Looking back to your first job, do you think you had any idea what was in store in your future?
My career started in corporate finance at PricewaterhouseCoopers. While I was figuring out how to navigate the working world, I was also starting a life and a family with my wife, Sofie. Everything happened all at once, so I had to take it all in, enjoy each moment, and truly learn how to live life as a young adult, both career-wise and personally.
You’ve been with Johnson & Johnson Vision for 9 years and in 2019 took over the role of President, North America. What has this role taught you thus far?
The energy and enthusiasm of my colleagues has been absolutely thrilling and inspiring, and it makes this position one of a kind. I have been absolutely blown away with their passion to make a difference in peoples’ lives, which links back to the commitment of Johnson & Johnson Vision to change the trajectory of eye health. Not surprisingly, I have found that this same dedication and energy to make a difference in patients’ lives is present across the entire optometric industry. This role has highlighted that having the right amount of vigor and desire is imperative in making the best impact on our patients.
You mentioned that Johnson & Johnson Vision is moving away from focusing on products and to focusing on the patient journey. What was the thinking behind this new direction?
The eye care industry is transforming rapidly, and the need for eye health care is more significant than ever. We aim to provide tools and resources that support and allow eye care practitioners (ECPs) to deliver the highest standard of care to patients, while ensuring that the critical patient-doctor relationship stays at the center. When ECPs have better opportunities to offer more personalized, impactful, and effective experiences and products, it becomes a win-win situation for providers and their patients.
Does being a polyglot come in handy for you professionally? What language would you say is your favorite?
Being able to communicate proficiently in different languages has been extremely useful while moving around the globe. But beyond the convenience, I’ve learned that one way to show respect for people and their culture is by learning their language. I encourage everyone to learn the language of whatever country they are in, even if it’s not perfect. I’ve found that it’s easier to build relationships and partnerships when you try to understand each other.
My favorite language is Flemish, the language of my grandparents and the one I grew up speaking. I feel like it connects me to home. Interestingly, it’s a language that you learn only by speaking; it’s not written in any way.
What life skills or lessons do you try to instill in your children?
My daughters would likely laugh at this question, or might have something different to say.
However, Sofie and I teach them to embrace the diversity of everyone regardless of gender, beliefs, etc., and to embrace changes and soak in every moment as an opportunity to learn, even when it is difficult. These skills have been a vital part of living in so many different countries throughout their lives. Questioning, challenging, debating, and not accepting the status quo are also key life skills we find crucial to their growth and success.
If you could put out a public service announcement related to vision care, what would it be?
Get an eye exam! Sight is the most precious of senses, and it needs to be protected. We should all be treating our eyes as they deserve to be treated, starting with an annual comprehensive eye exam. Even if you don’t have any vision impairments, an eye exam can identify potential problems—such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetes—that, if left undiagnosed, could cause vision loss and potentially permanent blindness.
In the United States, Johnson & Johnson Vision has partnered with the American Optometric Association’s initiative to make 2020 the Year of Your Eye Exam, and we are encouraging all employees to schedule an annual eye exam in 2020 to protect their vision.
What’s one thing about you that others may not know?
I think most people already know too much about me, as I tend to be an open book! One thing most people wouldn’t know is that I absolutely love to cook. The whole experience of preparing a meal is therapeutic, calming, and overall enjoyable. Unfortunately, my family thinks I am a horrible cook and they try to keep me out of the kitchen, which winds up being a little counter-productive for my relaxation.
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