By Shan Khan

Denise Bernachez often jokes that she has been “married” to the optical industry for 20 years. With in-laws who own optical stores in France, eyecare has long been part of her world.

Yet her professional path was never linear, and that openness to possibility continues to shape her leadership today. After starting her career in other industries, Denise joined Nikon Optical Canada seven years ago as Vice President of Sales. In September 2024, she was appointed President, a role she describes as both new and energizing. What has guided her decisions throughout her career, however, has never been title, but impact.

She has always been driven by the desire to contribute meaningfully and to represent a product that brings joy or well-being. That conviction shaped her early years in marketing, where she learned to think from the customer’s perspective: understanding needs and developing solutions that truly resonate.

Her transition into sales marked a defining shift. It moved her focus from selling products to serving clients, a distinction that continues to inform how she approaches leadership. Progress followed naturally, not because it was planned, but because she remained curious, open, and willing to take risks.

Denise is quick to emphasize that her journey has never been a solo one. At every stage of her career, she credits her teams for helping her grow. Advancement, in her view, is collective, built through trust, shared learning, and momentum.

Leadership Without Labels

Despite operating in a segment where senior leadership roles remain largely male, Denise does not frame her experience in terms of gender-based barriers. She believes the central challenge facing everyone in the industry is a market that continues to evolve rapidly.

For her, diversity is not symbolic, it is practical. Different perspectives, instincts, and experiences strengthen leadership and decision-making. Denise has never viewed being a woman as either an advantage or a limitation.

“She leads as herself, guided by experience, vision, and values, believing that leadership is defined by substance rather than labels.”

A Catalyst for Change

Denise sees her role as one of responsibility and momentum. For Nikon Optical Canada, standing still is not an option. She believes leaders must challenge established thinking and encourage the industry to rethink how it operates, particularly when it comes to the positioning of independent eye care professionals.

Innovation is central to that vision. Working closely with Nikon’s research and development teams in Japan, Denise is actively involved in shaping future technologies and solutions. While she remains discreet about what lies ahead, she signals that 2026 will bring a particularly promising innovation to market.

Mentorship and Growth

Mentorship has played a defining role throughout Denise’s career. Having experienced both being mentored and mentoring others, she believes deeply in the value of shared learning. She remains in close contact with her first manager, Marie Line Beauchamp, CEO of MTY Group, whose leadership left a lasting impression. When Denise was appointed President, it was Marie Line she called first.

Her advice to young women in the profession is simple and direct: dare. Dare to be curious, to ask questions beyond your role, and to explore every facet of the industry. Building a strong network, she believes, is just as important during challenging moments as it is during times of success.

Balance and the Human Side of Leadership

Balancing national leadership responsibilities, international collaboration, and family life requires discipline. Denise is naturally high-energy but has learned the importance of slowing down and protecting her equilibrium.

There is no secret formula, only intention. Through exercise, reflection, or connection with peers, she makes space for herself each day, even briefly. Her greatest source of renewal remains time with her family, from lively dinners at home to weekends in Saint-Donat, where stepping away from Montréal allows her to disconnect and reset.

One book that shaped her leadership early on was The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni, reinforcing a principle she still values: leadership begins with trust, and above all, with humanity.

Outside the boardroom, Denise finds joy in rock ’n’ roll dancing; a reminder that energy, rhythm, and connection matter in leadership as much as they do in life.

As the optical industry continues to evolve amid technological, economic, and societal shifts, Denise Bernachez remains guided by collaboration and collective strength. Inspired by Japanese philosophy, she believes progress is never individual.

Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.

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