“If you’re curious about stepping into a role in professional affairs, my advice is: go for it”

For those with a passion for contact lenses, a role in industry could provide the ideal path for career progression.

With OT’s August/September Women in Optometry edition focusing on how the demographic of the workforce has changed, we asked leaders at CooperVision about their experiences of working in industry.

OT heard from Keran Fordham, senior regional director at CooperVision UK and Ireland, who shared her reflections on the opportunities, as well as the considerations, for women in leadership roles in industry.

Chithra Dhanabalan, professional affairs manager at CooperVision, also spoke to OT about what drew her to a role in the contact lens sector and where her career has taken her since.

Diversity in viewpoints and leaning in

Fordham highlighted that diversity is key for all companies across industries, and is a focus for CooperVision, sharing: “That comes from a place of knowing that diversity is good for people generally, but also brings a diversity of views and perspectives. It’s important from an innovation and creativity viewpoint – if you don’t have diversity in a team, you’re limiting yourselves to your own opinions.”

Before joining CooperVision, Fordham worked as vice president general manager at The Estée Lauder Companies.

She said: “In the last 20 years, I had seen the sector become more female, and coming into this sector I did notice a difference because there was more diversity the other way. But what I really felt was that it was a level playing field.”

That being said, Fordham’s leadership team happens to be all-female. She explained: “This was not by design. From a succession-planning perspective, the people who were up-and-coming within the organisation who could fill these roles happened to be female.”

The team is very aware of the all-female dynamic and regularly discuss how this could affect their views.

“We work hard to do that,” Fordham said, continuing: “But there was also a sense from the team that, actually are we talking about this because we are female? Would an all-male team have the same dialogue?”

“So we’ve decided to be proud of who we are – as long as we keep diversity on the agenda, make sure we don’t have a biased view and that we are consulting and well-rounded in our approach, we’re happy to lean into it for now,” she added.

CooperVision UK and Ireland is based in the same office as global commercial and Europe, Middle East and Africa teams, so there are a variety of departments that team members can grow into in the future, Fordham noted.

“Whilst we’re an all-female team now, I am sure that over time it will begin to change again, but at the moment we are embracing it,” she said.

“Whilst we’re an all-female team now, I am sure that over time it will begin to change again, but at the moment we are embracing it”

A career for optometry professionals in contact lenses

Looking at the optical profession, Fordham said: “We have a lot of women rising within the optometry field and I think one of the brilliant things about companies like CooperVision is that we provide a different route.”

One of those pathways sees optometrists, who can bring their specialist understanding and experiences of “what happens in the optometrist’s world,” to the company, Fordham said.

She reflected: “You see those people fly because they are experts in their field and able to impact their knowledge in a completely different way – I think that is mighty powerful.”

A benefit that working in an industry role can bring is being able to work within a team.

Fordham said: “One of the things that I think has been huge for some of the optometrists who have moved across into CooperVision is that you are with a team who you get to know really well. There is a great support network and belief in you, and awesome training. Connection and belonging is really important to us.”

“I think it’s always worth looking at roles in the contact lens sector for career development”

For those working in practice, such as contact lens specialists or front-of-house staff, Fordham emphasised: “There are very definitely opportunities within the CooperVision world that could suit you.”

“I think it’s always worth looking at roles in the contact lens sector for career development,” she added.

Fordham noted that, because the industry is organically growing, this creates space for progression.

“This is an industry that is blessed with a level of growth that will give you opportunity. So, if you come in and do well, play your part, and are a team player, there is no reason why you can’t grow,” she said.

“It sounds a bit sappy, but if you can bring joy to the team, they will bring joy to what they are doing – and that is part of what we are trying to achieve,” Fordham said.

CooperVision

A career in professional affairs

Chithra Dhanabalan, professional affairs manager at CooperVision, spoke to OT about her journey into professional affairs, why this was a career goal for her, and the opportunities she has experienced along the way.

What drew you to the professional affairs manager role?

The opportunity to work with a blend of clinical expertise and strategic thinking. With experience in both clinical practice and professional affairs, I was excited to join a team that actively shapes how contact lenses are understood, prescribed, and embraced in everyday practice.

CooperVision has a strong and inspiring vision for the future of contact lenses, and professional affairs plays a key role in bringing that vision to life. Whether it’s through creating engaging training programmes, supporting practitioners with practical resources, or collaborating with key opinion leaders, the role allows me to make a meaningful and lasting impact.

I’ve had the opportunity to present at conferences, contribute to trade publications, and work closely with marketing and commercial teams; each experience has been dynamic, collaborative, and aligned with my passion for education and innovation.

What inspires me most is the ability to influence clinical habits and elevate the role of contact lenses in practice. CooperVision is a company that not only values clinical excellence but also invests in its people, encouraging growth, creativity, and cross-functional collaboration. This role has given me the platform to make a real difference, not just in the professional lives of eye care practitioners, but in the experiences of patients as well.

“This role has given me the platform to make a real difference, not just in the professional lives of eye care practitioners, but in the experiences of patients as well”

Was this something you had considered doing before?

This is definitely a path I had considered and actively worked towards. I joined CooperVision as a professional affairs consultant with a clear goal in mind: to grow into a role where I could have a broader impact. From the beginning, I was given opportunities to stretch beyond my day-to-day responsibilities and contribute to projects that developed my strategic thinking, leadership and commercial awareness. Through supportive mentoring, hands-on experience and exposure to different parts of the business, I’ve been able to build the skills and confidence needed to take on the professional affairs manager role.

This progression has been both challenging and rewarding, and it’s shown me how important it is to stay open to growth. You don’t have to have all the answers from the start. If you’re willing to learn, step outside your comfort zone and stay curious, the opportunities to develop and make a meaningful impact are there, and they’re absolutely worth pursuing.

What has the experience of working in industry been like? What have you learned from this?

Working in industry has been an incredibly positive and empowering experience. At CooperVision, I’ve had opportunities I never imagined when I first started; from lecturing at universities and speaking to large audiences, to contributing to innovative strategies that raise the profile of contact lenses in everyday practice. Each experience has helped me grow, challenged me in new ways, and shown how much impact we can have beyond the consulting room.

“Each experience has helped me grow, challenged me in new ways, and shown how much impact we can have beyond the consulting room”

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of embracing new challenges, even when they feel unfamiliar. Early on, there were moments when I felt out of my comfort zone, but I was always supported by a team that encourages learning and development. That support made it easier to take risks, try new things, and ultimately discover how rewarding those experiences can be.

CooperVision is a company that truly invests in its people and embraces and supports the women within its workforce. The culture here is collaborative, forward-thinking, and full of opportunities to make a real difference.

If you’re curious about stepping into a role in professional affairs, my advice is: go for it. You don’t need to have all the answers, just a willingness to learn, grow, and contribute. With the right mindset and the support of a team like this, the possibilities are far greater than you might expect.