Keynote Speakers and Panelists
Get to know our inspiring and pioneering keynote speakers and panelists at WCSS 2025!
Raj Bhattacharjee
Holistic Addiction Psychoterapist
Raj Bhattacharjee is the founder and Director of Clinical Services at Radiant Mind Recovery, a holistic addiction treatment program that looks at addiction treatment from a new angle.
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As a psychotherapist who works with addiction, Raj noticed how our current addiction treatment practices are not always enough. He saw how addiction treatment was often missing not only the spiritual elements but also the nutritional and stress management knowledge. Without these building blocks, Raj saw how it can be hard for people to build strong new habits to support a sober life.
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Through Radiant Mind Recovery, Raj and his team offer people holistic addiction treatment. Their programs address not only trauma but also how clients can use things like breathwork, cold plunging and nutrition as tools on their recovery journey.
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How can we utilize cold plunging in addiction treatment?
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What role does nutrition play in addiction recovery?
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Why should holistic practices, such as breathwork and cold plunging, be integrated more into addiction treatment?
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As a keynote speaker, Raj bridges together holistic health practices and addiction treatment. In his keynotes, Raj provides us a fresh window through which he inspires people to look at addiction - and healing.
Alan
jalasjaa
Sauna Expert & Sauna Culture Advocate
​​Alan Jalasjaa is the founder of Kivia, a website and podcast dedicated to all things sauna culture. Alan has also been named as Sauna Ambassador for Sauna from Finland, a non-profit organization dedicated to spread sauna expertise and creating the best sauna experience in the world!
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For the past five years, Alan has been studying sauna culture across Canada and the US. He has dove deep into the culture and local rituals, working together with saunapreneurs and business owners.
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During his travels, Alan has found interesting data on the current state of sauna in North America. Moreover, through his work, Alan has a clear view on the future of sauna business and culture in the US and Canada.
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What is the essence of sauna culture in North America?
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How can sauna drive growth also on other industries?​
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What are the next steps for creating a thriving sauna culture and getting new people excited about sauna?
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Linda
Helistö
Marketing Entrepreneur and Sauna Lover
Linda Helistö is a Marketing Entrepreneur and Holistic Business Coach with a background in IT Startups and Sales. As the Founder and Creative Director of Balthén, Linda combines her love for storytelling, art and business that truly moves the needle.
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Born and raised in Finland, sauna has been an integral part of her life since childhood. However, after moving to Canada, she found how many lodges, spas and wellness brands wanted to be a part of the sauna movement.​
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However, the authentic story in marketing was still missing. And as a result, the marketing really didn't stand out. Or they hadn't entered the market at all.
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How can we create marketing in the sauna and wellness space that moves people?
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What is the essence of sauna marketing that stands out?​​​
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As a keynote speaker and panelist, Linda brings concrete marketing tools that stand out and inspire the listener to look at sauna and marketing from a new perspective.
Viki
Csanicz
Founder of Ærth Saunas
Viktoria Csanicz is the visionary behind Ærth Saunas, an inspiring outdoor sauna space in the heart of Victoria.
Combining over 15 years of entrepreneurial experience with a deep passion for holistic wellness, she has created a unique space that blends nature, community, and the ancient art of sauna in the downtown core of the city.
Currently training as a Wim Hof instructor and sauna master, Viktoria leads transformative sauna ceremonies, guiding participants on journeys of breathwork, cold immersion, and mindful heat therapy.
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​How to build a sauna business that has the potential to scale - and to lead social change?
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What does responsible leadership in a booming industry look like?
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Why the legacy of a sauna business starts with architecture and design?
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How can sauna entrepreneurs and hotels work together for better business?
Viki's mission is to make healing through the power of sauna accessible to all. In her keynotes, Viki inspires sauna entrepreneurs, wellness and holistic health enthusiasts and hospitality industry leaders to look at sauna differently - and build businesses that can carry a legacy that lasts!
Glenn
Auerbach
Founder of Sauna Times, Author, Sauna Evangelist
Glenn Auerbach has been a sauna evangelist for over 40 years. In 2008 he started the website SaunaTimes as a go-to-source for sauna building and sauna culture.
In 2016, he created the podcast Sauna Talk, now with over 100 episodes. Glenn wrote the book: “Sauna Build, From Start to Finnish” which has helped thousands build their own sauna.
He is a founding board member of the Sauna Research Institute and Board Treasurer for Sauna-Aid.
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Glenn is joining one of the panel discussions on sauna building, bringing decades of hands-on knowledge to the conversation and sharing sauna building best practices.
“My best days are usually sauna days. And thankfully, a lot of my days are sauna days.”
Aleksei Koniukhov
Steam Artist and
Whisking Master
Aleksei is a sauna enthusiast who has inherited the best Russian sauna tradition.
He has mastered the art of steam manipulation across diverse sauna environments. Now, he crafts a unique sauna experience—whisk, steam, and aroma, perfectly blended.
Come and join Aleksei for group sauna therapy or one-on-one Venik magic—and elevate your sauna experience at the WCSS!
Tea Lindberg
Sauna Experience Service Designer, Entrepreneur, and Digital Sauna Services Pioneer
Tea Lindberg is a leading sauna entrepreneur and service designer who combines traditional Finnish sauna culture with modern digital solutions.
She owns and manages over ten saunas in the Helsinki area in Finland and has extensive expertise in operating, designing, renovating, and constructing saunas, ensuring both functionality and exceptional experiences.
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As the founder of Saunat.fi and visitsauna.com, Tea has revolutionized sauna ticket sales and private sauna bookings. These platforms feature dozens of saunas across Finland and are expanding internationally as global interest in saunas continues to grow.
Tea’s operations span the entire sauna experience – from discoverability to memorable moments and thoughtful after-sales engagement.
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With her holistic approach and deep understanding of sauna construction, operations, and customer experience, Tea Lindberg is at the forefront of delivering high-quality sauna services and promoting the global rise of sauna culture.
Niilo Kervinen
Business Development and Key Account Management, Visitsauna.com, Saunat.fi
Niilo is a driving force behind Visitsauna.com, the international sauna ecosystem connecting sauna owners, industry buyers and sellers, and enthusiasts worldwide.
With a focus on Business Development and Key Account Management for both Visitsauna.com and the Finnish domestic sauna booking site Saunat.fi, Niilo supports sauna partners by enhancing booking systems and delivering effective sales tools.
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A true champion of service, Niilo ensures partners succeed by providing hands-on training, regular updates, and tailored support to maximize the potential of their sauna operations.
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On the international front, Niilo is passionate about building the future of sauna travel. He collaborates with entrepreneurs to optimize services and create seamless sauna paths for consumers globally, fostering the growth of sauna culture both locally and internationally.
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With over a decade of experience as a travel industry entrepreneur and a deep understanding of the Japanese market, Niilo is uniquely positioned to bridge cultures and innovate in the sauna industry.
If you're interested in exploring how to grow this vibrant ecosystem, Niilo is eager to connect and share his vision.
ionut aron
MF; Associate Director at UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest
Ionut Aron is a seasoned forestry expert and a sauna lover who shares about his project of building Loon Lake's first sauna. The same one that will be officially opened during the summit!
At the summit, Ionut will share his personal journey of designing and building a sauna from the start, the challenges as well as learnings, reflecting the project's deep connection to the Malcolm Knapp research forest and commitment to sustainability and education.
Outside his professional endeavours, Ionut enjoys mountain biking, coffee roasting, and, of course, relaxing in saunas—a passion that brings authenticity and insight to his presentation.
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The coffee served at WCSS is personally roasted and ground by Ionut. This is truly something special!