Theme: NO LIMITS

At this year’s TEDxAlconR&D event, we want to continue our Brilliant Momentum with talks that support the theme of No Limits from 11 outstanding speakers from R&D, Commercial, and Manufacturing. These amazing talks will encourage and challenge our associates to continue to push the boundaries and think beyond limitations. We will share unique ideas to help spark new innovative thoughts, conversations, and continue to think differently.

Schollmaier Auditorium
6201 South Freeway
Fort Worth, Texas, 76134
United States

Cody Loveland

Global Director Social Media, Commerical - VC

Cody Loveland is a culture and digital catalyst who is passionate about inspiring and unleashing the power in people. He is a family man, sports fan, and fluent in all things Star Wars and Marvel. Formerly a high school educator turned global facilitator and digital ambassador, he is currently the Global Social Media Director at Alcon in Fort Worth, TX and previously the Global Digital Communications Director and Global HR Head of Employment Brand & Associate Engagement. In his roles, Cody created the world-class global onboarding experience BestSTART, launched the new Alcon logo and rebrand, designed the company website Alcon.com, and developed winning social media strategies that out-perform competitors year-over-year. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History and Communications, a master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction, and has completed postgraduate studies and professional certifications in Product Management, Talent Management, Education Leadership, and Social Justice.

David Kramer

Sr. Director, Global Biometrics R&D CRD

David Kramer has worked in clinical research in the pharmaceutical / medical device industry for 29 years, leading worldwide teams of statisticians, programmers, and data managers. David was born in New York City, one of the most diverse cities in the world, and that childhood experience led to his love of travel, where he has traveled extensively in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, as well as Australia and Japan. David considers himself a biologist, a statistician, and a photographer. His hobby time is spent with his camera, and as such has had his photography hang in several art galleries, as well as having work published in a book and several calendars. David is very involved in social and environmental charitable endeavors, helping those less fortunate who have no voice of their own. David’s insights into scientific rigor and biology have encouraged him to teach classes on the utility and necessity of statistics in both inside of and outside of work.

Diana Pust

Medical Science Liaison - Surgical, Northwest Region, R&D - CDMA

Diana joined Alcon in January 2022. She was born and raised in Southern California, the child of Vietnamese immigrants. As a trained Optometrist, Diana served active duty in the US Army overseas in Germany. She also has worked on many research projects to help find better solutions to improve and save eyesight. Her work, travel, and literature have taught her that Helen Keller was correct when she said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” Diana is passionate about the value of creativity and the positive impact any individual can have on any team. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family—especially her husband of 16 years.

Gisele Maxwell

Principal Engineer II, R&D - Instrumentation

Prior to working at Alcon, Dr. Gisele Maxwell served as CEO and Director of Shasta Crystals Inc., where she was responsible for day-to-day management of the company. Gisele received her Ph.D. degree in Physics and Materials Science from the University of Lyon, France. She then served as a postdoc at Stanford University in the Byer / Fejer group at the Ginzton Laboratories. From here, Gisele worked for two companies where she successfully took new products to market: Crystal Technology Inc. and Silicon Light Machines. Gisele is also a Fellow of SPIE, a Judge for the Prism Awards of Photonics (SPIE), a Technical Grant Reviewer for the National Science Foundation and a Reviewer for the Journal of Crystal Growth.

H. B. Pierre Simon, Jr.

Sr. Product Manager - Monofocals, Global IOLs Mktg Commercial

In his current role as a Global Senior Marketing Manager, Pierre combines his love of international travel with his passion for helping patients see brilliantly. Pierre is a man of multiple names as well as multiple passions. Along with his Global role, he is also the Chair of AACE, an employee resource group which supports, engages, and helps develop employees of African Ancestry while ensuring Alcon’s efforts towards Diversity are both inclusive and sustainable. When he’s not bringing innovative products to market, Pierre is busy writing his next book. He is a two-time best-selling published author and a motivational speaker. Pierre currently sits on the board of North Dallas ISD, where he mentors students on several key topics including: transitioning to college, financial literacy, maneuvering the corporate world. Pierre has a Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Houston in Marketing & Finance, as well as an MBA in Business Development & Sales Leadership.

Josh Billups

Sr. Engineer, Validation, MTO - MNT Maintenance 04

Josh joined Alcon in January of 2017 working on R&D Transfers, and transitioned to MS&T working on Validations in November of 2021. Apart from his bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from WVU and his master’s in Industrial Engineering from Auburn, he holds a license as a Professional Engineer and is PMP certified. He is driven to constantly grow and develop. This drive is what fuels both his personal and professional pursuits. That drive has led him to do everything from being on the field / court as a college cheerleader (Let’s Go Mountaineers!), pursue a master’s while working full-tume, and become a runner (going nowhere fast). For him, life comes down to the intentional choices each one of us make daily.Josh is a husband and father of 2 boys. He was born and raised in the hills of West Virginia.

Kevin Baker

Digital Lead, Data Science & Engineering, R&D MDS

Kevin joined Alcon in June of 2017. Prior to joining Alcon, he worked as a data scientist across several medical instrument companies, and as a consultant supporting healthcare, retail, and social media industries. Since joining Alcon, he has created custom optical eye models simulations that predict lens imaging performance, and developed custom machine learning models and operations that have supported several R&D projects. Outside Alcon, he loves to spend time with his family, travel with his wife, and work in his garden.

Luca Palmerini

R&D Sr. Engineer II

Luca joined Alcon in March of 2021, as part of the R&D team and has worked in product development for ILM Membrane Peeler. He was born in Canada and moved to Italy at the age of 7.Back to Canada at the age of 30, where from there he arrived in Switzerland in 2010.More than 30 years in R&D among different industries and fields allowed him to have a holistic approach to challenges. He firmly believes that all new technologies in different fields are developed to help out for a future sustainable life.

Nina Novichkova

Sr. HR Business Partner, MTO - HR Huntington

Nina is passionate about talent and organizational development. She joined Alcon as Sr. HR Business Partner to support Commercial functions after her 12 years’ successful career in HR consulting. In 2018, she moved to Huntington, WV to support Alcon manufacturing site. Nina has Law and MBA degrees which are very helpful with her day-to-day work. For the past fifteen years, she has been leading initiatives in Human Resources involving organizational development, talent management, learning, and recruiting across numerous industries; including healthcare, FMCG, and retail. She is constantly pushing for creative HR and talent development solutions. Nina is married, has a 6 year old son and a 9 year old daughter. Reading, hiking, sailing, and cycling are favorite spare time activities.

Ryian Williams

Technology Transfer Sr. Engineer II, R&D Tech Transfer

Ryian hails from the beautiful twin islands Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Ryian would be found huddled around his Christmas toys, quietly dismantling, reassembling, and studying the design of his new trucks, planes, and cars. In 2010, this insatiable curiosity and natural dexterity ultimately led him to migrate to the United States to pursue his Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Midwestern State University. Ryian joined the Research and Development IOL Design team at Alcon in August 2018, and has since moved on to the Glaucoma group as a Technology Transfer engineer. In his free time, Ryian volunteers as a “BIG” in the Big Brother Big Sister program, Toastmaster, and is an avid soccer player. He also shares his experiences and learnings with young adults to help them blossom and actualize their dreams. In February 2022, the self-proclaimed “Island boy” published his first self-help book and continues to be an avid reader and student of life.

Willistine Lenon

Sr. Clinical Trial & Operations Lead, R&D CDMA

In Global R&D Clinical Operations, Willistine is a CT&OL for feasibility studies in Vision Care. She has 30 years of experience expanding across multiple therapeutic areas. She is passionate about working in feasibility as these studies assist the company in making important decisions about our products. Willistine is a wife and mother of 3 children (two girls and one boy). She also has two grandchildren, ages 5 and 14.