OWL Leadership Summit 2023: Navigating ophthalmic leadership challenges and embracing diversity

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The Ophthalmic World Leaders (OWL) Leadership Summit, scheduled for September 21 and 22, 2023, in Austin, Texas, will feature a lineup of prominent speakers and engaging discussions on a wide range of leadership topics and industry insights.

To learn more about or to register for the summit, click here.

Day One: Thursday, September 21

The summit kicks off with an optional networking lunch, providing attendees with the opportunity to connect and build relationships within the industry. Following lunch, OWL President Erin Schallhorn Powers will welcome participants and provide an overview of the summit's objectives.

The program then moves into an interactive audience poll and ice-breaker session led by Aimee Shimamoto of BVI Medical. This session aims to facilitate engagement and get to know the audience better.

Habeeb Ahmad, MD, will deliver the opening keynote, "Resilience and Transformational Leadership - a Survival Playbook." This presentation will delve into the critical aspects of leadership in challenging times, with a Q&A session following.

The afternoon continues with a panel discussion on leadership challenges and opportunities. Arthur Chan of Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Warren Foust of STAAR Surgical, Johanna Purcell of Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, and Cari Stone of Elios Vision will share their insights on various leadership aspects, including lessons learned, transitioning roles, start-ups vs. large organizations, and people leadership tips.

After a break and networking session, the summit reconvenes with a session on "Building Diverse Teams & Culture." Facilitated by Pierre Simon of Sight Sciences, attendees will split into groups for an interactive brainstorming session, addressing topics such as teambuilding, recruitment, and the positive impact of diversity in the workplace.

The day concludes with a panel discussion on "Entrepreneurial Endeavors," moderated by Joe Boyd of Executive Biotech Advisors. Panelists Srini Kondapalli, Joanna Williams, and Pat Buehler will share their entrepreneurial journeys, successes, and insights on fundraising and persistence.

Day Two: Friday, September 22

Day two begins with a breakfast session featuring a fireside chat with Cynthia Matossian, MD, FACS, offering valuable leadership lessons and insights. Renee Bovelle, MD, will conduct the interview.

Following the breakfast session, Yari Mitchell of Y Factor Consulting and Tiffany Montoya of Montoya4sight will lead a discussion on "Effectively Coaching & Being Coached," providing practical examples of coaching and feedback in leadership.

A break and networking session will provide attendees with further opportunities for connection and collaboration.

The summit then shifts its focus to "The Digital Roadmap" with a fireside chat between Ranya Habash, MD, of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Kristen Ingenito of Market Scope. The discussion will explore digital transformations in ophthalmology and their impact on leadership, marketing, and customer engagement.

The program concludes with a session on "Making an Impact Beyond Your Job Title," featuring Zaiba Malik of Medpace/EyeMD and Raymond Kong of New World Medical, who will share their experiences in combining their passions and contributing to nonprofit organizations, boards, mentorship, and volunteerism.

The summit wraps up with closing comments from Nivine Woods, OWL President-Elect, followed by lunch and the official close of the event.

As a fitting end to the summit, participants have the opportunity to engage in a group team-building and impact project with "Rise Against Hunger," a global humanitarian organization dedicated to ending hunger.