For Leo Otero, navigating and shaping the dynamic landscape of the eye care industry comes down to one simple guiding principle: "Look to make other people better". Over his two decades in the field, this commitment to elevating others has transformed him into a powerful connector of diverse voices across the entire industry.

That is exactly why Ophthalmic World Leaders (“OWL”) honored Leo as its 2025 Catalyst Award winner. The Catalyst Award recognizes an individual who has contributed significantly to helping others advance their career in eye care. Furthermore, nominees must demonstrate clear leadership in supporting the advancement of diversity.

Diversity as the Ultimate Connector

A central pillar of this award is the advancement of diversity, which Leo views through the lens of Malcolm Gladwell's concept of being a "connector". He explains, "diversity to me is being a connector... being able to represent different people from different experiences, whether it's academic, whether it's private practice, whether it's a large institution, or small institution". 

When you bring these varied voices together, it fundamentally elevates the conversation. Leo observes that these individuals "bring a variety of ideas and experiences to the stage and they express those ideas in how they present their data". Furthermore, he notes, "It may be subconscious, but I truly do see that people from different backgrounds really have a unique way of expressing themselves". Having these diverse perspectives in the room creates a highly engaging environment for everyone involved. As Leo puts it, "when you have a stage filled with different people from different backgrounds, it just makes for a very engaging meeting". 

Helping Others Reach New Heights

Throughout his career, Leo noticed that some people were just very good at mentoring and helping others within their respective companies. This inspired a pivotal question: "What if I could do the same thing outside of just my company in ophthalmology?". 

According to Leo, mentorship requires a highly customized approach because "the measure of success is that there's no ‘one size that fits all’". He explains that simply copying another person's successful formula does not guarantee the same results. Instead, he notes that a person's path depends heavily on their individual drive, personality, and timing. His ultimate reward is knowing that you played some small part in them reaching new heights, whether that involves guiding them on how to present clinical data more effectively or raising the bar for patient outcomes.

The Power of OWL and Live Connections

To foster this kind of mentorship and professional growth, Leo views OWL as a perfectly suited organization for helping people achieve more. He describes the OWL community as a supportive and safe group where professionals can freely express their ideas. It serves as a vital link that brings industry leaders and clinicians together to strengthen the medical field.

He highlights the irreplaceable value of live events because they facilitate what he calls the "a-ha moment". These are the instances when hearing a completely different viewpoint instantly shifts your perspective and broadens your understanding.

Leo’s North Star

When asked about his guiding principle, Leo shared his powerful and simple philosophy: look to make other people better.

He approaches every interaction with the goal of taking something valuable away from the other person's unique background and energy. He strives to always walk away from conversations feeling like a better person, while also hoping to impart that same positive growth so the other individual walks away better too.

This "North Star" is the very essence of what the Catalyst Award represents.

True leadership in eye care is not just about personal achievements or industry milestones; it is about being a spark for others. Leo’s journey reminds us that by championing diversity and investing in tailored mentorship, we can collectively elevate the entire profession.