Using Influence and Opportunity for Professional Growth — Most people won't be doing the same thing at the beginning of their career as they will be at the end. Carissa Dunphy explains how you can best utilize opportunities with contacts as well as your influence to professionally evolve throughout your career.
The Future Looks Bright!
Friday, October 15, 2021
When I first began my career in the eyecare industry decades ago, what I loved most was that I was working in an industry that offered medical care to patients, but which also included a fashion element.
Want to learn more about OWA's fascinating membership? Our members are amazing, and we want you to get the inside scoop on what makes them so great. Meet OWA's most recent featured member — Leahann Vaughn. After learning about Leahann Vaughn, you can view past Member Spotlights here.
The OWA awards Leadership Scholarships annually to two OWA members for an amount of up to $2,000 each. These grants are to be used to cover registration and travel expenses for attending a professional / personal development program. They are funded through the Individual Contributor Program donations. The purpose of the Leadership Scholarship is to provide a professional mentoring opportunity, reward those who have volunteered their time and efforts to help the OWA reach its goals, and to promote the founding principles of the organization: to connect, inspire, and lead future leaders.
You may nominate a colleague or self-nominate, but all applicants must currently be an OWA member and have served, or be currently serving, on an OWA Committee.
The latest OWA newsletter includes a letter from the OWA President and the following great articles:
You're invited to the next meeting of OWA Reads, another of your great membership benefits! Open to all OWA members, this virtual group "meets" quarterly on the last Thursday of the month for a fun discussion around a current book. Join us Thursday, September 30, at 7 PM CST, to talk about Adam Grant's #1 bestselling book, Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World.
Please login in order to RSVP.
Each year, the annual OWA award honorees receive $1000 each to put toward a charity of their choosing. The Charities of Choice selected for 2021 are A New Way of Life Reentry Project, selected by Pleiades recipient Gai Gherardi, and the Dallas International Street Church, selected by Pyxis recipient Debbie Myres. If you would like to make an additional contribution to either of these charities please visit their respective donation pages.
"Food for Thought . . . where food breaks down barriers and brings us all to the table!"
Food for Thought was created to facilitate dialogue with our neighbors and to embrace and highlight the diversity of our OWA members. Gathering together at the table promotes fellowship and provides a place of love and peace. If you have a recipe to feature in Food for Thought, send your submission to .
For September, Janine Engel shows us how to make mild (or not so mild!) guacamole, a year-round favorite. This traditional Mexican dish is the perfect accompaniment to any meal and any occasion!