Ophthalmic World Leaders (OWL) Names First MD President and Other Leadership Changes for 2026
Ophthalmic World Leaders (OWL) announces the appointment of Renee Bovelle, MD, as its new President. OWL also welcomes three new members to its Board of Directors: Kevin M. Douglas, MD (Medical Director, Eye Care – Retina, AbbVie), Maáza Martin (Senior Director, Global Strategic Marketing, Tarsus), and Cynthia Matossian, MD, FACS (Founder, Matossian Eye Associates).
Dr. Bovelle brings a blend of clinical, academic, and leadership experience to her new role as OWL President. She is the Owner and Medical Director of Envision Eye and Laser in Maryland and serves as Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Howard University. A board-certified ophthalmologist trained at Wellesley College, UCLA, Yale, and LSU Eye Center, Dr. Bovelle is known for her expertise in advanced ophthalmic technologies and healthcare cybersecurity.
In addition to her academic appointments at Howard University Hospital, Ross University, and the University of Maryland, Dr. Bovelle is deeply engaged in medical education and policy development. She is widely recognized for her commitment to mentorship, collaboration, and advancing clinical excellence.
“I am thrilled to be the first MD President of Ophthalmic World Leaders,” said Dr. Bovelle. “I look forward to continuing to raise awareness within the MD and OD communities of all that OWL has to offer—and to increase collaboration between industry and physicians.”
With this leadership transition, OWL extends its heartfelt thanks to outgoing President Nivine Woods for her service and dedication.
“Serving as OWL President has been an honor and a privilege,” said Ms. Woods. “I am proud of the growth in leadership, community, and impact we’ve seen across our organization. I have deep confidence as I pass the gavel to Dr. Bovelle. I know she will carry OWL forward with the same passion, spirit, and bold vision that have always defined us.”
OWL also announced the addition of three distinguished leaders to its 2025 Board of Directors. Each brings a wealth of experience in innovation, collaboration, clinical leadership, and strategic business acumen across the global ophthalmic ecosystem.
Kevin M. Douglas, MD
Dr. Douglas is a seasoned biopharmaceutical executive with nearly two decades of experience in the US and global markets. His career includes leadership roles at Sanofi-Aventis, UCB, and AbbVie, where he has played key roles in major therapeutic launches across gastroenterology, rheumatology, and ophthalmology. Now serving as Medical Director and Retina Lead for U.S. Medical Affairs Eye Care at AbbVie, Dr. Douglas has led pivotal clinical studies and product launches while remaining steadfast in his commitment to advancing innovative therapies for complex medical conditions.
Maáza Martin, Senior Director, Global Strategic Marketing, Tarsus
Maáza Martin is a respected commercial leader with over 20 years of experience in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, including more than a decade in eye care. At Tarsus, she oversees global expansion, launch strategy, and long-term planning for the company’s growing pipeline. As one of Tarsus’ early leaders, she was instrumental in launching the first FDA-approved treatment for Demodex blepharitis. Her prior experience spans Avanir, Allergan (now AbbVie), Genentech, and IMS Health, where she played key roles in bringing first-in-class therapies to market.
Cynthia Matossian, MD, FACS
Dr. Matossian is an accomplished ophthalmologist and healthcare entrepreneur, serving as Chief Medical Officer for Visiox and Freya Ophthalmics, where she helps advance innovative ophthalmic therapeutics and novel drug delivery systems. She is also CEO of GPOphtho, a group purchasing organization for ophthalmology practices, and Chief Medical Advisor for Bruder Health-Hilco. Additionally, she sits on the Medical Advisory Board of LacriSciences and serves as President of the American College of Eye Technicians, which she co-founded.