At a time of rapid change across ophthalmology and optometry—from advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and technologies to new models of care—leadership and collaboration have never been more critical. As the first physician to serve as president of Ophthalmic World Leaders (OWL), Renee Bovelle, MD, is leading the organization’s next chapter, focused on collaboration, leadership development, and innovation across the global eye care community. Bovelle is medical director and owner at Envision Eye & Laser Center in Glenn Dale, Maryland.

In this Q&A conversation with the Eye Care Network, Bovelle discusses her vision for OWL’s future and the role it can play in elevating diverse voices across the profession.

Note: Transcript edited for clarity and length.

You are the first physician to serve as president of OWL. What does this milestone mean to you and how do you hope it will shape the organization’s future direction?

Renee Bovelle, MD: I am thrilled and humbled to be the first physician to lead OWL. It is a deep honor and a meaningful responsibility.

What excites me most about being the [organization’s] first physician president is the opportunity to strengthen collaboration between clinicians and industry. Ophthalmologists and optometrists should feel that OWL is their professional home, just as much as it is for industry. That sense of belonging drives engagement, and engagement drives the kind of innovation and leadership development that OWL seeks to advance. OWL can help expose ophthalmologists to all that industry does for patient care. Close interaction with industry leaders outside the office will allow more ophthalmologists to take advantage of opportunities to work with industry beyond speaking engagements.

OWL began by elevating women in ophthalmology and industry at a time when they were likely to be overlooked. Over time, the organization expanded that focus to embrace diversity in all its forms including gender, race, ethnicity, and more. We are intentional about including optometry and all stakeholders in eye care. OWL made a bold move in 2015, changing the W from “Women” to “World” [in its name]. We are now increasing our presence in Europe as well. This is critical because many of our industry partners are global.

The ophthalmic field is evolving rapidly with new technologies and care models. How do you see OWL supporting leaders in navigating these changes and improving global eye care?

Bovelle: Navigating change is exactly what OWL is built for. The pace of change in ophthalmology is lightning fast. New surgical technologies. New medications. Genetic and regenerative therapy. New delivery models. New diagnostic platforms. And now put artificial intelligence (AI) on top of all of it—and even couple AI with clinical decision making. Of course, it is exciting. But it can also be overwhelming. That is precisely where Al has a role to play. Because OWL sits at that unique intersection of clinical care and industry, we are able to have conversations that are grounded in real patient care and informed by where technology and innovation is heading.

One recent example that I’m proud of is the AI panel we offered at SECO 2026. What made the panel truly valuable was that it was not just theoretical. It did not stop at inspiration. Our panelists were deliberate about offering suggestions that participants could realistically walk away with and begin using immediately. The goal was practical relevance. Both industry professionals and clinicians received concrete information to implement. And there was active audience participation as well. Our panels and educational content is so phenomenal. Our members can view it on demand.

What are your top priorities for OWL during your presidency, and what key initiatives are you most excited to advance?

Bovelle: I have to start by saying something that I mean wholeheartedly. I am so grateful to be stepping into this role and I am even more grateful that I don’t have to do it alone. We have an extraordinary board (Joe Boyd, Laurie Ferguson, Kristen Ingenito, Matthew Jensen, Carla Mack, Abigail Markward, Magda Michna, Jai Parekh, Laura Rousseau, Pierre Simon, Nivine Woods, Kevin Douglas, Maaza Martin, Cynthia Matossian) and a fantastic executive director, Gaynor Fries. Our board is diverse in that it represents small, medium, and large companies, optometry, Europe, ophthalmology, entrepreneurs, foundations, pharma, and surgery. And I want to be very clear about the vision of OWL. Driving our vision forward isn’t mine alone, it’s ours. It’s an interactive, cooperative process where every voice around the table contributes something essential. That collaborative spirit is just how we operate. And we build upon the legacy that previous board members and presidents have left us. So, when I talk about priorities, I mean what we are committed to building together.

One of the things that’s closest to my heart is developing programs to benefit our clinicians, from residents to seasoned experts. We have held programs on clinical research, what industry is looking for when partnering with doctors, in addition to many interactive leadership development programs. I would like to expand this type of programming further. Having more practicing doctors involved in OWL and on our committees will generate more ideas for relevant programs.

Increasing the number of ophthalmologists and optometrists within OWL will naturally enrich the dialogue between clinicians and our industry members and sponsors. When those of us in the exam lanes and operating suites sit next to the people developing next-generation technologies and treatment options, something genuinely powerful happens. Ideas are freely exchanged, real-world clinical challenges get heard by people best positioned to address them and entrepreneurial thinking begins to take shape. That kind of cross-pollination moves our entire field forward.

As a trailblazer in this role, what advice would you give to emerging ophthalmic leaders—especially women and underrepresented physicians—who aspire to leadership positions in global organizations?

Bovelle: To the aspiring leaders who are still finding their way, we see you. Take advantage of what OWL has to offer. Come to our amazing Leadership Summit. Become more engaged, even if you are not quite sure of your direction. Start by attending OWL events at your eye care congresses. We have keynote speakers to inspire you and act as catalysts for your own ideas. OWL offers mentorship, leadership development, and collaboration. You may find that by being willing to help others, you learn and position yourself to be a leader. I often say that OWL is like a gym membership. You will get out of it what you put into it.

Very practically, I would offer a few guiding principles.

First, become a member. You will be able to watch past educational programming “on demand.” OWL affords you the opportunity to build a network that is completely diverse. Your growth will be accelerated by engaging with people who do not look like you. This is where new ideas and new opportunities emerge. This is exactly why I believe OWL is the perfect organization for any emerging leader in ophthalmology, optometry, or industry.

Claim your space even before you feel quite ready. Don’t wait for the perfect title, the perfect CV, or the perfect moment. Volunteer to be on a committee. Raise your hand to join a small project. At our Leadership Summit, we host the Pat Morris Impact Session—a volunteer activity. While you are helping us do some good for the community, you can also network and have fun alongside other leaders. Who knows what may come of some of those conversations?

Follow us on LinkedIn and other social media. You can see how we interact with and celebrate our members.

Invest in your leadership skills as deliberately as you invest in your clinical skills. Communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, and strategic thinking are learned skills. Participate in our workshops, mentorship, and programs that stretch you beyond your exam lane and operating room. OWL affords you the opportunity to build a network that is completely diverse.

OWL is a unique networking and leadership organization that connects you with all stakeholders in the eye care space. It’s not passive membership; it’s an active community. Our community wants to see you succeed and soar! We know that collaboration fosters innovation, and innovation, when guided by diverse perspectives, is what ultimately serves our patients best. Our Board often says we don’t just talk about leadership, we build it. We celebrate it and surround it with a community that is as visionary as it is diverse. That is the culture you step into when you join OWL. We are a space where emerging voices are elevated and seasoned leaders are inspired. Say yes to the opportunities that stretch you, and remember that your perspective, shaped by your experiences and identity, is your leadership superpower.

How does your experience as a practicing physician influence your approach to leadership? What does this mean for OWL?

Bovelle: My life as an ophthalmologist in private practice totally shapes how I lead. In clinical practice, I have to make consequential decisions daily. Not only for patients, but also for the practice. I am listening carefully, synthesizing complex information quickly, adapting when circumstances change, thinking about budgets, science, while keeping the patient at the center of every decision. I bring these habits with me.

I also work closely with industry in my office. Industry helps me to offer the latest medical developments to my patients. So I truly appreciate working with these leaders in OWL.

Our board is deeply grateful for the incredible support of our major sponsors; those relationships are foundational to what OWL is able to do. And I want to be intentional about making sure we are continuously providing meaningful value in return, not just visibly, but real engagement, real connection, and real impact for the organizations and their people. We want our sponsors and partners to look at the relationship and feel that it genuinely elevates what they’re able to offer their employees and their industry presence. At the same time, we are passionate about opening the door to smaller and mid-sized companies. Some of the most exciting innovation in ophthalmology is happening in these organizations and they, too, deserve a seat at the OWL table. This is another example of how we embrace diversity.

Through OWL, I have met industry professionals who have directly improved how I run my practice. They were not transactional exchanges; they were conversations between people who respected each other's expertise and genuinely wanted to help. That is the culture of OWL, and it is one of the most compelling reasons that I would encourage any ophthalmology, optometry, or industry professional at any career stage to get involved in OWL.