Genesis Greater Good is honored to spotlight Andrea Bartzen—a true catalyst for global change. In a world where creativity and innovation collide, Bartzen, biotech visionary and proud member of the Genesis Business Humanity Club, is championing change on a global scale. As the founder of The Global Passion Projects, Bartzen has established a transformative platform that connects legacy families and high-net-worth investors with trailblazing scientists and entrepreneurs to address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.
Art Bio Miami: A Celebration of Hope and Innovation
During the 2024 Art Basel week in Miami, Bartzen’s vision came to life through the inaugural Art Bio Gala. Hosted by iconic artist Romero Britto at the exclusive Britto Palace, the gala was more than an event—it was a movement uniting art, science, and philanthropy. Luminaries from Silicon Valley, Miami’s investment community, and philanthropic circles gathered to champion solutions for critical global challenges.
The evening’s highlights included a heartwarming fashion show featuring young cancer survivors proudly dressed as their future selves—an ode to hope and the limitless possibilities of life. This celebration also showcased groundbreaking innovations funded through Bartzen’s foundation, reinforcing her commitment to blending passion with tangible impact.
Pioneering Partnerships and Breakthroughs
At the heart of The Global Passion Projects is its dedication to catalyzing innovation in areas like cancer, Alzheimer’s, mental health, and preventive diagnostics. The foundation’s partnerships exemplify its mission:
Wellvii™ and VitalDetect®: Revolutionizing rural healthcare with non-invasive monitoring tools that make remote patient care accessible.
DermaSensor: An AI-powered handheld device democratizing early skin cancer detection, recognized as one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2024.
Humaniti Foundation: A U.S. and Canadian foundation that is combining the vibrant forces of entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration to solve the world’s most monumental challenges, focusing on health, water, and food relief efforts around the world.
National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: Spearheading collaborative research initiatives to combat childhood cancer with less toxic, more effective treatments.
Through these collaborations, Bartzen’s foundation is not just funding solutions—it’s fostering a culture of hope and transformation.
From Biotech to Global Impact
Bartzen’s journey from biotech leader to global changemaker reflects her passion for driving meaningful innovation. The Global Passion Projects inaugural event, the Hamptons Garden Gala, held on Thursday, August 29, 2024, served as a pivotal moment, kickstarting a series of impactful initiatives and collaborations. This event brought together thought leaders, innovators, and philanthropists to strategize on pressing health issues, setting the foundation for all future projects and events. “Our mission is to merge philanthropy with impact investing to accelerate innovation,” she shares. By bringing together legacy families and cutting-edge thinkers, Bartzen and her team create ripple effects that extend far beyond the communities they serve.
Looking to the Future
The success of Art Bio Miami sets the stage for a series of high-profile events in 2025, including gatherings in Palm Beach, New York City, London, and the Middle East. Each event promises to continue fostering collaboration and driving solutions that align with the values of the Genesis Business Humanity Club: impact, progress, and humanity.
Andrea Bartzen’s work through The Global Passion Projects and her involvement with Art Bio Miami showcases the power of connecting creativity, science, and philanthropy. Together with the Genesis Business Humanity Club, she is paving the way for a brighter, healthier, and more hopeful future.
Join the Movement For more information on The Global Passion Projects or to explore partnership opportunities, visit globalpassionprojects.com.
At the heart of this year’s Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation’s One-Year Memorial Gala, Solange Pot, a celebrated writer and Holocaust educator, will unveil beautiful handcrafted Legacy Boxes—a tribute to resilience, memory, and interfaith understanding. Flying in from Belgium for the November 21 event in Miami, Solange will present the largest of these exquisite pieces for auction and another four to the Megera children, honoring their loss and the enduring strength of their family.
A Craft Rooted in Memory
Solange Pot’s Legacy Boxes are more than mere objects. Crafted by a craftsman with precision and rich symbolism, they feature intricate marquetry, utilizing thuya wood and embellished with the Star of David—a motif symbolizing hope and unity. These boxes serve as vessels of remembrance, bridging past and present. Solange’s inspiration stems from her family’s own stories during the Holocaust, and she has dedicated her life to educating people of all faiths about the atrocities of that era.
Solange has written a novel about this story, which will be published in 2025.
Crafted according to her vision, the legacy boxes are embodiments of history. The thuya wood, carefully chosen for its imperfections, mirrors the journey of healing—transforming pain into beauty.
Educating Through Art
Solange has collaborated with institutions such as Yad Vashem, donating critical Holocaust-era artifacts to ensure that the stories of survivors are preserved for future generations. Her mission extends beyond education—her project fosters community dialogue and understanding. In a world fraught with division, craftsmanship can inspire unity and reflection.
The boxes are framed with the “golden section,” a divine ratio said to imprint harmony on the human spirit. These Legacy Boxes, each bearing unique inscriptions and designs, will now carry the stories of the Megera children, creating a tangible connection to their past and a source of strength for their future.
“Each box is the faithful reproduction of an ancient box, steeped in history,” Solange said. “The original was entrusted to my grandparents by a couple of Jewish friends who were forced to leave Belgium during the Second World War. Unfortunately, the couple never returned. My grandparents, then my parents, carefully preserved their property.”
As fate would have it, the original box was returned to the Community through her marriage. Her children were raised in the traditions of Judaism, and when my eldest was doing his Bar Mitzvah, she entrusted him with the box with the recommendation to keep it preciously and then pass it on to his descendants in memory of the missing.
“This precious object has become a material support of memory, the symbol of the survival and durability of the Jewish people,” Solange said. “May many pass this torch on to their children, who will in turn pass it on to future generations, creating a chain of memory that is both community and family. May these boxes be a guardian of family history, and World History.
A Gift for the Future
At the gala, these Legacy Boxes will commemorate the Megera family’s story and symbolize the ongoing commitment of Genesis Friends for Life to support those affected by the tragedy. Solange’s dedication to weaving art, memory, and education into these creations aligns perfectly with the foundation’s mission to inspire healing and resilience.
As attendees gather to celebrate life and build hope, the presentation of these Legacy Boxes will remind all present of the enduring power of memory—and the profound impact of a single act of kindness.
Solange Pot’s contribution to the Genesis Memorial Gala is not just a gift; it is a call to action, never to forget, and continually educate.
ORGCAS is a non-profit organization founded by women with diverse expertise, united by their passion for the ocean and dedication to its preservation. They are currently conducting programs to create change and provide solutions to issues in the ecosystem, its coasts, and its communities, working with four primary conservation strategies: science, education, tourism, and communication.
The story of ORGCAS began at a restaurant table in La Paz. By coincidence, the future team members were all there that night. Although they did not know each other, they shared a lot in common, and without knowing it, a great journey awaited them together.
“We all had our story with the ocean, but that night in La Paz,” said director Porfiria Gómez, “each of us, from different backgrounds, decided to live and build our careers around the ocean, its protection, and its care.”
After a long conversation and reflection, they decided to join forces and start working together to make their dreams come true. Without knowing each other but trusting in their shared values and passion, they embarked on a journey to be stewards of the seas, pooling their efforts in their beloved Mexico.
“We realized soon that we needed more hands; the ocean needs so much help, so more people came on board, and before long, a team of women from different professions was formed, all with the passion and enthusiasm to act on behalf of the sea, its coasts, and its people,” Gómez explained.
One of ORGCAS’ main projects is Proyecto Tiburón, which is dedicated to generating more sustainable economic activities for shark fishermen in the Agua Amarga community. The first phase involves training fishermen to provide services to tourists, supporting them with planning, materials, equipment, and necessary training. As part of the ongoing Project Tiburón, they have worked continuously with the fishermen, implementing a model of conscious tourism that not only aims to offer a sustainable economic alternative but also seeks to improve the fishermen’s quality of life.
Proyecto Tiburón aims to be a replicable platform for economic transition in other localities. By building a solid and adaptable platform, the organization has presented a successful model for implementing sustainable solutions that could be applied globally. With the willingness to adapt the experience and knowledge honed by ORGCAS to the specific needs of individual communities, marine conservation and economic development can be shared for the benefit of all.
They aim to extend their efforts further by providing opportunities for involvement through both tourism expeditions and volunteer programs. Designed to vary in terms of duration, focus areas, and prerequisite experience, these programs are developed to engage a diverse audience through inclusive and accessible spaces. By offering a variety of openings, they hope that a wider audience will witness and engage with marine conservation going forward.
Other objectives include protecting the area through conservation components, creating a management plan for tourism, developing science and research initiatives to understand the needs and status of the area, and improving the communication network between communities and socializing the information generated.
In an article in Vogue magazine, Porfiria Gómez said, “Our purpose is to conserve and protect, to analyze problems, and look for solutions. The shark is a species in collapse.”
Initially, many locals viewed researchers with suspicion and were reluctant to cooperate with ORGCAS. After a lengthy dialogue, they were able to work out a solution that ensures the sustainability of both the sharks and the families in the area.
“Tourism is a great alternative to bring people into this project,” says Gómez. “Today, whoever is not aware that the sea is threatened for various reasons is part of the problem. We need to be aware that the sea needs us and that there are things we can all do.” Proyecto Tiburón has obtained funds to donate at least two pangas to the fishermen of this community to help them transition to an economy based on sustainable tourism.
Currently, at least 36 percent of the 1,200 species of sharks and rays are at risk of extinction, according to World Wild Fund (WWF) data.
Among the ORGCAS women, a focus on data is as important as their actions. “Conservation needs trained people,” says Gómez, whose family background is in marine conservation. “Sharks are a keystone species that play an important role in their ecosystem; they keep other species in balance,” she says.
Warnings about the dangers that sharks face are far from new, with the scientific community having sounded the alarm for decades. This led ORGCAS to take an educational approach to combating these threats, with a particular emphasis on responsible tourism. “One of the main dangers to the sea is the fishing industry,” says Gómez. “But it is important to differentiate between commercial and artisanal fishing.”
In Mexico, small-scale shark fishing continues to be a tradition of native communities; for decades, it has been the primary source of income for entire families. The ORGCAS team brought Proyecto Tiburón—or Project Shark—to local fishermen. They reached out to the last shark fishermen in the area to propose a transition to sustainable tourism.
“A combination of things worked in our favor; a need combined with a vision on our part,” Gómez says. With the decline of shark populations due to industrial overfishing evident—sharks and rays are slow-growing animals and don’t reproduce until they are quite old—the region’s fishermen had noticed an instability in this source of income from season to season.
Dynamite fishing, underwater mining, and unchecked tourism and development are other major threats to the sea and these species.
One of ORGCAS’s most ambitious goals is the creation of a nature reserve along the area’s Pacific Coast and the Gulf of California. “With the help of the fishermen, we are trying to promote the protection of this area and thus regulate activity, prohibit underwater mining, limit industrial shipping to certain areas, and protect more and more of this area,” Gómez told Euronews.
Sharks play an essential role in the ecosystem as they control their prey’s distribution, abundance, and diversity. They also indirectly support the growth of ocean plants by controlling populations of sea creatures that feed on them.
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), there are over 500 species of shark worldwide. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species states that over 143 of these species are in serious danger of extinction and are considered vulnerable to critically endangered.
“Seventy percent of the shark population in Baja California is already gone. We already have locally extinct sharks such as the Great Hammerhead and the Oceanic White Tip Shark that are almost gone too,” says Frida Lara, scientific coordinator at ORGCAS. “If we don’t do something now, it will be too late for shark populations to recover,” she adds.
ORGCAS is helping fishing communities transition from catching sharks to becoming tourist hubs for shark-related experiences. They are working in Agua Amarga, a small fishing town with a population of 500 people, training fishermen to tag the sharks instead of killing them so that they can have an extra income and eventually phase out shark fishing,” adds Lara.
ORGCAS has gained the trust of the fishing community in Agua Amarga and is helping to increase local shark populations. They are also broadening their horizons to cover the whole peninsula of Baja California, protecting its ecosystems at large.
They want to extend their efforts further by providing opportunities for involvement through both tourism expeditions and volunteer programs. Designed to vary in terms of duration, focus areas, and prerequisite experience, these programs are developed to engage a diverse audience through inclusive and accessible spaces. By offering a variety of openings, they hope that a wider audience will witness and engage with marine conservation going forward.
As the world turns the calendar page from November to December, citizens everywhere shift their holiday focus from the season of thankfulness to the season of giving. Encompassing holidays such as Chanukah, Christmas, Boxing Day, and Kwanaza, the giving season is highlighted by spreading good wishes and positive energy by collectively focusing on generosity and supporting those who are in need.
Following on the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, Genesis Business Humanity Group held an event at RED South Beach and brought together our community in Florida, and raised funds to help orphans, widows, children, families, and communities start to heal and move forward.
Today, we are providing “grants for life,” which support orphans in Israel through emotional, educational, and financial, and paragraph on the event GFFL did on the 26 after the horrific events, and that GFFL is focusing on “grant for life” program to support orphans in Israel providing life-long emotional, educational, career development, and financial support.
For us at the Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation, Giving Tuesday is already one of the most critical days of the year as we look to generate funds for a variety of causes around the globe. However, this year’s Giving Tuesday carries extra sentiment for us, as the sudden outbreak of violence in Israel has been, and still is, devastating for so many.
Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones and who are suffering, as we are guided by our faith, unity, and humanity to alleviate suffering and provide immediate resources through this crisis. That’s why this year, for Giving Tuesday, our mission is to comfort and support orphans, widows, children, and families in Israel.
We here at the Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation have already taken steps on our own to achieve this mission. For example, roughly four months ago, we supported another celebration of Bar & Bat Mitzvah for 30 orphans with Rabbi Dalfin at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Together with Rabbi Dalfin, this celebration at the Western Wall is just one of many ways in which Genesis contributes and supports the growth and development of those who have faced difficult circumstances.
Furthermore, we are a proud supporter of The Simcha connection run by Rabbi Dalfin. The Simcha Connection has contributed more than USD 2 million in food to Orphans’ families and supported the bar & bat mitzvahs for more than 2000 boys and girls. We consider it an honor to do this alongside Rabbi Dalfin, who has dedicated his whole life to serving & supporting those in need.
Unfortunately, there is still more to be done when it comes to mitigating the damage and destruction and aiding those affected the most, which is why we are using this Giving Tuesday to ask citizens for help in any form possible.
Whether through donating or volunteering, by working with our Genesis Business Humanity Board of Directors and Membership, and with long-standing philanthropic partners, you can help us continue to focus on supporting the widows, children, orphans, and families to rebuild homes and communities following this horrific attack. One hundred percent of the money raised this Giving Tuesday by Genesis Friends For Life Global Foundation will directly benefit those in Israel who need our support the most at this moment.
The act of giving can come in many forms for both consumers and enterprises alike, but one such method that has gained a great amount of traction in recent years has been participating in Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday, often described as a global day of giving or a global generosity movement, has been held each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving since 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y in partnership with the United Nations Foundation.
The day was started as a way of simply encouraging people to donate and do good, but the unofficial holiday grew so rapidly that in 2019, Giving Tuesday spun out into its own organization, led by Giving Tuesday co-founder Asha Curran, as its CEO. This year, Giving Tuesday comes on November 28th, with the next two years of Giving Tuesday falling later, within the first week of December.
The day of global giving, though only a little over a decade old, is already one of the most successful days of the year when it comes to fundraising money for numerous charities. Just two years ago, in 2021, USD 2.7 billion was raised in the U.S. alone, with 2022 proving to be even more fruitful. Giving Tuesday raised USD 3.1 billion, a 15 percent increase, with over 35 million people participating and donating in some form, a six percent increase as well between 2022 and 2023.
While this day is important for individuals and charities around the world, it is extremely important for non-profit organizations looking to drive attention to their cause among a larger audience. Giving Tuesday presents non-profits with a host of opportunities; as with the unofficial holiday now commonly known among the general public, it’s the perfect chance for non-profits to highlight their missions, solicit donations, increase visibility, and gain new supporters.
However, while Giving Tuesday is important to non-profits for various reasons, it’s important to remember the key benefit of participation is the amplified giving that can come with a movement and using the concentrated effort to create a sense of urgency to donate, and overall generate publicity for causes, charities, and people who need the help the most. To help us on our mission of aiding those affected by the conflict in Israel, click here to donate and make a lasting impact on someone who truly needs support this giving season.
Yaakov Zada-Daniel, Star of Netflix Hit Series Fauda, to share his life story as an orphan growing up in Israel
Israel Consul General Maor Elbaz-Starinsky will also address the audience
October 13, 2023; Miami Beach, Florida; Tel Aviv Israel – Genesis Business Humanity Club, a private network including business and philanthropic leaders who identify meaningful technologies emanating from Israel and bringing those technologies to the United States, today announced they are hosting a fund-raising event at Red South Beach steakhouse on October 26.
The event will benefit orphans, widows, children, and families in Israel, in partnership with Simcha Connections and other organizations. Sponsors and attendees will have the opportunity to hear from special guest Yaakov Zada-Daniel, from the hit show Fauda, himself an orphan who has established an orphanage in Israel.
Additionally, Consul General Maor Elbaz-Starinsky will be in attendance. Elbaz-Starinsky leads the Miami Consulate of Israel and works together with influential Jewish and Israeli communities in Florida to promote interfaith cooperation to combat antisemitism and racism.
“This will be a very special event that brings together the Miami community in support of orphans, children, and families in Israel in the wake of the horrific massacre,” said Amiel Aviman, co-founder and CEO of Genesis Business Humanity based in Miami.
“Attending this event will raise funds and awareness around the opportunity to ensure orphaned children, widows, and families in Israel will have access to resources and can set out on a path for a successful life of joy and promise,” said Ranny Yarom, co-founder and CEO of Genesis Business Humanity based in Israel.
Yarom is leading all projects on the ground in Israel, working with community leaders and the IDF (as a retired Colonel and entrepreneur), and ensuring resources go directly to those most affected by the brutality and destruction near the Gaza border.
Genesis Club members are part of an exclusive network of industry leaders and entrepreneurs committed to supporting businesses who share our mission to serve humanity. The Genesis Club has developed a new economic framework which balances financial, social, environmental, and human capital, and electrifies innovation and success.
Earlier this year, our generous Club members, working with Simcha Connections, based in our global headquarters city in Miami, Florida, sponsored a Shabbat Kidush at the Kotel in Jerusalem, sponsoring Bar & Bat Mitzvah celebrations.
Simcha Connection coordinates and facilitates several celebrations throughout the calendar year for young boys and girls. They conduct a spiritual ceremony at the Kotel with the families, and host a beautiful celebration party with music, gifts, and entertainment.
Each boy receives a pair of Tefilin, a Tallit, a suit, a hat, a pair of shoes, Holy Books, and a check for his Bar Mitzvah.
Each girl receives gifts, clothing, silver Shabbat Candlesticks, earrings, and a check. This great organization also provides a meaningful contribution towards the Kiddush at their Shabbat ceremony.
After the ceremony and the celebrations, volunteers reach out to the children to reconnect and continue to educate them.
Together with Rabbi Dalfin, this celebration at the Western Wall is just one of many ways in which Genesis contributes and supports the growth and development of those who have faced difficult circumstances.
Our dedication to the community, those in need, and to humanity is unwavering. We believe that every child deserves to feel loved, valued, and celebrated. We are proud to be a part of making this a reality for these orphans.
Simcha Connection strives to improve the lives of those who are less fortunate. They help widows and orphans who have experienced tragedy and grief in their lives by providing Tzedaka and other meaningful forms of assistance.
They espouse the Torah’s teachings of Ahavat Yisroel following in the steps of the Holy Ba’al Shem Tov.
“One should endeavor to be proactive in helping others and always do so in joy and happiness.” – Ahavat Yisroel.
