January 2015 Newsletter

Christie Walker, OWA President

Everything Old is New Again.

You only have to take a look at the fashion industry to see that everything old is new again. Peasant blouses, embroidered jeans, bell bottoms, tie dye, and other flash backs from my teenage years keep coming back like a bad dream. But not everything that comes back is cause for alarm.

The OWA is bringing back a tradition from our very first Pleiades Award event, the breakfast event. Of course, if you are going to bring something back you better make sure it's updated to appeal to today's members and that we are doing in spades!

Our new Champagne Breakfast at Vision Expo will sparkle with excitement as we prepare a special program to honor women leaders including our Pleiades and Pyxis honorees Maureen Cavanagh and Amy Spiezio. I hope you'll read more about these two amazing women in this newsletter.

As if that wasn't enough, we will be hosting an Intimate Conversation with Holly Rush, president of Luxottica Wholesale North America, in a talk show format. More details to come.

I hope you will join us for this "new" event as we continue to Connect, Inspire, Lead!

Keeping it short and simple,

Christie Walker
OWA President

OWA Board of Directors Announces 2015 Officers
Barbara Wagner, Communications Committee
The OWA announces its officer slate for 2015, along with additional changes to the board of directors.
Read more . . .

2015 Pleiades Award Honoree — Maureen Cavanagh
The annual Pleiades Award recognizes and honors individuals who have made a significant difference for women in the optical industry. Maureen's focus on helping and mentoring others is what makes her the perfect recipient of this award.
Read more . . .

2015 PYXIS Award Winner — Amy Spiezio
The PYXIS Award is presented to a member of the OWA who actively participates in the organization and promotes the OWA throughout the optical industry, contributing to the OWA's continuing growth. So it comes as no surprise to those who know her that Amy Spiezio has been selected as the 2015 PYXIS honoree.
Read more . . .

New Champagne Breakfast Event at Vision Expo East
Going back to our roots, the Optical Women's Association has created a new event — the OWA Champagne Breakfast — to honor women leaders. The OWA Champagne Breakfast is in addition to, not replacing the traditional Friday night celebration and networking event. The Thursday morning Champagne Breakfast, hosted by Luxottica, will give attendees the opportunity to hear short presentations from our 2015 honorees and raise a glass in their honor, while also enjoying insights from our keynote speaker, Holly Rush.
Read more . . .

Getting to Know: Heather Smith, the OWA's New Vice President
Katherine Allen, Communications Committee Vice Chair
Get to know Heather as she responds to questions about her career in the ophthalmic industry — where she started, what she loves most about it, what her most valuable experience has been thus far, and about a time that "grace under fire" has helped her in a tough situation.
Read more . . .

Passion Profile: Motocross & Women's Empowerment
Carrie Chambers, Communications Committee Member
OWA member, Jessica Leeson, by workday, is a Director of Business Planning in the VSP Optics Group. But on the weekends, she races in national women's motocross races. How cool is that?!
Read more . . .

Best of the One Minute Mentor
Lee Anne Plante, Communications Committee
Let's kick off the year with a commitment to take a little time out to focus on what's important, even if it's five minutes to read the OWA Newsletter and get a little inspiration! In this issue, we've highlighted the Top 10 quotes from the One Minute Mentor series. Take a moment and let these soak in as you plan for 2015!
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Welcome New OWA Members!
Dave Beebe, OWA Executive Director
The OWA membership continues to grow! We are happy to welcome these 75 new members since the September 2014 newsletter.
Read more . . .