Ophthalmic World Leaders
Mark Your Calendar
OWL at AECOS
Summer Symposium
Saturday, July 11, 2026
6:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Join us as we bring the eyecare community together for a brief Networking Reception in celebration and comradery at AECOS Summer Symposium!
Seen, Heard, Trusted
Building an Authentic Digital Presence in Modern Eyecare
Thursday, July 16, 2026
19:00 CEST
Join our virtual program as we discuss the importance of building credibility, visibility, and influence online.
Upcoming Events
Leadership Summit
July 30-31, 2026
Leading Forward: Stories, Skills & the Future of Eyecare
OWL's annual Leadership Summit is a staple in the event calendar. Our 5th Leadership Summit will be held July 30-31.
We're working to make this year's Summit our most impactful yet! Save the date to join us in Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland Resort.
2026 program updates in progress!
Featured Champions
Daniela Obenshain
Associate Director of Global Digital & Social Media
Alcon
Daniela is a global digital communications leader recognized for shaping modern digital, web and social media strategy within the ophthalmic industry. As Associate Director of Global Digital & Social Media at Alcon, she leads enterprise‑level digital initiatives that elevate the company’s voice, strengthen brand reputation, and advance thought leadership across global markets.
With a career spanning multiple industries—including healthcare, CPG, B2B, and the public sector—Daniela brings deep expertise in integrated marketing, content strategy, and executive communications. She is known for translating complex, highly regulated scientific and corporate narratives into clear, compelling digital storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences.
A subject matter expert in social media strategy and multicultural communications, Daniela has guided organizations in building culturally relevant, inclusive content ecosystems that drive engagement and trust. Her leadership has supported digital transformation efforts, strengthened governance frameworks, and enabled teams worldwide to communicate with consistency and impact.
Daniela holds a BA in Strategic Communications and an MBA in Marketing from the University of North Texas.
James Mazzo
Executive Chair
Neurotech
James (Jim) Mazzo is Executive Chair of Neurotech, a private clinical stage biotech company focused on developing transformative therapies for chronic eye diseases. Mazzo is an Advisor for Anivive, Bain, CVC Private Equity, Visus, and Zeiss. He sits on the Boards of Emmecell, Iantrek, Pulse Medica, Remonihealth and is the Executive Chair of Trukera and Centricity Vision.
He serves as President of the Ophthalmology Foundation and Board Chair of the Gavin Hebert Eye Institute. Mazzo is on the Advisory Boards of the AAO Foundation, the AGS Foundation, NASA’s Mission to Mars Committee, is an Officer in the Order of St. John, and a Board Member of the Anaheim Ducks Foundation. Mazzo is one of the ophthalmic industry’s best known and most respected business leaders with more than 40 years of proven experience. His global reputation for building and running world-class organizations is based on twenty-two years of leading Allergan’s North American and European eye care organizations; Chairman, President and CEO of Advanced Medical Optics (AMO); EVP of Abbott’s global ophthalmology business; Executive Chair and CEO of AcuFocus; Global President of Ophthalmic Devices for Carl Zeiss Meditec; and President, CEO and Member of the Board for Avellino.
Additionally, he is the Founder and Past Chair of Octane, a member of the International Intraocular Implant Club (lllC) and Executive Committee Board Member with the Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA). His accomplishments and contributions to the healthcare industry, business and educational communities include serving as Board Chair for AdvaMed, member of the University of California at Irvine Foundation, Vice Chair Trustee with Chapman University, Richard Nixon Foundation Board Member, and years of dedicated experience in the medical device industry including cardiology, dermatology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology. Mazzo’s accolades include recognition as a multi-time Top 100 Innovator in Ophthalmology, and one of Orange County’s Top 50 Executives. In 2023 he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Lindstrom Leadership Award, and the Orange County Eye Project Lifetime Achievement Award.