Women In Aesthetics: Natalene Hoepffner

Wendy Lewis: How did you get your start in the aesthetics field?

Natalene Hoepffner: It all started in Galderma when we decided to investigate the emerging aesthetic field, in the early 2000s. I was in Business Development at that time and have been lucky to lead that assessment. I led the search for products to license, the due diligence and ultimately the negotiations. I had the chance to work on the toxin and hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers agreements and then the opportunity to launch them in Europe and other markets.

I loved this field right from the beginning as I believe looking as good as we feel and aging beautifully is not vanity but participates tremendously to our general well-being and presentation to the world.

With the creation of Fastox Pharma a few years ago, I am very proud to work on an innovation based on a solid and proven mechanism of action and, most importantly, that will truly benefit to all patients, whether they want more efficacy, a faster effect or a longer duration. And in aesthetics, but also in therapeutics, where the medical need is obvious. The attention we get from the healthcare community and the industry confirm the need of a better acting toxin!

WL: Who were some of your mentors throughout your career and how did they influence your management style today?

Ms. Hoepffner: I have been very lucky to work with quite a few inspiring leaders throughout my career and it is difficult to pick one! I have been lucky to quickly have had the opportunity to make an impact and have my voice heard. I have also been very fortunate to work in the fascinating botulinum toxin field, with so many applications and yet so many unknowns still to be discovered.

WL: How do you think your colleagues and team would describe you as a leader?

Ms. Hoepffner: I am definitely team oriented. For me, nothing is worse than to be alone. Feeling the group energy, having different opinions and approaches, different cultures, tremendously enrich the ideas and finally lead to a much better outcome.

I am also very glad to work in an environment that is science based. I believe that we need to deliver products or devices that have been thoroughly investigated and that have demonstrated meaningful performances and safety. This is the way to improve the general public’s perception of aesthetics and the only way to reassure that we are in a serious business. Our field, unfortunately, has been (and maybe still is) impacted by false or exaggerated allegations and by some unscrupulous professionals. Being science- and results-driven is the only way to gain credibility and to make a meaningful impact in the market. Offering appropriate training and unbiased information are also must requirements.

WL: What advice can you offer women who are rising stars in medical aesthetics?

Ms. Hoepffner: I would recommend delivering what you would like to get from the industry or from healthcare professionals. People will recognize you if they know that you can be trusted and dependable. We have a responsibility being in aesthetics; more and more people want to get treatments and we must not forget we are, before everything else, in a medical environment. What we develop and promote have an important impact on people’s life, whether it is on the tools used by healthcare professionals or, obviously, on patients treated.

WL: What are some of your pet causes?

Ms. Hoepffner: I believe in actions or support for women to get empowered and able to fulfill their potential. Mentoring is a great way to help younger women to be more assertive and to realize they can have it all. I am active in my alumni group from my business school to mentor young professional women. I want to have them realize they can have it all, a rich professional life as well as a fulfilled personal one, whatever is what they want to live.

WL: Name a quote that best describes your philosophy

Ms. Hoepffner: “If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more,” from the American writer Erica Jong. This inspiring quote helped me take the step to co-create Fastox and leave the “comfort” of an established company for a start-up. I took the chance based on our first experiments and knowing that our team was a solid and powerful one. I thought that was my chance to truly impact our field and bring a meaningful innovation that could truly change the lives of patients.