2023 OWL Leadership Summit – Highlights
Summary
The two-day event provided ophthalmic leaders with a platform for knowledge exchange, promoting diversity, innovation, and excellence in the industry.
OWL’s second Leadership Summit, held in Austin on September 21-22, 2023, proved to be a dynamic gathering of industry thought leaders. The event, aimed at fostering leadership development and diversity within the ophthalmic field, saw an engaging lineup of speakers and interactive sessions that left attendees inspired and informed.
The summit kicked off with a Networking Lunch, setting the stage for two days of collaboration and knowledge sharing. Erin Schallhorn Powers, OWL President, welcomed the participants and provided an overview of the summit’s objectives.
Aimee Shimamoto from BVI Medical involved the audience with an Interactive Poll, creating an immersive atmosphere for the attendees.
In the Opening Keynote, Dr. Habeeb Ahmad delved into the topics of resilience and transformational leadership, sharing his incredible story and leaving the crowd with invaluable insights into survival strategies. The subsequent panel discussion, “Leadership Challenges and Opportunities,” featured Arthur Chan (Tarsus Pharmaceuticals), Warren Foust (STAAR Surgical), Johanna Purcell (Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals), and Cari Stone (Elios Vision).
A networking break allowed attendees to connect and exchange ideas, setting the stage for the second part of the day.
The Entrepreneurial Endeavors panel, moderated by Joe Boyd (Executive Biotech Advisors), showcased the journeys and pearls of wisdom from entrepreneurs including Srini Kondapalli, MD (Rinsada), Joanna Williams (Lexitas), and Pat Buehler, MD (Infocus Eye Care/Osheru).
Yari Mitchell (Y Factor Consulting) and Tiffany Montoya (Montoya4sight) led a session on “Effectively Coaching & Being Coached,” providing practical examples and guidance on giving feedback.
Day one concluded with a networking reception, cocktails, and a group dinner, fostering opportunities for continued discussions.
The second day commenced with a Fireside Chat with Cynthia Matossian, MD, FACS. Interviewed by Renee Bovelle, MD, Dr. Matossian shared her personal story along with invaluable leadership lessons and insights that left attendees inspired.
Facilitated by Pierre Simon (Sight Sciences), an interactive session on “Building Diverse Teams & Culture” sparked discussions on team building and development, culture, and the importance of diverse recruitment in the post-COVID era.
After a networking break, a Fireside Chat on “The Digital Roadmap” featured Ranya Habash, MD (Bascom Palmer Eye Institute) and Kristen Ingenito (Market Scope), exploring the impact of digital transformations in ophthalmology and eye care.
“Making an Impact Beyond Your Job Title” was the focus of a session led by Zaiba Malik, MD (Medpace/EyeMD), and Raymond Kong (New World Medical), highlighting the importance of combining passions and contributing to nonprofits and mentorship programs.
The summit culminated in a wrap-up session, followed by closing comments from Nivine Woods, OWL President-Elect. The summit officially closed with a lunch, and attendees were invited to stay and participate in a group networking and impact project with Rise Against Hunger, to “walk the talk” and finish by making a difference for those in need. Attendees packed over 7,300 meals to be distributed to those with food insecurities
