or lost in the pages of a book.