Contributors

Meet the minds that are lending their expertise to our inspired days together.

Esther Perel

There is no better person to explore the complexities of humanity than our keynote speaker, psychotherapist Esther Perel. As one of today’s most insightful and original voices on modern relationships, Esther’s work is rooted in the core belief that the quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives. She’ll draw from her experience consulting Fortune 500 companies around the world, her two podcasts ‘Where Should we Begin’ and ‘How’s Work’, and her bestselling book ‘Mating in Captivity’, to deliver a powerful talk that will challenge and inspire what it takes to build and sustain thriving relationships.

Fluent in a staggering nine languages, Esther is an unparalleled storyteller. Having practiced as a couples’ psychotherapist for more than 35 years, her work navigates many intersecting themes, beyond those found in romantic contexts: cultural and religious identity, tradition and modernity, and our conflicting quests for love, security, adventure, and freedom. Esther’s unending capacity for resilience and empathy has helped people all over the world to feel understood and to be motivated to change. Expect a captivating speech that will move you for many years to come, where Esther will ask poignant questions, drive important dialogue, and use humor, joy, and discovery to incite connection.

Our 2023 lineup of moderators, panelists and workshop facilitators

Gisela Williams

Gisela Williams is a contributing editor at New York Times T Magazine and Travel & Leisure, and one of our panel moderators. She pens a travel column for Harper’s Bazaar US and just launched a travel and culture newsletter called The W Report. She often writes about vanguard places and projects where culture, design, community, and sustainability meet. Originally from New England, she has lived in Europe for two decades, and is currently based in Berlin, Germany with her family.

Thierry Teyssier

French hotelier Thierry Teyssier is a visionary on a mission with his pioneering project 700’000 Heures. The seminal idea for ephemeral and experiential travel has transformed countless local communities for the good, protecting natural heritage and regenerating surrounding ecosystems. 700’000 Heures is the sum of Thierry’s twenty years of entrepreneurial experience in hospitality, where has been prized for his commitment to both local communities and the environment.

Tom Marchant

Tom Marchant is co-founder of the award-winning luxury travel company Black Tomato. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for travel from a young age, Tom noticed a gap in the travel market for trips centered around experiences, rather than destinations. A leading authority in the travel industry, Black Tomato’s travel products reflect the company’s unique ability to uncover rare ways to experience destinations. Previously named ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’, Tom regularly writes and speaks on trends and the future.

Jim McPartlin

Jim McPartlin, one of our panel moderators, is an author, coach, and consultant with over three decades of leadership experience across the luxury hotel industry. Beyond his background at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Walt Disney Company, W Hotels Worldwide, and Forbes Travel Guide, Jim has been a certified teacher in the Enneagram for over 25 years—and uses this model of personality with teams as a tool to develop emotional intelligence individually and collectively, to enhance both the staff and guest experience.

Kalia Konstantinidou

The Athens-born hotelier Kalia Konstantinidou has had a life-long career in hospitality, operating as Vice-President of the Empiria Group to oversee a collection of unique hotels across the Greek Islands. Kalia is an avid explorer of life, a positive thinker, a compassionate friend, driven by a desire to create meaningful connections and to discover joy. She finds purpose in introducing guests to her beloved Cycladic way of life and creating awareness for a more sustainable, sincere kind of travel.

ShaNon Bobinger

ShaNon Bobinger is a systemic life coach, presenter, podcast guest, and keynote speaker, consulting organizations and institutions. The focal point of her work is societal change, with the aim of communicating inclusively to foster multiple perspectives and interactive dialogue. With speaker contributions for Nike, Roots Berlin, and Amnesty International among others, ShaNon pursues a holistic approach and focuses on personal development within an intercultural context.

Yousef Hammoudah

Yousef Hammoudah is the founding Executive Director of Fotografiska Berlin, the German outpost for contemporary photography, art, and culture. He has held global leadership roles at Adidas, Viacom, and Interbrand among others, and is known for his work in company building, marketing innovation, and business development, as well as being a published author. With almost three decades in the music, fashion, sport, and cultural industries, Yousef is an acclaimed expert in purpose-led cultural entrepreneurialism.

Gary Abela

Gary Abela is the cofounder of Codepan, a boutique AI agency and AI-canvasing platform. He has spent a decade aiding clients like PWC, Daimler, T-Systems, and BCG in their pursuit of AI-driven solutions for automation. With roots in a family-run London hotel, Gary’s path led to 15 years in investment banking before a move to Berlin sparked his interest in AI. Now, he embraces simplicity, managing a quiet countryside retreat and a humble pop-up restaurant Hof-Fleith.

Robin Torres Gouzerh

Robin Torres Gouzerh is a cultural researcher, ethnographer, and insights analyst. He is Senior Futures Advisor at SOON Future Studies, a London-based think tank focused on human insights. With a background in political science, trend forecasting, and communication strategy, Robin specializes in advising organizations with cultural intelligence and qualitative analysis. SOON Futures collaborated with Design Hotels to create the annual Trend Report titled Future Forecast, exploring six key trends shaping the travel, hotel, and hospitality industries for 2024 and beyond.

Daria Hvizdalova

Daria Hvizdalova is an artificial intelligence specialist and lecturer, and passionate about two things: education and technology. She is co-founder of industrial software company Mainware, and a former CEO of the innovative programming non-profit institute 42 Prague. She currently works on the intersection of education and artificial intelligence and teaches “Artificial intelligence in business processes” at the European School of Business and Management. Daria was featured in the Forbes 30 under 30 in 2023.