Leading with Love: Meet New Chamber Board Member Dr. Paul Lovero
Longtime Chamber member, LGBTQ+ business owner, healthcare professional, and parent Dr. Paul Lovero brings a deeply personal commitment to inclusion, connection and community to the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
A New Chapter of Leadership
The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome Dr. Paul Lovero, owner of Montrose Eye Care, to its Board of Directors. A longtime Chamber member, Leadership Circle Member, and generous program sponsor, Dr. Lovero has consistently shown up in support of the Chamber and its community.
In this Q&A, he shares what inspires his Board service, the experiences and perspectives he brings to this new leadership role, and how he has built Montrose Eye Care as a welcoming and affirming practice for every patient.
In Conversation with Dr. Paul Lovero
We’re excited to welcome you to the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. What does joining the Board and taking on this new leadership role mean to you?
I am truly honored to join the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and take on this new leadership role. As a parent, I believe that fighting for a better future is one of the most profound obligations of parenthood. Building a world that the next generation can step into with pride, equality, and opportunity requires intentional action.
For me, serving on the Board is an opportunity to lead by example, use my voice and experience to make a meaningful impact, and help strengthen the LGBTQ+ business community here in Houston. I hope this is just the first step in creating positive change and leaving a better, more inclusive community for our children and for generations to come.
To help our readers get to know you, tell us a little about yourself—personally and professionally.
I put the “Love” in Lovero. I’m all about love, kindness, and making everyone feel welcome, so much so that some of my patients even call me “Dr. Love.” When I opened Montrose Eye Care nearly 10 years ago, I envisioned a practice where everyone could feel comfortable, welcomed, and safe while receiving exceptional eye care.
I’ve always had a passion for helping people look and feel their best, and I still personally curate the frame collections and independent pieces featured in our optical. Outside of work, I’ve been with my husband for nearly 23 years, and together we have two beautiful children born through surrogacy.
Becoming a father has been the greatest joy of my life, and seeing the world through our children’s eyes has taught me what love is truly all about. I hope to share that same joy and kindness with everyone I meet, both personally and professionally.
What inspired you to take this next step in your Chamber involvement and serve on the Board?
One person: Tammi Wallace. Through her leadership, I’ve seen firsthand the profound impact one person can have on an organization and its community.
Leadership has always been an important part of my journey; from serving as President of the Pre-Optometry Professional Society in college to leading the Optometric Student Association in optometry school. I’ve always challenged myself to stay engaged, advocate for my profession, and use my voice to create positive change.
I’m excited to bring that same passion to the Chamber Board, continue growing as a leader, and make a meaningful difference in our LGBTQ+ business community.
What experiences, perspectives, and strengths do you hope to bring to your Board service?
I’ve been a member of the Chamber for nearly five years, and during that time, I’ve seen firsthand how it brings LGBTQ+ business owners and supportive allies together to create a stronger, more inclusive economic community.
As a healthcare professional, I’m passionate about advocating for my patients and ensuring they have access to the most advanced care and treatments. As a Board member, I want to bring that same sense of advocacy and protection to our organization and the businesses we represent.
I truly believe that diversity and inclusion are not only powerful drivers of business success, but also what makes our business community stronger and more vibrant. I’m honored to take this next step in my Chamber involvement and use my voice, experience, and leadership to help protect and advance the opportunities available to LGBTQ+ businesses and allies.
Most importantly, I want to help build a business community where everyone feels seen, valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin this new leadership role?
I’m most looking forward to getting to know the incredible members of the Chamber and learning more about their businesses and experiences. As someone who built a cold-start optometry practice from the ground up, I understand the dedication, resilience, and community it takes to build a successful business.
I want to use my leadership role to help our members feel connected, supported, and empowered to succeed. I’m excited to strengthen those connections, champion one another, and continue building a thriving community where we can all grow together.
You have been a longtime Chamber member, including as a Leadership Circle Member, and a generous sponsor of programs and events, including LAMBDA NextGen, 3rd Thursday Breakfast and the Pride In Business Celebration. How has your relationship with the Chamber grown over the years?
This year has truly been a full-circle moment in my relationship with the Chamber. When I first opened my practice, I was a member of LAMBDA NextGen (young professionals), and today, Montrose Eye Care is proud to sponsor the very programs that helped me build connections within our community.
I’ve had the privilege of sponsoring and serving on the Host Committee of the Pride in Business Celebration, but I never imagined that I would be celebrating this year as the 2026 LGBTQ+ Business of the Year.
What began as a membership has grown into a meaningful partnership built on shared values, community, and a commitment to seeing LGBTQ+ businesses thrive. I’m incredibly grateful for how the Chamber has supported my journey, and I’m committed to giving back and doing everything I can to help the organization, and the businesses it represents, continue to grow and succeed.
Why has investing in the Chamber’s work through sponsorship and active involvement been important to you and your practice, Montrose Eye Care?
As an LGBTQ+ business owner, I believe it’s important to support and invest in the businesses within our own community. We have so many choices when it comes to where we shop, dine, and do business, and choosing to support LGBTQ+-owned businesses and Chamber members helps strengthen our entire community.
Sponsoring and actively participating in the Chamber allows Montrose Eye Care to not only give back, but also to build meaningful connections and create opportunities for other businesses to thrive. I believe that when we support one another, we create a stronger, more connected, and more resilient business community. For me, investing in the Chamber is about more than business, it’s about building a community where LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and allies can succeed together.
What have you valued most about the connections and relationships you have built through the Chamber community?
What I’ve valued most is the sense of connection and inspiration that comes from being part of the Chamber community. Every time I meet another Chamber member or attend an event, I leave feeling reinvigorated and motivated to continue pushing myself and my business to be the best they can be. It’s especially meaningful when I see patients who are also Chamber members; it creates a deeper connection and a shared sense of community.
We’re not simply business owners supporting one another; we’re part of a larger network that understands the importance of lifting each other up. Knowing that we’re all in this together, and that we will continue to support one another, is what makes the Chamber community so special to me.
Why is supporting LGBTQ+ young professionals and emerging leaders through programs such as LAMBDA NextGen meaningful to you?
I remember graduating from optometry school with mountains of student loan debt and a dream of one day owning my own practice. Early in my career, one of my mentors told me I would never succeed as an openly gay doctor. Rather than hide who I was, I made the decision to lead with authenticity because I believe that if I can’t be my true self with my patients, how can I expect them to trust me?
That experience has shaped my commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ young professionals and emerging leaders. Through programs like LAMBDA NextGen, I want to share my story, offer encouragement, and remind the next generation that they don’t have to compromise who they are to achieve their dreams. If my journey can give someone the confidence to be authentic, pursue their ambitions, and believe that their dreams are possible, then I consider that one of the most meaningful ways I can give back.
Tell us more about your role at Montrose Eye Care and the work you lead through the practice.
As the owner of Montrose Eye Care, I have the privilege of leading an incredible team alongside my associate doctor, Dr. Nancy Lo. We take pride in combining personalized, comprehensive eye care with the latest advances in technology and treatment. Our practice offers innovative lens solutions, including Neurolens technology to help address symptoms such as headaches, motion sickness, and neck pain, as well as ZEISS Digital ClearMind lenses designed for clear, comfortable vision.
We also provide advanced dry eye treatments, including radiofrequency and intense pulsed light therapy, to help patients with dry eye disease and meibomian gland dysfunction. Most importantly, we look at the eye as part of the whole visual system, taking a comprehensive approach to helping our patients see clearly, feel their best, and live their lives with greater comfort and confidence.
What inspired you to pursue a career in eye care and establish Montrose Eye Care?
Growing up with a mother who was a nurse, I was encouraged to pursue medicine, but as the middle child, I wanted to carve out a path that was uniquely mine. I’ve always been drawn to fashion and the way personal style can express identity, so when I discovered optometry, I realized I could combine my passion for medicine, fashion, and helping people feel confident.
To me, glasses are more than a medical device, they’re a statement of individuality, while contact lenses can offer patients a sense of freedom and confidence. That passion ultimately inspired me to open Montrose Eye Care as an independent optical, where I can personally curate unique eyewear from designers around the world and create an experience where patients don’t just see better, they feel their best.
In the end, I didn’t have to choose between fashion and medicine, I built a career that refuses to separate the two.
Montrose Eye Care is an inclusive eye care practice. What does creating a welcoming and affirming experience for every patient look like to you and your team?
At Montrose Eye Care, inclusion is weaved throughout the entire patient experience. Our intake forms give every patient the opportunity to share their legal name, preferred name, and pronouns, creating an environment where everyone can feel seen and respected. Our team wears nametags and office jackets featuring our Pride Montrose Eye Care logo, names, and pronouns, while our office proudly displays a rainbow heart within our logo wall and Pride decorations throughout the year, not just during Pride Month.
We also have a dedicated wall celebrating our “Gayest & Greatest” awards, an all-gender restroom, and a team that makes every patient feel seen. Beyond our office, we believe inclusion means showing up for our community, which is why we actively support and sponsor organizations and events through the Chamber and The Montrose Center. For us, creating an affirming experience isn’t a campaign or a season, it’s part of who we are every day.
Why is it important for LGBTQ+ patients to have access to healthcare providers who understand and respect their identities and experiences?
For many LGBTQ+ patients, finding a healthcare provider they feel comfortable with can be challenging. Some may hesitate to share important aspects of their health or personal history because they fear being judged, misunderstood, or having their identity dismissed.
When patients feel respected and affirmed, they are more likely to be open and honest, which allows providers to deliver more personalized and effective care. As healthcare providers, it’s our responsibility to create an environment where patients never have to choose between being their authentic selves and receiving quality care. Understanding the unique experiences and needs of LGBTQ+ patients isn’t just about being inclusive, it’s about building trust, improving communication, and ultimately providing better healthcare.
What would you like readers to know about Montrose Eye Care and the services your practice provides?
I would love to be your new eye doctor! Montrose Eye Care is my first baby, and over the years, my patients have truly become part of our family. To everyone who already trusts us with your vision, thank you for continuing to choose Montrose Eye Care as your eye care home.
Whether you’re looking for a safe and inclusive practice, the latest in vision, glasses and contact lens technology, advanced dry eye treatments, myopia management and orthokeratology for children, or care for any of your eye health needs, we’re here for you. Most importantly, we want every patient who walks through our doors to feel welcomed, cared for, and confident that they’re receiving the very best care. We would be honored to welcome you into the Montrose Eye Care family!
As you look ahead, what impact do you hope to make through your Board leadership and continued involvement with the Chamber?
As I look ahead, I hope to deepen my relationships with the members and businesses that make up the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce and help create more opportunities for us to support one another. I truly believe we should do business within our own community whenever possible, something I practice personally by supporting Chamber-member businesses, including having a local Chamber member cater lunch for my team each Friday. I hope to inspire more businesses to adopt that same mindset and create stronger connections that benefit us all.
I’m also passionate about creating more opportunities for LGBTQ+ families to connect, especially through events like Families with Pride, which celebrates our families and reminds us that we are not alone. As a Board member, I would love to help expand these opportunities throughout the year and build a stronger, more connected community where LGBTQ+ businesses, professionals, and families can thrive together.
As the Chamber begins its next decade of impact, what are you most excited about for the organization’s future?
I’m excited about the opportunity for the Chamber to become an even greater force for LGBTQ+ business and community in Houston. I envision a future where the Chamber is the first resource entrepreneurs turn to when starting a business, expanding, or relocating to Houston. I see the Chamber being a trusted network that provides connection, resources, and support from day one.
I’m also excited to see the Chamber continue using its collective voice and relationships with local and state leaders to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and ensure our community has a seat at the table. Ultimately, I hope we continue building an organization that is not only a powerful advocate, but an essential partner in helping LGBTQ+ businesses and our community thrive.
How can readers learn more about Montrose Eye Care, schedule an appointment, or connect with your team?
We’d love to welcome you to Montrose Eye Care! You can call or text our team at 713-300-1477 to schedule an appointment, or, for your convenience, book online anytime through montroseeyecarehtx.com. Whether you’re due for an eye exam, looking for new glasses or contact lenses, or need specialized eye care, our team is here to help.
We can’t wait for you to experience the Montrose Eye Care difference!
Leading into the Chamber’s Next Decade
Dr. Lovero’s journey from Chamber member and program sponsor to Board member reflects his deep belief in showing up, supporting one another, and building a stronger future for LGBTQ+ businesses, professionals, and families. We are excited to welcome him to the Board and look forward to the leadership, advocacy, and heart he will bring as the Chamber begins its next decade of impact. We are grateful for his longtime support of the Chamber and proud to welcome him into this new leadership role.
LEARN MORE
montroseeyecarehtx.com | Call or text 713-300-1477
Location:
520 Waugh Drive
Houston, TX 77019
👉 Learn more about Dr. Lovero.