Top industry leaders were honoured at the Global Wellness Summit held last week at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida.

The Global Wellness Institute named Steve Nygren, founder of wellness community Serenbe, as Leader in Innovation for his work in creating the Georgia-based community, in the US. “It’s taken a lot of people to bring Serenbe forward,” said Nygren, as he accepted the award.

Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses Resorts, was named Leader in Sustainability. In accepting the award, Jacobs spoke about the hospitality chain's initiative to be 100 per cent plastic-free by 2021. “For me, it’s about wellness,” said Jacobs.

Julie Bach, executive director of Wellness for Cancer, was named Leading Woman in Wellness. “I don’t think I could be more humbled or filled with joy,” said Bach. “I believe that I’ve found my calling.”

Renee Moorefield, CEO of Wisdom Works Group, was named Leader in Workplace Wellness. “I think when we’re well, we’re wiser,” she said as she accepted the award.

And filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg was given the Debra Simon Award for Furthering Mental Wellbeing, for his work creating films of nature, which have been incorporated in everything from spas to hospital rooms.

“Every time you look at nature, it brings you back to wellness,” said Schwartzberg. “Nature has been my path, my teacher.”