OWA Talks Podcast (Carissa and Tatiana)

Definitions of  'networking' have taken on new meaning and relevance over the past two truly tumultuous years since the pandemic began..The idea of networking doesn't need to be intimidating or 'formalized' but an enlightening, uplifting and reassuring way to learn, gain new perspectives about yourself, and what your work means to you . As we look out to 2022, this OWA podcast will talk about new ways to think about the real value of networking, and all of the new tools and resources out there. For newcomers, managers, entrepreneurs, or seasoned execs, today's networking can bring  new relationships and friendships that can build trust, confidence and spur new ideas, too, whether they happen online or IRL. Oh, and we'll talk about OWA ;-)

Marge Axelrad, SVP and Editorial Director of ViMAIL and Vision Monday, at the Jobson Optical GroupShe is also one of the founding members of the Optical Women's Association.,BIO and photo attached!

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Victoria is passionate about giving back and developing others in our industry. In our business and personal lives we are dealing with continual change. Victoria coaches others toward finding their path of happiness to work through circumstances we are faced with. 

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In the current environment for our industry, people that work with and for us are our biggest asset and resource. Jamie and the Shyer family built a culture of getting the best team members, in the right “seat on the bus.“ Having a talented, diverse group of people working in the business is the secret to success. 

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 Dr. Anne-Marie Lahr shares stories of career diversity for women in Optometry. Whether delivering patient care as a practicing OD, teaching, lecturing internationally or research and corporate options, there are many opportunities. Also hear about new technology of “liquid lens” or vectorial refraction. Better 1 or two?! 

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Beginning with a simple post on the company portal, an invitation to join a meeting, and soon after, an interview followed. Now Susan Larsen is off to the races alongside some amazing women to form National Vision’s first Employee Resource Group dedicated to enhancing the lives of women.

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Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us all to rethink how we work together, and how our behaviors and actions have an impact on others. Bidisha will share her personal story on how developing and leveraging soft skills are crucial for a positive and collaborative work environment.

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Ashley Mills is CEO of The Vision Council, the industry association serving as a global voice for eyewear and eyecare that represents companies in diverse segments of the optical industry. Mills will discuss The Vision Council’s efforts to foster a sense of strong community within the industry, curate opportunities for members to connect and forge new relationships and ultimately, promote industry growth.

Additionally, as co-owner of Vision Expo, The Vision Council is busy preparing for Vision Expo West, taking place September 14-17.  Mills will share what to look forward to in 

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Amy Hendrick is the Business Development Manager for GPN Technologies and EDGEPro. Her 15 years experience in the optical industry began at a LASIK surgery center, where she found passion in educating patients on the surgery process, easing their fears and facilitating their life changing surgery. She went on to work in a private practice for 8 years, learning the business and filling almost every role at some point during her tenure. She found joy in educating patients about their eye health, giving personalized care, and making them feel seen and heard. This experience led to her current position with GPN Technologies, where she helps doctors and practice managers clearly understand their business trends and areas of opportunity to increase revenue. In her downtime, Amy enjoys the Virginia Beach coastline with her family and two beloved doggies. 

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As one of 2021’s Most Influential Women in Optical, Dr. Valerie Sheety-Pilon has a rich heritage and background with Optometry and Ophthalmology. Dr. Val joins OWA Talks to chat elevating eye exams and strategic initiatives she is working on with VSP and the industry.

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Sara Osculati, embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that has helped Thélios become a major luxury player in the  eyewear market. Thélios is the eyewear expert within LVMH Group (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), World leader in Luxury with a portfolio of over 75 luxury brands.

Hear Sara talk through her vision of a bright future as Thélios successfully builds on their story in the U.S. market. Sara also shares her best advice for the ladies of the OWA.

Sara Osculati a graduate of Bocconi University in Milan has been working in the Eyewear industry for almost 20 years. Ms. Osculati has held various leadership positions managing large teams, including Eyewear Department Director for Dior from 2012 – 2017. As head of the Dior Eyewear department, Sara’s achievements placed eyewear among the central categories in the Maison’s strategy, federating all stakeholders from Creative Direction to Retail, on the importance of this category as a powerful tool in Business Development. 

As Chief Brand & Product Officer for Thélios since 2017, Ms. Osculati is counted among the founding members of Thélios. Along with the co-founders, she built up the company from scratch, bringing in her unique expertise in the luxury eyewear industry. Sara has responsibility for a large team composed of brand management, design, communication, retail management and product development. Additionally, Sara oversees the partnerships with all the Maisons in Thélios

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As we launch 2023 Daniel Wakefield, renowned photographer chats reflecting your personal brand in a business profile. Hear the importance of capturing genuine expression to best present the face you show the business world. Daniel also chats thoughts on capturing video content to use in ever-changing marketing needs.

About the guest: Daniel Wakefield, Owner/Photographer of Top-Tier Headshots, started life in Canada but lived in several areas in the U.S. growing up. Daniel and his wife Bethany moved to south Florida in 2015, and it was there that his passion for wildlife photography was born. Daniel's wildlife work has been published in several books and magazines, and he has won awards in several prestigious wildlife photography competitions, including Top 100 in Audubon Bird Photography, 2018, and Top 15 in Africa Geographic Photographer of the Year, 2020.
Daniel is renowned for his skill in photographing people and capturing genuine expression. Early in his photographic journey, Daniel recognized that people often have very forced expressions when you tell them to "smile." However, when the photographer can get people to relax in front of the camera, not only do they enjoy the experience more, they also come away with images that showcase their genuine expressions.
This interest in capturing genuine expression was heightened when Daniel began training with Peter Hurley and his Headshot crew. Peter is widely considered to be the best headshot photographer in the world, and learning from him took Daniel's headshot photography to the next level. Daniel is an Associate Photographer of Peter Hurley and a two-time Headshot of the Week winner. In July 2022, Daniel Wakefield opened his brand-new commercial studio in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Daniel lives in Deerfield Beach, Florida with Bethany and their four beautiful children.

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Alysse Henkel of The Vision Council shares differentiation points on Market inSights from other industry tools. Launched in December, our co-hosts chat the report learnings with Alysse and hear about Vision Council prep ahead of Vision Expo East.

About the guest: Alysse is responsible for establishing data management systems and policies to enable complex analysis of large data sets, developing robust market modeling sources and systems, and communicating relevant insights that can contribute to actionable and strategic business recommendations.
An experienced researcher and evaluator who works with leaders to help them make data-driven decisions, Henkel launched her career at Goodwill Industries International, where she spent 10 years leading efforts to overhaul the organization’s national data collection and reporting systems and creating new opportunities to analyze the impact of the organization’s programs and services. More recently, she was selected as a Data Fellow with the Strategic Data Project at the Center for Education Policy and Research at Harvard University. During the two-year fellowship, she worked with an urban school district to help build their data analysis capacity and improve their data visualization and reporting. 
Henkel holds an undergraduate degree in anthropology, sociology, and German from Lafayette College and a master’s degree in public policy from George Washington University.

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Throughout her career, Sherianne James has worked with household brands, including some of the most recognized brands in the world. As chief marketing officer and senior vice president of Wholesale Marketing at EssilorLuxottica North America, Sherianne works with the most recognized brands in our industry. Join us to learn more about the importance of growing recognized, trusted brands – including your own.

About the guest: Sherianne James is an accomplished leader with over 25 years of marketing experience. She leads EssilorLuxottica's combined commercial marketing efforts across North America, including both its eyewear and lens brands.
Sherianne started her career at Kraft Foods, where she managed several iconic consumer brands such as Kraft Singles. After Kraft, she led the marketing organization of Black & Decker Small Appliances. She came into the optical industry by way of Transitions, leading the marketing organization through the integration with Essilor and eventually becoming CMO of Essilor of America in 2017. Sherianne has been a board member of The Vision Council since 2018 and has been named twice to Vision Monday's "Most Influential Women in Optical" list.

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Are you looking to develop a sustainable career while also achieving balance in your life? Join us for this month's podcast, where we'll discuss the challenges a lot of busy women face in today’s fast-paced world. Discover powerful strategies to shape a more satisfying career and to stay on top of your craft. We'll explore how intentional leadership, networking, and professional development can help you achieve your goals. Make the most of your time and develop a plan that will help you thrive both professionally and personally.

About the guest: Kristen Tischler is an accomplished leader with over 15 years of professional experience. She is currently the Vice President of Global Marketing for Advancing Eyecare, managing many of the most trusted brands in ophthalmic instrumentation.
Kristen began her career working for a prominent ad agency in New York City, building digital marketing programs for companies such as SC Johnson and Zipcar. She went on to hold a series of marketing roles in the financial services sector, including investment banking, financial technology, and wealth management.
Kristen joined the optical industry in 2017 with Lombart Instrument and Innova Medical. Since then, she has successfully integrated several additional leading equipment brands including Marco Ophthalmic, Ophthalmic Instruments, Santinelli International, and others—collectively known as Advancing Eyecare. With a passion for digital marketing, she launched e-commerce, email marketing, paid search, search engine optimization, digital consumer engagement, and lead generation activities across the organization.
As the Vice President of Global Marketing, she now manages an international team supporting ophthalmic equipment brands across the Americas. She is passionate about building performance-based teams and fostering an adaptive culture through collaboration, innovation, and continuous growth. Kristen was named as one of Vision Monday's "Most Influential Women in Optical" in 2022.
She currently lives in Virginia Beach with her husband, Chris, young son, and rescue pup. Kristen spends her free time staying active through Crossfit, running, and sand volleyball competitions. She is a former collegiate and professional athlete, and volunteers year-round for her favorite non-profit supporting the health and wellness of first responders.

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Are you looking to enhance your eyewear business and connect with customers in a meaningful way? This month we delve into the world of content strategy and its critical role in the optical industry. Keri Sculland of Marketing4ECPs will provide valuable insights and practical tips on how effective content can shape your brand image, foster community, and create patient buy-in and customer loyalty.

About the guest: Keri Sculland is the manager of editing and content strategy at Marketing4ECPs. As a content and communications specialist, Keri has published countless educational and academic articles in the past decade—which is how she discovered her special interest in the eye care industry.
Her passion for educating and connecting audiences has developed into creating cohesive content strategies to reflect personalized content branding that yields authentic, effective results.

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Janna shares her career journey from a receptionist working part time while in college to an executive with the same company, (Zyloware) In the current environment with more people moving companies to move ahead, learn how we can create opportunities and advance our careers. Janna also discusses some exciting initiatives happening with OWA.

About the guest: Janna Neal is the Senior Vice President of Operations for Zyloware Eyewear, where her duties change drastically from day to day. Known as being cool, calm, and collected, Janna works with leadership teams to formulate policies, manage operations, and plan for the company's overall success.
Janna is a current member of the Optical Women's Association Board of Directors and was one of Vision Mondays 'Most Influential Woman' in the Mentor Category in 2018.
Janna graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Business; after majoring for two years in graphic design at New York Institute of Technology, she realized that she gravitated more to the behind-the-scenes operations of a business. She spends her spare time reading (hard cover books), watching crime shows, and has recently discovered a love for yoga (the quietness is so soothing!). She is learning to be a plant mama but admits she hasn't quite mastered that yet . . . .

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Robin Brush, Training and Education Manager Safilo North America chats with OWA Talks about her journey from Optician to requesting the ten minute meeting with an executive that changed her career. Tune in for a passionate personal story that Robin shares with listeners on translating her critical communication skills and honing your craft to educate others. Visualize your goals and realize your dreams!

About the guest: Robin Brush is the Training and Education Manager for Safilo North America, and her role supports both  the company's internal sales organization and its external customers.  As an ABO speaker, Robin provides educational seminars on a variety of topics directly to Safilo accounts and at trade shows, including Vision Expos East and West.  Many of her webinars and training sessions are featured on mysafilo.com and on mysafilo.com/CA, Safilo's b2b websites for North America.
An ABO-certified optician, Robin has worked in optical for the last 28 years, with a focus and purpose of educating and leading others to see their true potential.  In 2018, Robin decided to "switch sides", and joined Safilo as a Key Account Manager.  From there, her keen ability to educate and inspire others helped her transition to the newly created role of Training and Education Manager.
During the early stages of the COVID shutdown, while optical practices were either closed or operating on a limited schedule, Robin created and led a very successful and extensive educational webinar series on a variety of topics ranging from successful frame buying and visual merchandising to managing frame return rates and inventory analysis. Robin's webinar series was translated into three languages and made available to Safilo's customers globally, largely due to customer demand for her expertise in these areas.  In recognition of her leadership, Robin was honored as one of Vision Monday's Most Influential Women in Optical in 2021.

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A life of Service: Dr. Jill Saxon talks with new OWA Talks co-hosts, Tatiana and Carissa, about her journey in the industry. Through a career in optometry and her service in the US Navy, Dr. Saxon has made a meaningful impact on the world. Listen to this inspirational episode to hear Dr. Saxon’s story, drawing from family members in Optometry and private practice to her role as Executive Director, Professional Strategy at Bausch + Lomb.

About our guest: Dr. Jill Saxon, an optometrist and fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, is the Executive Director of Professional Strategy at Bausch + Lomb. Dr. Saxon first joined Bausch + Lomb in 2014 and has almost two decades of experience in optometry. She is a distinguished lecturer, exceptional provider of patient care, and an established industry leader.
In her current role at Bausch + Lomb, Dr. Saxon is responsible for helping to develop and launch new vision care innovations for eye care professionals. As the company's internal voice, she works with doctors to bring solutions to the marketplace that help address their patients' needs. She also shares industry insights and education with colleagues and fellow optometrists nationwide.
Dr. Saxon first began her career as a Lieutenant at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, where she cared for many of the nation's leaders. Throughout this time, she also mentored, educated, and trained optometry students. Directly following her time in the Navy, she was an independent optometrist. It was during this time that she learned of an opportunity to join Bausch + Lomb, where she helps thousands of providers around the world provide better care for their patients.
She is a member of the Armed Forces Optometric Society, the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians, and the American Optometric Association.

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Join us for a special episode of OWA Talks as we ‘turn the mic’ and get the story behind the story from our hosts. Outgoing co-hosts Sandra and Stephanie pass the baton to new co-hosts, Tatiana Stewart and Carissa Dunphy, but not before they share all the tantalizing behind the scenes details of their experience and interview Carissa and Tatiana as they start their new journey with OWA Talks.

About the new hosts:
Carissa Dunphy, ABOC, is a Marketing Specialist at Professional Eye Care Associates of America (PECAA) where she promotes the business needs for more than 12,000 independent eye care professionals nationwide. Carissa has passionately worked in the independent ECP space since 2008, and founded Optician Now, which provides educational resources and optical expertise. As the Vice-Chair of the OWA's Communications and Website Committee, and now the OWA Talks co-host, she is thrilled to further contribute to the future growth and collaboration within the industry.

Tatiana Stewart is the Public Relations Supervisor at VSP Vision, where she leads the organization's Public Relations Team and sets media strategies that will enhance VSP Vision's brand presence and strengthen its position as a national leader in health-focused eye care. With 15 years' experience coaching and training executives and C-suite leaders on how to work with and communicate with the press corps, Tatiana makes a great addition to the OWA Talks Podcast. She has a passion for storytelling and a reporter's curiosity. As co-host, she looks forward to asking the right questions to learn the things OWA members want to know from some of the optical industry's top leaders.

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In this episode of OWA Talks, we hear from Michelle Skinner, Chief Growth Officer at VSP Vision. Michelle outlines her ‘Three C’s’ approach to leadership and explains how to use this approach to navigate change, foster growth and plan for the future in uncertain times.

About our guest: Michelle Skinner leads a centralized, doctor-facing sales organization for VSP Vision, an eye health company with 85 million members and more than 41,000 network doctors. In her role as Chief Growth Officer, Michelle oversees supply chain revenue, provider relations, strategic partnerships, PECAA (a doctor alliance group), and Premier Edge, the company's flagship program for providers.

Michelle holds a bachelor's degree from California State University, Sacramento, and was named one of Vision Monday's "Most Influential Women in Optical" in 2009 and 2016. She has been married for almost 30 years and has two kids. She lives in Sacramento, California, and in her free time, enjoys long-distance running.

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Tracy Neal, Director of Customer Support, GPN Technologies talks to our co-hosts about motivating and cheerleading teams to not only produce output, but on how to thrive personally and professionally. Creating goals and challenging yourself to work outside of your comfort zone is a skill Tracy has honed in her more than 33 year career in optical. Listen to this episode to hear Tracy’s enthusiastic perspective on leading teams to greatness vs simply managing to goals.

About our guest: Tracy Neal has been in the optical industry for more than 33 years. She has worked in all areas of optometric practice, from working the front desk to being an optometric technician to being Practice Manager with her COPT. Now, with GPN Technologies since 2020, Tracy is the Director of Customer Support. She has been an active member of the OWA since 2021 and enjoys being on their Communications & Website Committee.

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It’s a new year and OWA Talks is kicking 2024 off with a bang by featuring a very special guest, newly inducted OWA President, Dr. Lorie Lippiatt! In this episode, Dr. Lippiatt shares her unique journey within the OWA, her inspiring vision for the OWA’s future during her term as President, and exciting musings she has on different career ‘stages.’

About our guest: Lorie Lippiatt, OD is a 1988 graduate of The Ohio State University, College of Optometry. She founded The Salem Eyecare Center, Inc. in 1989, and remained owner and President for 33 years before partnering with MyEyeDr. in 2021. Dr. Lippiatt was instrumental in the development of electronic medical records for optometrists and technology integration, lecturing nationally on these topics while consulting for numerous companies in the industry. Dr. Lippiatt joined the Optical Women's Association in 2004, and has been a board member since 2013, prior to her presidency in 2023. Dr. Lippiatt currently resides in Ohio and Florida, and enjoys optometry, greenhouse gardening, pickleball, and spending time with her dog, Betty Boop.

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With a mother who worked as a nurse, Dr. Sukaromya, knew from a young age she wanted to help people. Listen to this episode of ‘OWA Talks’ to her about incredible passion to help people, patients, and the industry at large. She also shares her insights on owning her own practice, staffing shortages, navigating times of change and participating in optometric missions to Granada, El Salvador, and Mexico.

About our guest: Dr. Sarvitree Sukaromya has been practicing optometry in Kansas City, MO since 2006. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Rockhurst University, she completed her Doctorate of Optometry degree from the University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry. She has experience in owning her own practice and has participated in optometric missions to Granada, El Salvador, and Mexico. For the past 14 years, she has been an Associate Optometrist for America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Three of those years she was an Area Doctor of the Kansas City Market with assigned Doctors to her. During that time, she maintained clinical care standards, provided supplemental training support when new equipment and electronic health records were implemented, and fostered effective communication amongst the Doctors and the staff for efficiency. Her areas of interest are primary eye care and contact lenses.
When not seeing patients, Dr. Sukaromya serves as the Communications Coordinator on the Missouri Optometric Association staff in Jefferson City, Missouri. She has been in this role since August 2023 encouraging Doctors of Optometry in private and corporate practice to advocate for the profession. She keeps association member Doctors informed of the latest on scope of practice discussions, upcoming continuing education events and highlighting member Doctors in their practices.
She was a recent graduate of the American Optometric Association Leadership Institute 2.0, November 2023. She was also a Featured Leader in Women of Optometry in an article Moving the Profession Forward, November 2023.
Dr. Sukaromya and her husband, Clifton, have two sons, Julian and Braxton, and the loving memory of their daughter, Olive. In her spare time, she likes getting her hands dirty in the garden and corralling her growing number of pets.
She is a member of the Optometric Society of Greater Kansas City, Missouri Optometric Association, American Optometric Association and as of this year 2024, the Optical Women's Association!

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ClearVision Optical is a second-generation family-owned independent leader in the eyewear industry. Join us in this episode where we chat with not one, but three members of the Clear Vision family and discuss the values that have allowed the company to endure for 75 years.

About our guests:
David Friedfeld is President of ClearVision Optical, one of the largest family-owned eyewear distributors in North America. David provides vision and leadership to all areas within the ClearVision organization. Under his guidance, ClearVision has received countless honors and accolades from both the eyewear industry and the business community. David has appeared on several internet radio shows including The Growth Strategist, The CEO Show, and Power Hour and is a featured speaker at many industry-related events and functions. David has been a tremendous advocate for the implementation of 3D printing into the product development cycle at ClearVision. An avid new media follower, David strongly embraces new and innovative technology while remaining committed to meeting the needs of customers in today's ever-changing technological landscape. David loves reading and running and spending time with his wife Vicki and children Luke, Faith, Jake and Sam.

Mimi Friedfeld began her career with ClearVision Optical in 1968. Over the years, she managed the accounting and personnel departments and contributed to design of the company's fashionable eyewear products. She helped her beloved husband Fred Friedfeld, the company founder, grow the family-run business from a small regional wholesaler to one of today's most respected leading optical distribution companies. She is an icon in the industry and recognized for her leadership and mentorship with the OWA Pleiades Award in 2005. She's been an active member of the OWA since its inception. Mimi loves reading, art, theater, and spending time with all her children and grandchildren.

Liz Friedfeld leads ClearVision's business development department and responsible for growing strategic partnerships and optimizing lead generation. As a subject matter expert and CVO ambassador, Liz travels as a speaker on market trends, customer service excellence, and building a winning culture. Liz sits on the Board of the Optical Women Association co-chairing the Membership Committee. Under her stewardship, the OWA has seen a surge in membership with a record-breaking year in '23. Liz was recognized as One of the Most Influential Women in Optical and awarded an OWA Leadership Scholarship Award. Liz recently completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher training certification in January 2024 and loves traveling with her husband Eric and children Sophie, Daniel and Izzy.

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Dr. Brianna Rhue talks with our co-hosts about scaling a business and everything along the journey. Going from an Optometrist to a woman in tech, building the 41st fastest growing company, to purchasing a practice and the hurdles to overcome. Hear how the patient / doctor relationship is so important in healthcare and when not understanding the business side, giving away our leverage. Understanding delegation, what your team wants and is looking for in a leader and how to bounce between it all as a wife, mom, business owner and entrepreneur. Learn how to go into exhibit halls and understand the value beyond the CE lectures.

About the guest: Brianna Rhue, OD, FAAO, FSLS,  earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona before earning her Doctorate of Optometry at Nova Southeastern University. She completed her residency at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami and is the owner of West Broward Eyecare in South Florida. 
Dr. Rhue is passionate about healthcare technology, myopia management, specialty contact lens fits and practice management. She enjoys sharing her love for technology and myopia management through speaking engagements to help optometrists understand business, technology and new areas of care to help all parties involved. 
Dr. Rhue is the co-founder of Dr. Contact Lens which made the INC 5000 list as the 41st fastest growing company in the US and TechifEYE. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, playing tennis, standing on her head in yoga and traveling.

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In this episode, OWA Talks is joined by Barbara De Rigo of De Rigo Vision SPA. Listen as we discuss YALEA, an exciting De Rigo house brand, created and launched in collaboration with our guest, that promotes contemporary women and seeks to help enhance their personal growth and empowerment.

About the guest: Barbara De Rigo was born in Cortina d' Ampezzo and, after graduating as a Parliamentary Interpreter in Bologna, she moved to Milan where she studied Foreign Languages and Literature. Her professional career in the family business began in 1993 in Germany at the Group's first branch, and, as of 1994, continued at the Foreign Trade Department at the company headquarters in Longarone. 
After eight years of commercial experience, her love for the various house brands saw her enter the Marketing sphere, where she worked, more specifically, with Police, Sting and Lozza - brands that thereafter became her passion and personal mission, dedicating herself exclusively to their strategy and development. 
Over the years, Barbara personally followed numerous collaborations with celebrities and artists (George Clooney, Antonio Banderas, David Beckham, Michael Schumacher, Mika, Gabriel Batistuta, Neymar and Lewis Hamilton, and many Italian artists including Marco Mengoni, Fedez, Francesco Renga, Tommaso Paradiso and Leo Gassman, to name but a few), in addition to co-branding activities with fashion houses and prestigious brands (Disney, Maserati, Yamamay, Pininfarina, Cirque du Soleil, FILA and Philosophy).
She is also at the helm of the following corporate social and environmental responsibility projects, which she has followed with passion every step of the way:  ‘Lookbeyond’ to mark Police’s 30th anniversary in support of Doctors Without Borders; the book and comic ‘IntereSTING’ on occasion of Sting's 30th anniversary in collaboration with charity S.O.S. Children's Villages; the collaboration between Sting and Save the Planet, the non-profit association that develops and promotes projects to safeguard the environment.
In 2018, on occasion of the company's 40th anniversary, the Fondazione De Rigo H.E.ART Onlus was founded, aimed at supporting young people so that they can enjoy inalienable rights to health and education, also stimulating the development of their individual personalities through artistic and cultural activities. Barbara is the President and passionately dedicates a great deal of time to this special project.
In 2020, Barbara became Chief Marketing Officer at De Rigo, assuming responsibility for the Group's entire Marketing and Communication structure. 
In 2021 she contributes to the creation and launch of Yalea, the fourth and new company house brand. An important project intended to enrich the Group’s portfolio with a brand which aims to promote contemporary women by supporting their freedom of choice, encouraging their talent and rewarding their personal beauty. A brand which combines the cause of women globally and in a tangible way with virtuous projects dedicated to their empowerment.
Barbara tries to best reconcile her business tasks with her private life. She and her husband, Maurizio Dessolis - Executive Vice Ch

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This month's visitors are three chairpersons from the Digital Marketing Committee, who provide us with insider knowledge on their committee's inner workings. Chair Kerri Ann Raimo, Vice-Chair Reagan Colpitts, and Associate Chair Kayla Ashlee detail how their committee serves the OWA by connecting authentically through digital channels, what members may not know, and how YOU can help improve the OWA's social presence. Our guests share how they stay on top of marketing trends, digital marketing tools they use, and what the OWA's social followers can look forward to. Additionally, we hear favorite stories they've told throughout their marketing careers and invaluable leadership advice.

About our guests:

Kerri Ann Raimo is the managing editor of Eyecare Business and Contact Lens Spectrum magazines published by BroadcastMed. She serves on the board of directors of the Optical Women’s Association (OWA) and as chair of the OWA’s Digital Marketing Committee.
 
Reagan Colpitts is the Senior Business Development Manager at Safilo spearheading go-to-market strategics for the North American Sales Team while also leading Buying Groups & Strategics Alliances in the USA.
With 15 years of leadership experience, she has dedicated the last 10 years in the optical industry and  has held various roles including being a sales representative, business consultant and Regional Sales  Manager.
In 2022 she was honored with the Most Influential Women in Optical designation through Vision Monday and most recently was awarded the Optical Women’s Leadership Scholarship in Spring of 2024.  She currently volunteers as the co-vice chair on the Digital Marketing Committee with the Optical Women’s Association.
 
Kayla Ashlee is the CEO & founder of Spexy, an international optometric speaker, a certified optician, and an optometric renegade. Her direct and relatable approach to training has set her apart in the optical industry. Kayla took her knowledge of industry coaching and adapted it to reach any eyecare office that is hungry to grow by putting her training in an online video learning platform called  Spexy® The result, she and her team train opticals how to give a sensational experience to their patients  and it is transforming the patient relationship with their optical in a powerful way.  

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The secret to marketing your business is YOU! Hear from our guest in this episode on how to style your way to success.

About the guest:  An award-winning licensed optician, Wendy is also an image consultant and optical sales trainer.
After a 10-year opticianry career, Wendy retired from the traditional brick and mortar optical shop and created a new mobile optical service; she launched Perceptions Eyewear in 1997 and never looked back!
Honored as a "Trailblazing Woman in Optical", Wendy designed the Spec Style system as her sales styling process to help her mobile eyewear boutique succeed. She went on to thrive by closing 99% of her eyewear styling consults and increasing multi-pair sales to 80%.
A serial entrepreneur, Wendy is the creative force behind Be Spectacular, a training company offering online courses and bespoke training for optical businesses world-wide.

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Pushing Boundaries & Being Your Own Champion: Often times, women who are driven and successful tend to avoid highlighting their own accomplishments. In this episode, OWA Talks is joined Mary Jones, Senior Manager of Professional Business Development at Zyloware. Follow along as we discuss with Mary why it is so important to be your own champion and to highlight your own accomplishments.

About the guest: 
Mary is an expert in the optical field. With over 20 years of experience in the optical industry, Mary’s journey is a testament to her passion and commitment to excellence.
Mary’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and a deep understanding of the intricacies of the business have played a crucial role in shaping the company's professional business development strategies. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving growth and fostering strong relationships with partners and clients. Mary's ability to combine strategic thinking with a personable approach has set her apart as a leader who truly cares about the success of her team and the satisfaction of her clients.
Mary’s ability to connect with people on a personal level has earned her the respect and admiration of colleagues and clients alike. She embodies the spirit of hospitality and warmth, making every interaction a pleasant and memorable experience.
Mary is a mom to three boys, one stepdaughter, and three Doodles. She is also a proud grandmother (AKA Boujee) to 1 ½ year old granddaughter Lilah. Mary’s hobbies include family, fitness, and outdoors.

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The True Value of a Healthy Workplace Culture: In this episode, OWA Talks is joined by Cheryl Moore, HR Director at GPN Technologies. Listen as we discuss the importance of a strong workplace culture with a seasoned HR expert. We’ll hear tips on how to positively impact the culture around you and what to do if you’re not happy about the current culture where you work. 

About the guest:
Cheryl is the Director of Human Resources at GPN Technologies. She joined the company in 2012 and has worked in some aspect of the eyecare industry her entire career. Cheryl has held positions in almost every area of an optometric office, including front desk, pre-testing, office management, optical and insurance. She has also worked with optical software companies on the development of Practice Management Systems.

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Sophia is contagiously happy, oh so colorful and calling her an eyewear enthusiast would be an understatement. In this episode, we discuss the importance of continued learning and being your authentic self, "It is important to invest in yourself and push yourself to greatness." 

About the guest:
Sophia Pray is the Office Manager and head Optician at Huntley Eye Care, Transitions Change Agent, INVISION Brain Squad panelist and OWA Member. Connect with Sophia on LinkedIn or Instagram @FoxySofa.

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Tiara Claxton, former OWA President and Regional Sales Manager at Thélios, gives us the behind-the-scenes tea on Silmo, the early days at OWA, the Past-President's Retreat and more! 

About the guest:
Tiara Claxton is a dynamic leader in the luxury eyewear industry with over 30 years of expertise in brand and sales management. Recognized internationally, she is deeply committed to advancing the industry, fueled by an entrepreneurial mindset. Tiara leads with empathy, empowering high-performing sales teams to achieve lasting commercial impact and build sustainable relationships across the North American market. As a strategic thinker, she consistently surpasses both personal and company goals, delivering exceptional results.

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In this episode, we learn how to “PIVOT!” Colleen Arbus teaches us the value of being able to pivot both personally and professionally. She also shares tips and tricks for how to apply sales techniques in your everyday life. 

About the guest:
Colleen Arbus, National Sales Director, INNOVA Medical Ophthalmics, at Advancing Eyecare.
Results-driven multiple award-winning leader with a strong background in
ophthalmology surgical and capital sales, sales management, marketing, training, and recruitment. Proven track record of driving revenue growth and expanding market presence. Skilled in strategic planning, team leadership, and cultivating strong client relationships. Known for adaptability and a collaborative approach in achieving organizational goals. Proficient in sales forecasting, market analysis, and effective negotiation techniques.

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Kristy Stone, Director of Member Education at PECAA and OWA Membership Committee representative, provides insight into the importance of education within the industry, what she is most proud of, and what the Membership Committee is all about. 

About the guest: 
Kristy started her optical career as an optometric technician and worked her way up to area manager, working in all facets of a multiple location eye care practice. While maintaining true to her optometry roots, she is now the Director of Member Education at Professional Eye Care Associates of America (PECAA), where she has been assisting members with their educational needs for four years. 

She is an avid OWA member who proudly serves on our Membership Committee where she works to spread awareness of the OWA and help prospective members with any questions. Additionally, Kristy was a 2024 Most Influential Women in Optical honoree.

While not busy planning webinars, CE events, and the PECAA Annual Meeting, Kristy can be found playing board games with her husband Chip, spoiling her French Bulldog Andre, traveling or attending concerts.

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This episode features three women from the newly formed International Expansion Committee — we hear how their careers were shaped, major differences in corporate culture abroad, and learn about all the exciting ways the OWA is going international!

About the guests:

Nancy Gries grew up in a small farming community in Wisconsin, and by the age of 17, was dreaming of exploring the world. With the encouragement of my supportive parents, she completed high school and joined a foreign exchange program in Brazil, inspiring her to continue studies in the UK, where she eventually began her career in optics in 1993—a career she's been passionate about ever since. 
In 2015, she took a leap of faith and founded her first brand, which eventually led to COTI Vision, a joint initiative with her business partner, Julie. Their breakthrough moment came in 2019 when they appeared on Dragon’s Den (UK version of Shark Tank), introducing COTI Vision to the world, which was a whirlwind experience that gave them the visibility and momentum to transform their vision into a thriving lifestyle brand. Today, COTI Vision operates in both the UK and Italy, sourcing globally. Being a member of the Optical Women’s Association since 2015 has given Nancy even more purpose to advocate for and celebrate women in every aspect of life and has fueled my passion for uplifting women and celebrating their stories.

Erminia Monzo is a passionate professional with more than 12 years-experience in the optical industry, who has covered multiple roles across business planning, trade marketing, marketing and is now responsible for defining the global marketing strategy as well as the Markets Educational Strategy for Leonardo, EssilorLuxottica learning ecosystem. Erminia holds a MSc in International Management, from both Bocconi University, Italy, and the Indian Institute of Management of Ahmedabad, India. She officially joined the OWA in 2024 and is part of the International Expansion Committee.

Agathe Zakarian is a French-German communications executive based in Paris.
As Head of Corporate Communications at Thélios, she leads global communication strategies and corporate brand initiatives for the eyewear entity of LVMH. Before joining the eyewear industry, she built her expertise in the sporting goods and fashion sectors, shaping corporate narratives and brand positioning.
Agathe holds a Master’s degree from Sciences Po Paris. She has been a member of the Optical Women’s Association since 2022 and actively contributes to its International Expansion Committee.

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We talk a little about what this podcast is all about and meet the hosts of the new OWA Talks Podcast, Stephanie and Sandra! 

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OWA Visionary Award Winner, Sheena Taff, stops by to share the new changes to expect at Vision Expo East. She goes over the new neighborhoods and gives us her best Vision Expo East tips! 

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Sandra and Stephanie interview Dr. Millicent Knight about all things optometry. We dive into her start into the field and talk a little bit about where things are going to go moving forward. 

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On today's episode, we sit down and chat with President and CEO of De Rigo REM, Alessandro Baronti. He walks us through what we should be doing now for our optical businesses and looks into the future and how to reopen. 

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If you are like every business owner, executive or sales person, when the lockdown happened you understood how important it was to be able to connect virtually to your patients and customers. Now virtual and digital communications are the norm. Connecting, networking and selling online will be the way of the future. What do you need to do to build a personal and business profile and where should you start?

Trudi Charest co-founded Marketing4ecps, a digital marketing agency focused on building digital advertising for optometrists, opticians, and ophthalmologists, in 2015. She is well known for designing, developing, and facilitating training and marketing programs for eyecare professionals across North America.

Trudi is a licensed optician with over 25 years of extensive eyecare experience. She also holds a Human Resource Management certificate from the University of Calgary. Her background includes corporate training in optical retail, territory management for Bausch & Lomb, clinical consulting with Optos, and the position of Vice President of Marketing & Training for Eye Recommend, one of Canada's leading optometric buying groups.

She is an international speaker, author, industry consultant, and business innovator.

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COVID-19 has forced the delivery of health care to change. The return to our clinics requires new rituals and a significant shift in our patient interactions. One of our major goals is to avoid infection and prevent the spread of infection, which requires minimal talking, covered faces, and short visits. How can we maintain our relationship with our patients? What is the value of our words, our facial expressions? These are the questions to be answered in this pandemic world of eye care.

Barbara Caffery, OD, PhD, FAAO, graduated from the New England College of Optometry in 1977. She currently serves as the President of the American Academy of Optometry and is on the Medical Advisory panel of the Sjogren’s Society of Canada. 

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The world is dealing with a pandemic and our nation is faced with yet another challenge creating division, anger and frustration. We witnessed a man, George Floyd, die on social media. His death was followed by rioting and looting across our nation. These events broke our hearts. Many felt the need to do something. Some marched in protest. Others expressed their feelings on social media.

I turned to create OWA's "Food for Thought: Where food breaks down barriers and brings us all to the table." My vision for this platform is to welcome everyone to the table to share and experience our differences in culture, heritage and family traditions through food. As we prepare our food with love to share and nourish one another, our healing can begin.

Dr. Beverly Bianes completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego, and in 1991 received her Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern California College of Optometry. She was the recipient of the Bernell Clinical Excellence award. Soon after graduation, she started a private practice in San Diego with her husband, Dr. John Pack and opened a second location two years later. Dr. Bianes was an active board member of the San Diego Optometric Society where she held the position of Professional Affairs for 5 years and was a member of Vision Source for 20 years. She is currently the Director of Charitable Outreach for Total Vision LLC, a private equity company that acquired their practices 2 years ago.

Dr. Bianes has a passion for giving back to both her local community as well as to communities abroad. She has participated in several medical mission trips to the Philippines and has provided free exams and glasses to the underserved in her local community. Her efforts have been recognized by community leaders such as Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez and by organizations such as the South County Economic Development Council and the Military Employer Support League. She was featured in "20/20" magazine for providing free services and materials to homeless transitional adult youth. Dr. Bianes joined the OWA in 2019 and is the creator of the new virtual event series known as "Coffee Break…connecting one sip at a time." She is a member of American Optometric Association, the California Optometric Association, and the San Diego County Optometric Society.

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Today, now more than ever, staying on top of current fashion + eyewear trends can give you an edge in your work in the eyewear industry. Join Erinn Morgan, Eyecare Business magazine's Editor-in-Chief + Editorial Director, to get the quick lowdown on the season's three most enticing, on-trend, and saleable eyewear trends—plus the key fashion trends they align with. She'll also share a snapshot of recovery trends in the optical market plus tips and strategies for success in today's new world.

Erinn Morgan has been covering the business and fashion trends of the optical industry for over 20 years. With a B.A. in Fashion Merchandising from Philadelphia University and a Master's Degree in Journalism from Temple University, she got her start as the Managing Editor of Accessories magazine and quickly moved on to become the Founding Editor-in-Chief of FrameBuyer magazine, published by Eyecare Business and recipient of several FOLIO magazine awards. She was then brought on to 20/20 magazine as Editor-in-Chief overseeing the launch of 2020mag.com.

After several years at Jobson, she moved over to work as the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning SoHo Style, a cutting-edge magazine that focused on the culture and style of downtown New York City. Erinn is also the author of the book Picture Yourself Going Green, the founder of the fitness- and health-focused blog WomensMovement.com, and her written work has appeared in The New York Times, National Geographic Adventure, Outside magazine, Skiing, and Bike.

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2020 was a year of many unexpected twists and turns. At the start of the pandemic, many of us were left asking....what does this all mean? When will it end? Is life ever going back to normal? The lack of certainty day to day left us feeling overwhelmed, stressed and anxious. And I knew I wanted to help. 

The 30in30 challenge was designed as a social networking outreach effort. To create new connections during an unprecedented time and to help those new connections navigate uncertainty and emerge on the other side with a greater sense of clarity and calm.

To get things going, I tapped 30 colleagues in my network and asked them to introduce me to 30 people in theirs who could benefit from professional support. Whether it was careers in transition, personal branding or strategic business questions and thought partnership - no problem was too big to tackle together. And the urgency was there to make an impact, fast. So the goal became 30 new connections in 30 days. 

What started as a relatively small outreach, became much larger than I could have imagined. And the result? Meaningful connections that yielded positivity in an otherwise uncertain time.

Holly has nearly 30 years of leadership experience building strong consumer brands with well-known global companies such as Luxottica, L’Oreal and the Gillette Company. Most recently, she served as CEO for Costa del Mar, a cult brand of performance sunglasses and was previously, President of Luxottica Wholesale North America. In addition to nearly a decade in the Optical Industry, she has deep leadership experience in the Beauty, Fashion, Luxury and Outdoor sectors.

She is a people and culture-first leader who is passionate about defining organizational purpose, galvanizing teams and developing next-gen leaders, especially women. She is also an active mentor, public speaker and non-profit board member.

Along with her husband and two (now teenage!) children, she resides in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

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According to the 2020 McKinsey Women in the Workplace study, 865,000 women left the workforce last month, compared to only 216,000 men. Today, more than 1 in 4 women are contemplating downgrading their careers or exiting the workforce entirely.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the choices working women are having to make, America is at a turning point, where companies now risk losing not just women in general, but women in leadership positions and future female leaders, reversing years of progress towards gender diversity in our workforces.

How did we get here, and how can executive leaders create opportunity from crisis by purposely designing a more flexible and empathetic workplace in order to retain female staff, while also nurturing a culture in which women have equal opportunities to find their footing in today's climate?

David Friedfeld is President of ClearVision Optical, one of the largest family-owned eyewear distributors in North America. Based in Hauppauge, New York, ClearVision designs and distributes eyewear and sunwear for 12 distinctive brands.

David provides vision and leadership to all areas within the ClearVision organization. Under his guidance, ClearVision has received countless honors and accolades from both the eyewear industry and the business community. David has appeared on several internet radio shows, including The Growth Strategist, The CEO Show, and Power Hour. He is also a featured speaker at many industry-related events and functions.

As an organization, ClearVision has been named one of the Best Companies to Work for in New York State for five years, most recently in 2020. CVO has also been recognized by New York SmartCEO as a 2016 Family Business Awards honoree. Additionally, Clearvision was recognized at the 2016 Stevie Awards for Sales and Customer service, receiving 2 gold and 2 silver awards, and is also ranked as one of the top five suppliers in the U.S. by Jobson Research.

In his spare time, David enjoys reading and running. He and his wife, Vicki, live on Long Island and have four children — Jake, Sam, Faith, and Lucas. Connect with David on Twitter and Instagram @OpticalBuddy.

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Ever wonder how optical trade magazines ACTUALLY work? Join Dee Carroll, editor-in-chief of INVISION and longtime optical editor, for a no holds barred, fully transparent conversation on the behind-the-scenes nitty gritty on what gets in, what gets left on the editing floor … and why. She will address misconceptions about how trade magazines work, and how INVISION magazine – and the other optical trade magazines you know by name – function as a business, including the necessary role advertising plays. She’ll address frequently asked questions about the America’s Finest Optical Retailers contest and how the entire industry can get involved in it, what makes the cover, and how INVISION comes up with the stories it runs, as well as how listeners and readers can see their name in print. 

DEE BIO:

Deirdre (pronounced DARE-dree) Carroll started her career in magazines 20 years ago. For the last 15, Dee has worked exclusively in optical trade publishing, first as senior editor for Vision Monday magazine for nearly 11 years, and now as the Editor-in-Chief of INVISION, the magazine for the American eyecare professional, for the last 5. Named a Rising Star in Vision Monday’s Influential Woman At INVISION, she manages the monthly print magazine and its team, oversees the invisionmag.com website and the publication’s social media channels, as well as hosts an editorial podcast – In Vision with Dee Carroll — all with the single-minded goal of helping independent ECPs run of their businesses better. 

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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 killer of women. It claims more women’s lives than all forms of cancer combined!  Learn how Go Red for Women, from the American Heart Association, educates, promotes awareness, and is positively impacting the health of women related to CVD.

Caroline Hickam, Director of Go Red for Women with the American Heart Association 

Caroline is the Director of Go Red for Women with the American Heart Association (AHA) in Baltimore, Maryland. She uses her personal survivor story and passion to foster relationships that benefit the mission of the AHA. Specifically, she works to improve the conditions of women who are impacted by cardiovascular diseases by advocating for women to listen to their bodies, make healthy lifestyle choices, and put themselves first. Caroline loves using her story and passion to connect with others, learn their passions, and work with each other to improve the communities we are a part of both small and large. Feeling personally connected to the work she does in the office and out empowers her to continue making positive changes.

Elizabeth Klunk, RN, BSN, CCM-R Senior Vice President of Medical Management

Liz is Senior Vice President of Medical Management at Versant Health, with more than 30 years of experience in acute hospital, healthcare payer, healthcare service delivery operations, and healthcare consulting & clinical outsource operations.  She is a Certified Case Manager and a Registered Nurse in three states; as well as an expert in regulatory and compliance, particularly when it comes to Medicare and Medicaid. She is a firm believer that annual eye exams are not only critical for vision and eye health, but overall health as well.

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Meet Karen Giberson — President and CEO of the Accessories Council, Editor-in-Chief of AC Magazine, and EMMY Award winner! A genuine "retail insider", Karen has years of experience in communications, merchandising, marketing and public relations.  As President & CEO of the Accessories Council, a non-profit advocacy group, she represents a $50B+ industry of over 350 dynamic member companies in the fashion footwear, accessory, and jewelry markets.  Beyond current members, Karen works with hundreds of brands, retailers, licensees, talent, and industry support executives.

She is charged with being a voice for the industry and leads efforts to assist with legislative issues, sales, and awareness.  Her position gives her a unique perspective and, as a business partner vs client, she gets a realistic view of the opportunities and challenges these companies face.  She is action-oriented and works to maximize and resolve opportunities and challenges.

At the Accessories Council, Karen creates and oversees production of educational events, mentoring programs, the industry newsletter, charitable efforts, and fundraising galas. She advocates for policy, has testified in front of Congress and local governments, and has retained lobby groups to positively impact the accessories industry.  She is a prolific author and has been published in many trade papers.

Most notoriously, she runs the esteemed ACE Awards, one of the fashion industries' leading events. She established many other foundation events at the Council as well, including the Hall of Fame awards, The Elaine Gold Launchpad, the Accessories Innovation Committee, the Design Excellence Awards, B.A.B.E. (a women's networking event), and Retail/Wholesale "meet days", to name a few.

In January 2021, Karen relaunched Accessories Magazine, a quarterly publication that features the accessories, jewelry, and footwear industries.  Karen is a prolific author and major contributor to the publication.

Karen started her career in the executive training program at Macy's and there held a number of positions, including a two-year post in their jewelry-buying department. She then joined QVC where her career blossomed, culminating in a beloved position as director of event marketing.  She was also the director of accessories, footwear and intimate apparel and senior buyer of accessories, footwear, and intimate apparel. She created and launched the company's event marketing division, which created events such as "Shoes on Sale", "Extreme Shopping", and "Red Carpet Weekends".

She is an EMMY award-winning executive producer of "Avec Eric," a PBS broadcasted television show featuring star chef Eric Ripert that was named Outstanding Culinary Program in 2010. She was named one of Philadelphia's Most Fashionable Women 2012, Main Line Today's Power Women List in 2013, 2016 Accessories Council ACE Award Winner, and 2017 Mann Foundation Leading Lady Honoree.

Despite her fashion background, Karen is a grounded and down-to-earth individual! She can be found running Spartan Races, is a fitness enthusiast, and loves spending time with her family and friends.

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Every March, we celebrate Women’s History Month to honor women’s contributions in American history and this episode with Dr. Kate Hamm celebrates women while focusing on supporting women to help create a more equal and inclusive workplace. 

Dr, Hamm began analyzing various components contributing to the wage gap during optometry school and works to help women become better negotiators with the goal of shrinking the wage gap.  Becoming a better negotiator can help salary and promotion discussions become less awkward and sticky while allowing you to understand your worth and advocating for your worth during future discussions.  Reframing how you think about negotiation can create creative solutions and ways of preparing yourself for successful negotiations.  Additionally, mentoring can be a great way for women to support each other to understand blind spots and biases to assist you in gathering information so that you are prepared when these opportunities arise while helping to continue building your own network.

Dr. Kate Hamm OD serves as the Senior Manger of OD Engagement at Luxottica. She is a Kansas native and graduated from Kansas State University with a degree if Physical Sciences with minors in Physics and Biology. After graduation, Kate attended the University of Missouri- St. Louis College of Optometry where she found leadership roles, researched visual perception in dyslexia and advocated for optometrists on a national scale. At graduation in 2019, Kate was awarded the Raymond Meyers Leadership Award, COVD pediatric care award, and Optometry Scholars award. After optometry school, Kate spent time in Dallas working with Essilor of America as an intern with the Professional Development team. Then Kate joined a private practice in Wichita, KS where she saw patients for 2 years before joining Luxottica in her current role. Kate lives in Wichita, KS with her husband where she is usually watching football, connecting with her community, or finding new food to try.
 
You can connect with Dr. Hamm via Instagram @DrInstaHamm or listening to her Podcast Lunch Date with Rachel and Kate

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The Vision Council, the trade organization representing more than 700 companies in the vision care industry and co-owner of Vision Expo, has been busy planning for Vision Expo East 2021, scheduled to take place for the first time ever in Orlando, Florida from June 2-5, 2021.  Join Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council for an engaging conversation on what to expect at the first major in-person trade show since 2019.  Mills breaks down the different neighborhoods that will be featured at the Show, speaks to health and safety guidelines that will be in place, highlights some of the exciting CE to look forward to, and also shares what she is most excited about. During the interview, Mills also shares her own personal story, how she got started in the industry and at The Vision Council, and her advice for those just launching their careers.

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It's been said that women have the capability of multi-tasking far better than men; but when you're working full time, raising a child, and a pandemic strikes, is it possible to juggle it all?  In this podcast, we hear from Katie Lauver, a busy mom to a high-energy toddler and VP of Business Relations at GPN Technologies.  Katie has been working from home while raising her son both pre and post-pandemic.  Learn how she creates work/life balance and knows when to "close the office," in a time when so many of us feel the pull to keep working from our home desk, no matter what the hour.     

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What's going on at the schools and colleges of Optometry.?  All 23 Optometry Schools have gone through rapid adaptation during the pandemic to continue supporting their students' successful learning journey.  Committed faculty are to preparing the future of the profession while continuing to grow their skills as the profession continues to evolve.   Dr. Purcell believes that today's students are looking for flexibility, the ability to select different learning experiences and be part of inclusive learning environments that help all feel as they belong.  Graduates today are well prepared to enter into the profession and change the way that we see the world.  It is an exciting time for our industry and moving forward schools need to work on better diversity to serve their patients best.

Howard Purcell, O.D., F.A.A.O., Diplomate and FNAP has been President and CEO of the New England College of Optometry (NECO) since July 2018.  Before assuming his leadership role at NECO, he served as Senior Vice President at Essilor of America and Senior Director at Johnson and Johnson Vision Care.  A second generation graduate of the New England College of Optometry, Dr. Purcell also participated in a group optometric practice for eleven years with his father in Miami Beach, FL.

Beginning in June 1991, Dr. Purcell joined the faculty of Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry.  During his career at the college, he was a principle in the development of the Department of Cornea and Contact Lenses.  Reaching the rank of Associate Professor, Dr. Purcell was responsible for both the didactic and clinical components of the program, serving as the Deputy Dean of the college. 

Dr. Purcell is a Diplomate in the Cornea, Contact Lenses and Refractive Technologies Section of the American Academy of Optometry

His energetic and enthusiastic style has made Dr. Purcell a popular lecturer internationally.  Purcell’s unique philosophies and practices have often attracted the media to focus attention on current optometric issues and research in the industry.

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We are Nancy Gries and Julie Hawkins. We are 50+ year old ladies who
met at work two decades ago. Together we have over 50 years’ experience
in the optical industry. Over these years we have been honoured to call
our mentors and colleagues some of our closest friends. A few year’s ago
we both encountered experiences which left us feeling taken advantage of
and vulnerable. We both thought; we can either sit back and accept this
OR do something about it to not expose ourselves to this kind of mistrust
again. So, we ventured out and created our own brand called CotiVision
(COTI being the acronym for Chuckle On The Inside). We set out to create
a different approach to ready reading glasses, to break the old age
perception, and to create a unique and original collection guaranteed to
restore some fun into growing up!
Those 40+ years of age know the stigma around hitting this milestone and
needing to extend things at arm’s length to read small
print. Unfortunately, deteriorating eyesight is a consequence of age. 
Ready reading glasses are fundamental for most; however, they never
seem to be there when we need them. So was born our Coti Vision
necklace reading glasses, which are simply worn around the neck and
lifted when needed. Gone are the days of rummaging around to find
them left lying on the desk/counter, in the bottom of our handbag, or
perched on top of our head.  Worn around the neck, they are always at our
fingertips. Reading menus, packaging labels, mobile phone messages,
has never been more convenient.
There is an additional twist to this gem. The construction of the necklace
allows the reading glass element to be removed, so the necklace can be
worn on its own. There are additional chain choices offered separately
which offers even more colour and style options.
Growing old doesn’t have to mean being boring! Our approach to reading
glasses can be extended to the issues that face an aging population in
general. This lends itself to topics for a Podcast from hair, make-up, to
menopause, mental health, etc.
One of our prized mentors once said: “we have been gifted two ears and
one mouth, we need to remember to use them in that proportion”. Due
to our experiences and maturity, we have learned to “listen” to situations
and “hear’ with both ears, but we are not afraid to speak up with questions,
ask for clarification and advice. By using the gifts we have been given we
have become people who can be “counted on”. Being a person who can
be counted on builds trust, and this is the foundation for building strong
relationships. We aim to celebrate every day and approach life with a
sense of creativity and fun. We are “normal” middle aged ladies who feel
we have a story to tell and hope to inspire, educate and motivate others.
Here is to our cheeky slogan of “Raise your Glasses”!

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Use your drive and passion to create your successful career path through hard work and connections. In this podcast, Dr. Stewart shares her success tips and strategies for creating powerful connections that enable career success.  Dr. Stewart has successfully become a partner at Norwalk Eye Care and has been recognized as one of the Best Eye Doctors in Fairfield County where she specializes in sports and performance vision, dry eye management, multifocal contact lens fitting, and medical eye care. She also co-founded Performance 20/20 in Stamford, Connecticut.  In addition to her practice work, she serves as a consultant, is active in professional associations, is actively involved in the alumni board at the New England College of Optometry, and competes in triathlons, cycling, and weightlifting.

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Most people won't be doing the same thing at the beginning of their career as they will be at the end. Join us as we talk about how you can best utilize opportunities with contacts and your influence to professionally evolve throughout your career.

Carissa Dunphy is an ABO Certified Optician who has been working in the Optical industry since 2008. She works in a thriving 5 doctor private Optometry practice just outside of Seattle in tech arena of Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and many others.  Prior to working in Optometry, Carissa was a Certified Computer Applications Specialist where she built websites for small businesses, provisioned servers and hosted a live video podcast interviewing prominent entrepreneurs. After seeing a need for a static resource for Opticians, Carissa bundled her knowledge of helping people, and love for Opticianry and technology, and founded Optician Now.

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Join two of OWA’s 2020 Leadership Scholars Cathy Firman and Kylie Matya in this month’s podcast to hear impactful moments from their professional development experiences and how they work to support the OWA’s mission of helping to connect, inspire, and lead in the optical field.  The OWA Leadership Scholarship Award provides funding for each recipient to engage in professional development selected to help them further and grow their leadership.

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The past few years have placed many of us in tough situations with no easy answers. Some of us have had to rethink our ideas of what matters most in our personal and professional lives. Dr. Maria Sampalis, our featured podcast guest for November, emphasizes the importance of adopting healthy behaviors and strategies to overcome failed moments, allowing us to persevere through the tough times and successfully reach our goals.

Dr. Sampalis graduated from New England College of Optometry in 2007. She is the Founder of Corporate Optometry on Facebook, which has over 30,000 members. She has also founded Corporate Optometry and Corporate Optometry Careers. She was Young OD of the Year in Rhode Island in 2016, Vision Monday's Influential Woman in Optometry in 2019 and World Council of Optometry Eye Care Hero 2020. Dr Sampalis speaks national and is on various advisory boards including Zeiss, Essilor, Nulids, Tarsus, Allergan, and start up companies.  RI health Department and RI Optometric Association.  Dr. Sampalis practice's in Rhode Island and has a sublease with Warby Parker.

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Selin Olmsted shares wisdom, tips, and strategies for how she created the first independent optical design studio in 2015 based on her desire to help others look their best and seeing a need for designers.  Selin seeks to overdeliver on every project and make her studio indispensable.

Located in New York, Selin Olmsted Studio is a B2B eyewear design and
product development studio.
The studio’s services include eyewear design, color, material selection,
custom color development, collection analysis, new collection map
creation, product development, sourcing, production oversight, and
inspection follow-up.
The studio is known for working closely with clients to create contemporary
designs for specific markets. In addition, the studio has cultivated strong
relationships with the best eyewear manufacturers and material vendors
across several countries.
The studio’s clients range from independent eyewear brands to large-scale
eyewear license companies with US and International locations.
Where we can be found:
www.selinolmsted.com
www.instagram.com/selinolmsted

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Deb Bulken is the President of the Optical Women’s Association and also serves as the Vice President of Sales at Luxottica.  She has worked in the optical industry since 1986 through a variety of different leadership roles.  Deb is passionate about supporting the growth and development of women in the industry through mentorship and professional development opportunities.

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