A Look Inside WELL/BEINGS’s ‘Bound by Nature’ Gala
2 min readOn November 6, cultural leaders, philanthropists, and conservation advocates braved the rain in New York City for a worthy cause. That evening, WELL/BEINGS hosted its annual benefit dinner at Hearst Tower, bringing guests together to support conservation efforts in the most vital and vulnerable ecosystems across the Caribbean and the Bolivian Amazon.
The event, titled “Bound by Nature” this year, was hosted by actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Oliver Trevena, and presented by the nonprofit’s co-founders Amanda Hearst Rønning and Breanna Schultz. Throughout the night, attendees enjoyed live music, conservation storytelling, an exclusive auction of fine art, jewelry, and luxury experiences, as well as a specially curated culinary experience by celebrity chef Eduardo Garcia.
As nods to the marine and terrestrial environments, the sea of guests wore shades of blue and green, respectively.
The benefit sought to raise funds toward more than $800,000 in programmatic commitments WELL/BEINGS has made to 15 conservation partners for 2026 and 2027. The selected organizations, which include local and underserved groups, are working to protect wildlife, restore critical habitats, and strengthen communities in targeted areas.
During her opening remarks, Hearst Rønning underscored the importance of investing in the people closest to the ecosystems in need of protection: “That is why we support and amplify local leaders,” she said. “They know what needs to be done. Too often, what stands between them and doing it is support and funding.”
Schultz echoed that sentiment, reminding attendees of the lasting impact of their contributions: “Our partners fight every day to protect what we love. Tonight, we can give them the resources to keep going…what we save now is what the next generation will inherit.”
Since its founding, WELL/BEINGS has invested more than $3 million in conservation. The organization also operates under a 100 percent donation model, with its co-founders and Board of Directors separately covering core operating expenses so that public donations go directly toward the mission at hand.
The evening also marked the launch of the Caribbean Bioregional Hub, a new initiative connecting nine partner organizations across the region to strengthen collaboration and advance coordinated conservation efforts. The sky is the limit!
Ecleen Luzmila Caraballo is the weekend editor at ELLE who covers celebrity and culture news. She was previously a senior editor at Complex and has contributed to other publications including GQ and Nylon. Born and raised in New York City to Panamanian parents, she’ll take book recs in English, Spanish (and soon, German). Her interests include music, fashion, beauty, film, earth science, and the study of love. On her time off, you can find her with loved ones at an odd-hour movie showtime, baking, or sitting in silence near a high-fidelity sound system.