Supporting women in speaker and KOL roles
Women in aesthetic medicine face challenges in securing speaker and KOL roles, which impacts innovation and representation. Increasing female influence requires proactive steps from brands and organisations.
Women make up a large proportion of those running and working in aesthetic practices, yet many feel underrepresented in key opinion leader (KOL) and speaker roles.
The voices shaping the future of medical aesthetics should reflect the diversity of the professionals driving the field, but systemic barriers continue to limit opportunities for women to be recognised as industry leaders.
A paper on Unveiling Gender Disparity: A Closer Look at Speaker Representation at International Aesthetic Medicine Conferences written by Emmaline Ashley, Priyanka Chadha and Lara Watson analysed the speaker composition of three international aesthetic medicine conferences over the past three years: the Aesthetics & Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress (AMWC), the International Master Course on Aging Science (IMCAS) World Congress, and the Facial Aesthetic Conference and Exhibition (FACE).
Of the 5,993 clinical lectures amongst 189 sessions over three years, 66.34% were given by male speakers and 33.66% by female speakers.
The gender disparity remained consistent over the three-year period reviewed, with no upward trend. Symposiums with all-male panels consisted of 26.4% of the total sessions.
Dentist and facial aesthetics practitioner Dr Mei Yeoh comments, “Women make up the majority of this profession, and the majority of patients we treat are women – yet too often, our voices are missing from the very panels and industry events shaping the future of aesthetics. How can we drive real progress when those with the deepest understanding of patient needs aren’t at the table?"
As women, we offer a unique perspective, deeper insight, and an innate understanding of our patients’ needs – because, more often than not, we are the patient too. Having more women in these spaces isn’t just about representation – it’s about redefining the industry with voices that truly reflect its workforce and its patients.
A recent open letter from Women in Aesthetic Medicine (WIAM) highlights the urgent need for change, calling on brands to actively support and elevate female practitioners. By increasing representation in KOL programmes, mentorship initiatives, and industry events, they believe we can foster a more inclusive and dynamic sector – one where expertise and leadership are truly reflective of talent. It read:
To the brands supplying the medical aesthetics sector,
The aesthetics industry is driven by innovation, expertise, and a commitment to excellence. At the heart of this thriving field are the practitioners — highly skilled, passionate professionals dedicated to delivering life-changing results for their clients.
Many of these experts are women. In fact, women make a significant part of the workforce in medical aesthetics as surgeons, doctors, dentists and nurses. Insurance brand Hamilton Fraser’s annual survey of the industry saw a majority of female respondents, with 74.8% of 300 people being women. Yet, they remain underrepresented in key leadership roles, advisory boards and as key opinion leaders shaping the future of the industry.
We believe it’s time for meaningful change.
As the brands that supply and influence this sector, you have a unique opportunity and responsibility to champion the women who are the backbone of this industry. We urge you to take active steps in ensuring that women have a greater presence and influence within the medical aesthetics space. Here’s how you can help:
Increase female representation in KOL programmes The professionals chosen to educate, influence, and represent brands should reflect the industry’s workforce. By ensuring more women are invited to be key opinion leaders, you not only provide them with the recognition they deserve but also foster a more inclusive and dynamic educational landscape.
Offer leadership and mentorship opportunities Establish initiatives that support women in advancing their careers, whether through mentorship programmes, scholarships, or leadership training. Providing structured pathways to leadership roles will create a more balanced and forward-thinking industry.
Showcase female experts at events and conferences Industry conferences and brand-led events should be representative of the people they serve. Prioritising female speakers, panellists and educators will bring fresh perspectives and elevate the voices that are often overlooked.
Represent women in higher management According to the 2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Beauty report published collaboratively by the MBS Group, CEW UK and ScienceMagic.Inc, representation of women in beauty businesses is strongest at the direct report levels, with 59% women, but dips at the most senior levels of leadership.
Women dominate the workforce in aesthetics, and the patient-base, so their influence should be imperative for the brands shaping the industry.
Hamilton Fraser champions women in leadership roles and offers a number of insurance options for you if you are a business owner.
From commercial insurance to malpractice coverage, we can tailor the right policy to your needs. Get in touch today to find out more about our products.
Highlight women in your marketing and campaigns Representation in brand storytelling is powerful. Featuring female professionals in advertising, educational materials, and social media campaigns will help create a more authentic and relatable industry narrative.
Tracey Dennison, WiAM board member, nurse practitioner and owner of East Riding Aesthetics, said, “I’m 100% dedicated to patient care, safety, education, and advancing standards in our industry, but for true progress, we need more than clinical expertise — we need real commitment to equality. Women make up a significant part of the aesthetics workforce (within and beyond the clinical arena), yet too often, there are barriers to leadership, recognition, and opportunity. This isn’t just a women’s issue; it’s an industry-wide and cross-gender responsibility. I believe in fairness, mentorship, and lifting others up, and I call on brands to actively support and invest in the women shaping the future of medical aesthetics. Real change happens when we all work together and commit to making a difference.”
We are not asking for token gestures — we are asking for genuine commitment to progress. The medical aesthetics industry thrives when it is built on equality, innovation, and shared success. We invite you to join us in making this vision a reality.
Let’s work together to ensure that the future of aesthetics is not only shaped by women but also champions them at every level.
Sincerely, Women in Aesthetic Medicine
You can also listen to the WIAM podcast here.
Independent nurse prescriber and founder of Facial Aesthetics Julie Scott believes “self-limiting beliefs” and “imposter syndrome” can be barriers for women when it comes to speaker opportunities. She advises:
“Don’t allow your own perception of your gender, credentials, or anything else which you may think defines your authority, get in the way. If you have a passion, an area of expertise, and a voice to share them with, then you are already ready – simply believe that you can.
“Next, action that belief. Put your ideas forward; don’t be afraid to approach people with your ideas for speaking. Always say yes when offered an opportunity and think about it after you’ve committed. Don’t let the fear stop you – walk towards the fire and just do it.
Finally, when you are rehearsing and delivering your speech, remember that you are there to add value to your audience. Take your ego out of the occasion – it’s not about what you need to do, it’s about what needs to be done. This is my best advice for relieving the anxiety that often accompanies speaking at events.”
For more insights and advice from Julie Scott, explore our detailed conversation with her.
In this interview, Julie shares valuable tips and personal experiences that can guide both newcomers and seasoned professionals in the aesthetics industry.
Read the full interview here to delve deeper into her journey and expert advice.
Independent nurse prescriber and founder of Update Aesthetics Nina Prisk says, “As someone who’s had the privilege of being in the spotlight within the aesthetics industry, I think it’s incredibly important to empower women, especially those in leadership and speaker roles.
"The more women we see sharing their knowledge and expertise, the more we break down the barriers that still exist in certain industries. I’ve always strived to give back, whether it’s through my work as an international lecturer or as an ambassador for Allergan.
"The beauty industry can be competitive, but when we support each other, we elevate the whole field. There’s room for every woman to have a seat at the table, and I’m proud to be a part of that positive change.”
Dr Sophie Shotter reminds us that true equality on the speaker circuit is about women and men working together and celebrating their different skills.
She says, “I have been fortunate to have some incredible opportunities to speak on both UK and global stages.
"I think it's about celebrating the fact that men and women can bring different things to the table – different personality traits, different assets, and different opinions – and for me, it's about creating balance in a faculty or panel.
"I think that harmony and celebrating that is what's so important. It's not about wanting to see women represented more than men, it's about wanting to see them represented equally.”
Nurse practitioner Claudia McGloin says, “As an international speaker on PRP, I am honoured to be speaking and representing women in the medical aesthetics sector. It can be a male-dominated field, and for women to shine through is amazing.”
