Heather Kolakowski is a Senior Lecturer in Food and Beverage Management at the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration and Associate Director for the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures. She teaches several food and beverage courses, including Restaurant Management and Nonprofit Social Enterprise and Food Justice. Heather is also the faculty advisor for Hotel Ezra Cornell (HEC), the student-run hospitality showcase conference which allows students the opportunity to put theory into practice while taking on leadership responsibilities each spring. She is the recipient of the 2017 Kaplan Family Distinguished Faculty Fellowship for her dedication to service learning.
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The Pursuit of Well-Being
Trends, Behaviors, and Strategies for the Wellness Industry
Wednesday, June 03, 2026, 1pm
EDT
Event Overview
This Keynote will share highlights from the WELLSurvey™, a national survey exploring how U.S. adults understand and think about “well‑being.” The survey set out to break down the concept of well‑being and consider what these findings mean for resorts, retreats, spas, supplement brands, and medical therapy providers when promoting their products and services.
WELLSurvey™ also looked at how the meaning of well‑being aligns with the attitudes, beliefs, preferences, and behaviors of people who are interested in healthier lifestyles. The results offer a view into how these factors connect — and where they don’t — providing useful insights for anyone involved in wellness‑related industries or communications.
This event is sponsored by the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures, the first academic center in the U.S. to combine hospitality, environmental design, and health policy and management.
WELLSurvey™ also looked at how the meaning of well‑being aligns with the attitudes, beliefs, preferences, and behaviors of people who are interested in healthier lifestyles. The results offer a view into how these factors connect — and where they don’t — providing useful insights for anyone involved in wellness‑related industries or communications.
This event is sponsored by the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures, the first academic center in the U.S. to combine hospitality, environmental design, and health policy and management.
What You'll Learn
- How consumers understand and engage with the concept of well‑being
- The demographic, psychographic, and behavioral profiles of adults pursuing well‑being
- Guidance for industry providers on designing and positioning products, services, and experiences to meet the preferences of consumers seeking a state of well‑being
Speakers
Heather Kolakowski
Executive Director
Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures
Peter C. Yesawich, Ph.D., ’76
Chairman
Yesawich Holding, LLC
Peter C. Yesawich (B.S. ’72, M.S. ’74, Ph.D. ‘76) is Chairman of Yesawich Holding, LLC; Chairman of Hospitable Healthcare Partners, LLC; and co-founder of MMGY Global, Inc. He has directed the development of marketing programs for some of the travel industry’s most popular brands and destinations across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Dr. Yesawich also served for 10 years as Chief Growth Officer of Cancer Treatment Centers of America (now part of City of Hope), a national network of specialty hospitals and clinics treating adults with complex or advanced-stage cancer.
An acknowledged expert in service marketing, Dr. Yesawich has been a frequent commentator on marketing trends in both national and international media. His most recent book, “Hospitable Healthcare: Just What the Patient Ordered!,” reveals how healthcare providers can enhance the patient experience through the adoption of hospitality principles.
Kevin M. Kelly is an executive leader and entrepreneur in health, wellness, sustainability, and real estate, with nearly 35 years of experience as both an owner/operator and senior executive. His career includes founding and leading Civano and CIVANA, co-owning and operating Two Bunch Palms, and serving in executive leadership roles at Canyon Ranch and Sensei.
Kevin began his career in community organizing, shaping a longstanding focus on well-being, sustainability, and socially driven development. His work spans wellness hospitality, product and program development, and real estate development, with expertise in brand strategy, financial management, sustainable building, and the integration of wellness technologies. Kevin has also contributed to original research and published commentary on consumer trends in well-being, wellness behavior, and longevity.
As CEO of Sensei, Kevin led the reorganization and launch of the luxury, evidence-led wellness company. He was also a founding member and CEO of CIVANA and previously co-owned and led Two Bunch Palms, repositioning it into one of North America’s first carbon-neutral wellness resorts while improving operating performance. Earlier, Kevin served as President and Chief Branding Officer of Canyon Ranch during a period of significant growth.
Through Civano Advisory Services, which he has led since 1991, Kevin has advised a broad range of wellness, hospitality, and technology companies, including work with a PBM-focused medical device manufacturer. His work integrates science, experience, data, and consumer engagement across brand, program, and operational strategy. Kevin has also been involved in the development of over 2,000 residential units, four resorts, and green commercial projects, as well as pioneering sustainable master-planned communities and early healthy housing initiatives in the United States.
Kevin’s work has been recognized by the White House, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Congress for the New Urbanism, and the Global Wellness Summit. He began his career as a VISTA volunteer and community organizer, as well as in nonprofit community development addressing social and economic disparities. Kevin lives in Los Angeles, California.
Heather Kolakowski
Executive Director
Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures
Heather Kolakowski is a Senior Lecturer in Food and Beverage Management at the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration and Associate Director for the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures. She teaches several food and beverage courses, including Restaurant Management and Nonprofit Social Enterprise and Food Justice. Heather is also the faculty advisor for Hotel Ezra Cornell (HEC), the student-run hospitality showcase conference which allows students the opportunity to put theory into practice while taking on leadership responsibilities each spring. She is the recipient of the 2017 Kaplan Family Distinguished Faculty Fellowship for her dedication to service learning.
Peter C. Yesawich, Ph.D., ’76
Chairman
Yesawich Holding, LLC
Peter C. Yesawich (B.S. ’72, M.S. ’74, Ph.D. ‘76) is Chairman of Yesawich Holding, LLC; Chairman of Hospitable Healthcare Partners, LLC; and co-founder of MMGY Global, Inc. He has directed the development of marketing programs for some of the travel industry’s most popular brands and destinations across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Dr. Yesawich also served for 10 years as Chief Growth Officer of Cancer Treatment Centers of America (now part of City of Hope), a national network of specialty hospitals and clinics treating adults with complex or advanced-stage cancer.
An acknowledged expert in service marketing, Dr. Yesawich has been a frequent commentator on marketing trends in both national and international media. His most recent book, “Hospitable Healthcare: Just What the Patient Ordered!,” reveals how healthcare providers can enhance the patient experience through the adoption of hospitality principles.
Kevin M. Kelly is an executive leader and entrepreneur in health, wellness, sustainability, and real estate, with nearly 35 years of experience as both an owner/operator and senior executive. His career includes founding and leading Civano and CIVANA, co-owning and operating Two Bunch Palms, and serving in executive leadership roles at Canyon Ranch and Sensei.
Kevin began his career in community organizing, shaping a longstanding focus on well-being, sustainability, and socially driven development. His work spans wellness hospitality, product and program development, and real estate development, with expertise in brand strategy, financial management, sustainable building, and the integration of wellness technologies. Kevin has also contributed to original research and published commentary on consumer trends in well-being, wellness behavior, and longevity.
As CEO of Sensei, Kevin led the reorganization and launch of the luxury, evidence-led wellness company. He was also a founding member and CEO of CIVANA and previously co-owned and led Two Bunch Palms, repositioning it into one of North America’s first carbon-neutral wellness resorts while improving operating performance. Earlier, Kevin served as President and Chief Branding Officer of Canyon Ranch during a period of significant growth.
Through Civano Advisory Services, which he has led since 1991, Kevin has advised a broad range of wellness, hospitality, and technology companies, including work with a PBM-focused medical device manufacturer. His work integrates science, experience, data, and consumer engagement across brand, program, and operational strategy. Kevin has also been involved in the development of over 2,000 residential units, four resorts, and green commercial projects, as well as pioneering sustainable master-planned communities and early healthy housing initiatives in the United States.
Kevin’s work has been recognized by the White House, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Congress for the New Urbanism, and the Global Wellness Summit. He began his career as a VISTA volunteer and community organizer, as well as in nonprofit community development addressing social and economic disparities. Kevin lives in Los Angeles, California.
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