As we get ready to welcome a new cohort of 25 Distinguished Women, let’s revisit the stand-out originals: AmSpa’s Distinguished Women in Medical Aesthetics 2023. 

The Distinguished Women Award is a prestigious program by the American Med Spa Association (AmSpa) to honor those who have shown outstanding leadership, innovation and dedication in the field of medical aesthetics. 

Erika Barry, NP-C, MSN, Moksha Aesthetics | aka @injectorbunny

What kinds of support have you received from other women in the industry? We are always there for each other, whether it’s to provide advice or just lending an ear. The support we provide each other is truly incredible.

Julie Bass Kaplan, FNP-BC, Disappearing Act Medical Aesthetics

What do you love about medical aesthetics? The thing I love the most about medical aesthetics is how so many of us are willing to share honestly with each other. I cannot think of another field of medicine that shares experiences like we do. Think about it for a moment—can you think of any other conferences where you can sit right next to someone teaching a technique that leads to better patient safety? Can you think of any other field of medicine that educates on social media or online platforms like we do?

Sarah Berg, DNP, FNP-C, Bespoke Beauty

What advice would you give to other women in the industry? Don't give up on yourself—ever. There will be times when you will be your only and biggest fan, usually during really hard times. Make your relationship with yourself unshakeable and deeply rooted in love for yourself. Give yourself the grace to fail, find the lessons in failure and pick yourself back up to continue. You've got this.

Nicole Chiaramonte, Advanced MedAesthetic Partners, Synergy MedEsthetics

What advice would you give to other women in the industry? Identify the unspoken dream in your heart, define what its success looks like in your life, know what you are willing to sacrifice for it, stay true to your values, never compromise and never quit.

Shawna Chrisman, NP, Destination Aesthetics

What kinds of support have you received from other women in the industry? I have been fortunate to experience incredible support from fellow women in the industry. The solidarity among us is truly inspiring, embodying the essence of "community over competition." The journey of balancing work and life can be both exhilarating and exhausting, but the mutual understanding we share has been a source of strength.

Cary Christensen Deuber, CRNFA, CANS, Lemmon Avenue

What advice would you give to other women in the industry? Keep seeking education and rise above the fray. Be mindful of every interaction you have and be sure you do everything in your power to make a positive impact.

Kay Durairaj, MD, Beauty by Dr. Kay

What do you love about medical aesthetics? I love the intersection of artistry and science that medical aesthetics represents. What I love most is witnessing the transformative power of treatments to enhance natural beauty.

Kimberly L. Evans, MD, FACOG, Sugarland Med Spa

What obstacles have you encountered because you are a woman? I dealt with so many obstacles that I could write a book. From seeing male surgeons joke about how heavy the patient was on the table or teasing her about her skin color, I had times I had to mentally block myself from the current situation because I know this patient looked just like me. Later in life, focusing on my aesthetic dreams and building a successful private practice, I had to use the same blocking mechanism with what was unseen in my community. I was teased and culturally looked down upon, and my ideas were often overlooked because they were out of the norm of what should be expected from a medical practice. Now, I have colleagues that look at me in awe, asking how did I do it.

Gretchen Frieling, MD, GFaceMD

What advice would you give to other women in the industry? Determination, drive and enthusiasm are the characteristics that I believe are essential to success. If you possess these, you will be able to achieve your biggest goals and dreams. It is also important to remember that we learn from our failures, whatever you perceive a “failure” to be. The most extreme growth I experienced was after the master plan did not go “my way.” I have learned to not sweat the small stuff and understand that this journey of life is the exciting part. Once we are at the end, the excitement ends—at least for me. Now, cheers to your journey!

Ann Frossard, SkinSpirit

What kinds of support have you received from other women in the industry? This industry has been amazing. I came from companies where the senior leaders are mainly men. It has been such a boost to see and work amongst such competent, interesting and successful women making it happen in all aspects of their life. This industry in the first where I have seen women truly able to have it all.

Meredith Harris, MS, WHNP, New Life Aesthetics

What would you change about your experience in the industry if you had the chance? Sixteen years ago, the training for new injectors was very limited. We were not taught anatomy as it relates to injectables, and we did not have cadaver courses available. If I could change one thing, it would be that I would have had the wealth of learning resources available that are available to new injectors now.

Lynn Heublein, SkinSpirit

What obstacles have you encountered because you are a woman? As a female leader, I have seen double standards when it comes to what is expected and even “acceptable” in terms of leadership style. The traits that are admired in men are often looked upon negatively in women, especially when it comes to how women in business exert themselves. We have built a culture at SkinSpirit where we all share common core values, but we encourage our leaders to develop their own unique style. In our company, our female leaders have flourished by leaning into what makes them effective rather than conforming to a standard.

Amanda Holden, MD, Holden Timeless Beauty Med Spa

What do you love about medical aesthetics? What I most love about aesthetics is the positive impact treatments have on patients’ lives. I absolutely love examining a patient’s face for balance and signs of aging and then making subtle suggestions as to how they can enhance their natural beauty and age differently. There is a vibrance and energy connected to a confident human being, and I love getting to play a role in the process of increasing confidence in individuals’ lives.

Maegen Kennedy, MMS, PA-C, Windermere Medical Spa & Laser Institute


What advice would you give to other women in the industry? Get training and stay hungry for new things, but don’t jump on every bandwagon. New products don’t have to be used immediately—make sure the general population tries it first; there is no rush. Use large blunt tip cannulas for 99% of all injections and make sure to focus on skin health, not just volume and wrinkle reduction. Create a membership that is simple. Stop discounting your services. Invest in the best technologies only. Have fun, stay humble, don’t overfill, say no a lot and don’t be afraid to be yourself.

Rana Kennelly, MSN, AGNP-C, CANS, The Confidence Bar

What would you change about your experience in the industry if you had the chance? Looking back on my journey in aesthetics, I would say that I am happy with the progress we have made. Firstly, in our knowledge and skill (those earlier years, we froze upper faces and made monkey mouths) and, secondly, creating a more supportive and inclusive environment. However, if given the chance, I would have loved to see this level of support and inclusivity right from the start.

Brianna LaTorre, MS, APRN, The Lip Bunny Beauty


What kinds of support have you received from other women in the industry? The camaraderie and support from fellow women in the medical aesthetics industry have been incredibly uplifting. This field thrives on the empowerment and leadership of women, and I've found a genuine sense of encouragement and backing from my female colleagues. They have been instrumental in fostering an environment that champions growth, innovation, and collective success. The kindness and support I've received from these amazing professionals have not only bolstered my confidence but have also deepened my pride in being part of such a progressive and inclusive industry. It's a privilege to work alongside these women, pushing the boundaries and shaping the future of medical aesthetics together.

Vanessa Lee, RN, The Things We Do

What obstacles have you encountered because you are a woman? Even though aesthetics is driven by women on the patient and provider side, I found that finding representation as a woman at conferences and KOL panels was rare and that most of the providers who were looked up to were male, and I found that odd. I have always pushed for myself and for women in general to be at the forefront of teaching, leading and inspiring in this industry. I eventually made it to those top stages that I would mainly see men on panels for and even had to create that space for myself and others at times, and it is something I am very proud of.

Nicci Levy, Alchemy 43

What kinds of support have you received from other women in the industry? The women leaders in this industry are a special and unique group. We are all extremely collaborative and supportive.

Nicola Lowrey, PA-C, N2 Aesthetics

What would you change about your experience in the industry if you had the chance? I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve been in this specialty since its inception, and the experiences I have had, both good and bad, have provided me the foothold to become who I am today. I am pretty proud of the provider I am today. This also doesn’t mean that I have “arrived”—I am still learning every single day. I wish I would have had a greater focus on continuing education back in the earlier days of my career, but it just wasn’t as available as it is now. We are so lucky to be part of this incredible time of evidence-based information that is emerging in this specialty.

Alexa Nicholls Costa, NP, LexRx

What advice would you give to other women in the industry? Passion and purpose go hand in hand. When you discover your purpose, you will typically find it is something you are tremendously passionate about. Stay in your lane, commit to your purpose and live it passionately.

Lauren Olson, PA-C, Radiance Medical Aesthetics and Wellness

What obstacles have you encountered because you are a woman? Three male bankers turned me down for my business loan before a female banker saw my vision and loaned me the money to start my business. In this day and time however, I think it is important to recognize that we as women have a seat at the table. Don't look at yourself as "lesser than." This is victim mentality and is self-defeating.

Marria Pooya, Greenwich Medical Spa

What kinds of support have you received from other women in the industry? The camaraderie among female leaders in our industry has been a cornerstone of my success. I've been fortunate to receive generous support in various aspects, from innovative marketing strategies to guidance on fundraising to simply having a trusted confidante for times when I needed to express my frustrations. In turn, I've reciprocated this support, sharing insights on best practices and offering advice on everything from equipment to options on marketing approaches to how best to foster a positive workplace culture. It's a mutual exchange where being available to answer questions and assist others is as rewarding as it is essential.

Linette Rivera, MD, Glanz Aesthetics

What would you change about your experience in the industry if you had the chance? If I could change one thing in this industry, it would be how other business owners reduce pricing on treatments just because of competition around them. We providers and entrepreneurs need to value our years of learning and hard work. We need to teach our patients that they are not paying for a product but rather are paying for quality and an expert who is giving them amazing results.

Neekan Rivera, PA-C, Aère Aesthetics

What would you change about your experience in the industry if you had the chance? I wish my initial training period would’ve focused more on anatomy and safety first. Instead, I was being taught advanced techniques with little guidance on safety. Anatomy drives what we do and I’m so glad to see the industry focusing more on how to be safe first, then the art comes in.

Alexandra Rogers, NP, LexRx

What advice would you give to other women in the industry? Stay true to yourself and stay focused on your passion. Avoid pressure from outside sources and surround yourself by supportive people.

Sarah Safa, MS, PA-C, Refined Aesthetics

What obstacles have you encountered because you are a woman? Most obstacles I have encountered have been outside of the aesthetic field and more so in primary medicine. I was challenged many times if I had the ability to succeed when seeking an advanced degree versus some of my male counterparts. Becoming an educator allowed me the confidence to ignore the noise and place myself in a position in which some of my male colleagues would then call on me for guidance.

Rahi Sarbaziha, MD, Integrative Aesthetics

What kinds of support have you received from other women in the industry? I've found solace and encouragement in the support provided by organizations like AmSpa, which actively promotes and supports women in the field of aesthetics. Attending the Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference in Miami in 2023 was a transformative experience, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to all women in the industry. Connecting with like-minded individuals and sharing experiences has been invaluable in navigating the challenges unique to women in this field.

Taylor Siemens, NP-C, My Aesthetic Training

What would you change about your experience in the industry if you had the chance? Given the chance, I would have put effort in creating community in the industry from the beginning—it took me about four years to recognize this was needed.

La-Tasha Walker, RN, La-Mon'e Aesthetics

What advice would you give to other women in the industry? I would advise women in the industry to build a strong community with experienced providers and peers to lean on for support. I would also advise women to fully support one another, pay it forward and help guide the newcomers in the industry.

Hermine Warren, DNP, APRN, CANS, Facialogy

What advice would you give to other women in the industry? Seek out partners who are like-minded, and network. This will help you to continue to grow your brand both aesthetically and educationally within the industry. Don’t stay isolated. There are certain organizations like ISPAN and AmSpa, as well as conferences where you have the opportunity to grow your network and to expand your knowledge within the field.

Limor Weinberg, FNP-BC, The Clinic USA

What would you change about your experience in the industry if you had the chance? Even with all the comradery mentioned above, there is still a lot of negativity and jealousy. I have not experienced too much of this myself, but I have witnessed it. I'm a huge proponent of community over competition. We can get so much further as an industry if we work together.

Celebrate the newest Distinguished Women at WALC

This Spring, you nominated women who stand out for their excellence in bringing the industry forward through outstanding leadership, innovation and dedication to the field of medical aesthetics. Come together to recognize their achievements at the Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference, October 3 – 5, 2025 at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Distinguished Women Awards Dinner, where we honor the extraordinary achievements of women who lead, inspire, and empower. This year's celebration is themed "The Power of the Archetype: Honoring the Many Faces of Feminine Strength."

Explore everything WALC at experiencewalc.com.

Read their full Q&A responses in the five-part blog series Introducing the Distinguished Women in Medical Aesthetics.