Face Forward: Meet The Business Woman Championing Domestic Abuse Survivors With Her Wellness Empire

by Natasha FaruqueDecember 19, 2025December 19, 2025

Deborah Alessi is spearheading change in the world of aesthetics by putting domestic abuse survivors at the centre of her mission

I’m a businesswoman, yes, but also someone who believes in purpose. When you do what you love, success naturally follows,” Deborah Alessi tells Bazaar Arabia. The always optimistic founder and CEO of Beverly Hills Wellness and Aesthetics Clinic, and philanthropic endeavour Face Forward International, is now at the helm of an empire. It stretches from the white sands of the Maldives to the celeb-filled boulevards of the City of Angels – with a prime outpost in Dubai. And, she’s managed to merge compassion with luxury aesthetics, empowerment with a flourishing bottom line. What’s clear is her relentless drive, which she inherited from her father, who passed away when she was young; “Everything I’ve built is, in some way, for him.” For some, having such far-flung geographic locations to oversee might be a challenge, but Deborah is happy to deal with time differences and jump on a jet to trouble-shoot.

When pressed as to what has been her proudest achievement, she doesn’t hesitate: Face Forward. Born from her own experience as a survivor of domestic abuse, it provides life-changing surgeries to victims of violence, acid attacks, and trauma. Both her clinic and her charitable organisation are intensely personal passion projects, and her savvy outlook is what makes both succeed; “Many charities fail because they lead with heart but not with business,” she says. “To survive, you need both. That’s how Face Forward has thrived for more than a decade.”

There’s also synergy that she instantly pinpoints. “I’ve seen both sides of transformation,” she says of her dual perspective. “On one hand, patients who feel more confident and beautiful after treatment – and on the other, survivors of acid attacks or domestic violence rediscovering the courage to look in the mirror again.”

Deborah’s clinic at the Waldorf-Astoria Palm Jumeirah offers five-star service from pick-up to drop-off

“What started as an idea to help one or two people a year became a global organisation,” she reflects. “Our last gala hosted over 700 guests, with performances by Ne-Yo, Robin Thicke, and CeeLo Green. But the real reward is watching someone smile again after years of hiding. That’s priceless. The most beautiful thing in the world is giving someone their confidence back.” The charity’s reach is truly global, helping people from Africa, India, Pakistan, the U.K., the U.S., and beyond.

Deborah had always had an interest in the beauty sphere, so it wasn’t a surprise that she chose it as her profession too. Her initial foray might have been serendipitous; while staying at the Niyama resort in Maldives as a client, she spotted a niche that hadn’t been exploited in the wellness space and decided to be the first-mover to take advantage of it. “I realised guests needed more than luxury – they needed wellness. I brought treatments in for peak season, and it became one of the top-selling experiences.” Its resounding success set her on the right path. But her road hasn’t been without bumps. When she opened her first Dubai clinic, she was simultaneously going through a divorce. “It was devastating at the time,” she admits. “But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Building here taught me so much – new systems, new rules, and the importance of having the right team. I can’t reach the top of the mountain without the right team beside me.”

What sets Beverly Hills Clinic apart? “We operate to U.S. standards,” she explains. “That means everything – from our doctors and staff to our treatments and products – reflects that same level of care. I travel frequently to see what’s happening in Beverly Hills and Miami. Staying ahead matters.” And even though she champions excellence, ethics and a fierce commitment to individuality, saying “Every face and body is different – everyone is a piece of art. You can’t make everyone look the same,” she warns that this bespoke approach isn’t the norm. “There are many clinics here [in Dubai], but the challenge is finding the right doctor. You can’t treat everyone the same way. The focus should be quality, not price.” She stresses that choosing a clinic is about trust, not discounts. “It’s your face, your body – you only get one.”

“Too many people chase trends or choose the cheapest option. Not every face can handle oversized lips or fillers. Aesthetic medicine should enhance – not distort,” she elaborates. Deborah believes clinics have a duty to guide clients. “If someone asks for a procedure that doesn’t suit them, the doctor must say no. It’s our responsibility to protect the patient – and our integrity.”

Her clinics, located inside five-star hotels like the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah and inside the ReFIVE Spa, cater to both residents and international clients, with a concierge-style experience that includes airport pick-ups, hotel stays, and tailor-made treatment programmes. “It’s about more than a procedure – it’s an experience. A feeling of being cared for from the moment you arrive,” she tells us. Patients come from everywhere. “We have clients flying in from India, Australia, the U.S., and, of course, locals who trust us with their long-term care.” What kind of procedures are her clients primarily looking for? “Exosome therapy,” she says without hesitation. “It’s incredible for skin tightening and stretch marks. And cellulite treatments are huge – every woman struggles with it, no matter how fit she is.” But despite the buzz around beauty trends, she’s firm on one message: natural is back. “People are over the overfilled look. They want balance, freshness, and harmony.”

Jacket, POA, Concrete. Trousers, Dhs3,270, Magda Butrym. Jewellery; Top; Shoes, all Deborah’s own

Having worked across multiple continents, Deborah sees cultural nuances in beauty. “Miami and Dubai are very similar – they both embrace confidence and glamour. LA is more conservative, but it’s evolving. That’s why Miami is my next target; the energy there mirrors Dubai.”

And although splits her time between Miami, LA, and the Maldives, with her home in Dubai, her passport tells another story. “I just came back from Zimbabwe for my birthday. It was breathtaking and deeply spiritual,” she smiles. “Dubai is like New York – fast, driven, unstoppable – but travel gives me balance. Eventually, I’d love to spend winters in Dubai and summers in Miami. That’s the dream.”

With expansion plans in motion, the next few years promise to be transformative. “I’m planning two more regional clinics and one in Miami,” she reveals. “Beyond that, I want to create global wellness hubs – destinations that blend aesthetics, health, and holistic wellbeing.”

Her eyes light up when she talks about the future. “The next five years are my defining years – the time I’ll push harder than ever before to bring my vision to life.”