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 featured members!
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Melissa Rasband
Company: Optician at Olympic Peaks Optical
Posted: 6/4/2022
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Think Bigger!
Lauren Wosczyk
Company: Senior Trade Marketing Manager at Thelios
Posted: 5/9/2022
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Don't be afraid to fail.
Ashlee Medart (formerly Queathem)
Company: Wholesale Manager, Independent Distribution Division, EssilorLuxottica
Posted: 3/17/2022
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Carissa Dunphy
Company: Founder, Optician Now
Posted: 2/17/2022
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Get all of your prerequisites out of the way as soon as you can!
Jill Fine
Company: National Sales Director at Liberty Sport
Posted: 1/26/2022
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Don't be afraid of change! It's the best way to grow!
Kylie Matya
Company: Sales Director for the West at Safilo
Posted: 12/28/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Never stop looking for opportunities to further educate yourself. Take that trip to Europe for a month before you start your career!
Shelley Logan
Company: Ontario Regional Sales at WestGroupe
Posted: 12/7/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Say YES to every opportunity presented - you never know where it will lead.
Leahann Vaughn
Company: Director, Managed Care Sales at National Vision, Inc.
Posted: 8/23/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Believe in yourself!
Mikki Collins
Company: Sales Representative at Morel Eyewear
Posted: 8/5/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Passion is the fuel for success.
Liz Friedfeld
Company: Head of Business Development at ClearVision Optical
Posted: 7/19/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Strut your bikini! Have confidence in yourself & your abilities. Take risks, learn and improve. Seek out job opportunities with supportive cultures and mentors that align with your values and allow the real you to shine bright.
Jennifer Stewart
Company: OD/Partner at Norwalk Eye Care and Chief Vision Officer/Co-Founder at Performance 20/20
Posted: 7/2/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Always set goals- and when you achieve them, set more! You are never to old to reinvent yourself and learn something new.
Nancy Gries
Company: Brand Owner at Coti Vision
Posted: 5/4/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
In every mistake there is potential for growth.
Phaedra Chernoff
Company: Corporate Key Accounts Manager at L’AMY
Posted: 3/22/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
I would never let any person's negative opinions affect me or define me. Because this has happened and it stings for a long time. You need to hear it and let it go.
Manali Patel
Company: Controller at The Vision Council
Posted: 3/2/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Work hard, time and tide wait for no man. Always be nice to everyone. Ask lots of questions.
Bidisha Rudra
Company: Senior Managing Director, Transitions Sales
Posted: 2/1/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Believe in yourself and seek opportunities even if they are outside your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid of failures, because it is inevitable at some point in your life, but failure will also teach you to get back up and be more resilient for the future.
Katherine Lauver
Company: VP of Business Relations at GPN Technologies
Posted: 12/4/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Keep challenging yourself daily and never stop learning and growing! What seems hard now will float away with time as bigger, more exciting things are to come!
Jennifer Centeno
Company: Director of Operations and Optician at a private Optometry office
Posted: 10/13/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Hard work and dedication pays off. Keep at it you won't believe all the amazing things you will accomplish
Tamara Sanders
Company: Sr. Director, Managed Care at Essilor of America
Posted: 9/9/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Always strive to find ways to better yourself! Grow with every opportunity, but never be content with the status quo. There are no limits!
Beverly Bianes
Company: Optometrist/Partner at Pack & Bianes Vision Care Optometry
Posted: 7/16/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
It's not the destination, it's all about the journey. It is through the journey you'll learn who you are. Stay true to your identity.
Emilia Flamini
Company: CFO Luxottica North America
Posted: 7/1/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Focus on what you enjoy doing and learning about and not on your next career move: this will make you shine and will bring you to the next step in your career!
Cha-Ling Delgado
Company: Senior Director of Key Accounts N.A. for Luxottica Wholesale
Posted: 6/1/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
There is not one career path that you follow. Your choices along the way can open new avenues to explore and develop. I never would have thought that I could end up in NYC having grown up in SoCal.
Sandra Mohr
Company: Dean of Academic Resources and Administration at NECO
Posted: 5/4/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Time moves fast, enjoy the journey and create the future you want!
Yvette Carranza
Company: Consultant at Digital Vision, Inc.
Posted: 3/3/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Never be afraid to try for any position! I almost missed the opportunity that led me to my career because I didn't throw my hat in the ring. (Thankfully a manager did it for me!) Never be afraid to share your ideas! It may be just what the project needs.
Randee Epstein
Company: VP - Human Resources Wholesale & Retail Corporate
Posted: 1/27/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
"Don't downgrade your dream to accommodate your circumstances."
Stephanie Lucas
Company: EVP & General Manager of Member Solutions for Healthy Eyes Advantage
Posted: 11/17/2019
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Pursue your career with purpose but don't take yourself too seriously; let your personality and your passion shine through in all you do.
Trudi Charest
Company: Co-Founder at 4ECPs
Posted: 7/29/2019
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Start Your Own Business Earlier
Angela Gerber
Company: Marketing Manager at Liberty Sport
Posted: 6/17/2019
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Have faith in the unknown and confidence in your abilities-don't doubt what you dream to do and have patience on the journey.
Sarah Fawle
Company: VP, Digital Marketing & Ecommerce at Randolph Engineering
Posted: 5/20/2019
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Enjoy the journey.
Kerri Ann Raimo
Company: Senior Associate Editor / Social Media Curator for Eyecare Business magazine at Pentavision, LLC
Posted: 4/11/2019
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Be open and receptive to new possibilities. Trust your abilities and where they will take you.
Alexandra Dreu
Company: Owner at Dreu Consulting
Posted: 3/1/2019
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Take chances and step out of your comfort zone. Stand up for yourself but also take advice from people that you can trust. Have fun!
Megan Molony
Company: Sr. Vice President, Merchandising at National Vision
Posted: 2/10/2019
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Midway through my career, a wise mentor said to me:
Nan Meehan
Company: VP of Eyewear at ABB Optical Group
Posted: 11/20/2018
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Always strive for what you believe in: The sky is the limit; Find a good mentor; Empower yourself to have great VISION for the future.
Kelly Freitas
Company: Senior Director, Customer Experience & Research at VSP Global
Posted: 2/22/2018
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Care more about what you think of yourself than what others think of you (slightly modified quote from Theodore Roosevelt)
Maria Sampalis, OD
Company: Doctor/Founder at Corporate Optometry
Posted: 9/1/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
You can do anything that you want to do; you just have to trust yourself. Learn from your failures and use it as motivation to move on. Anything is possible!
Dr. Ginamarie Wells
Company: Sr. Director Client Services at Cleinman Performance Partners
Posted: 8/16/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Always be kind, be thankful, be generous in a way that makes a connection to the world around you. But, also be smart, be safe, and definitely go for it!
Melissa Parker
Company: Supervisor at VSP Optics Group
Posted: 8/1/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
To do what you love, continually learn and develop, be ok with making mistakes, trust yourself, listen more than you talk, be courageous, take chances and most importantly make friends along the way.
Nancy Roellke
Company: Director Product Management, Designs
Posted: 7/11/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Aim far higher than you think you're capable!
Debra Bulken
Company: Regional Sales Director at Luxottica
Posted: 5/10/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
You will have plenty of time to "work", take this time to "experience!"
Lorinda Fraboni
Company: IS Development & Operations Manager at Walman
Posted: 4/17/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Always go the extra mile because not many do and you will stand out in the crowd! Be kind. Stand up for yourself. Speak your mind softly. Don't say NO and put parameters around your YES. Book time for things important to you. Work out and eat healthy.
Angelina Fifer
Company: Public Relations Coordinator at VSP Global
Posted: 3/3/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Trust yourself - even if you don’t have the skills yet, trust in your capabilities and willingness to learn.
Susanna Christensen
Company: Senior Product Development Manager at Nouveau Eyewear
Posted: 2/16/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Take Chances. Failure or Success will always be the outcome. Say
Pamela Capaldi
Company: Director of Professional Services at Brien Holden Vision Institute
Posted: 2/1/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Listen well.
Lorie L. Lippiatt, OD
Company: Optometrist/President at The Salem Eyecare Center, Inc.
Posted: 1/13/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Go for it! Always look ahead and have confidence you can achieve everything you are passionate about.
Janelle Pauli
Company: Marketing Manager at VisionWeb
Posted: 12/15/2016
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Be open to any and all opportunities, and do something creative every day.
Laura Dorris
Company: Director of Business Development & HR at Vision West, Inc.
Posted: 11/14/2016
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Surround yourself with people you admire and who inspire you. Stay curious, learn often, go the extra mile as often as you can and be kind to everyone you meet.
Michelle Hamm
Company: Market Manager, Marketing Operations at VSP Global
Posted: 11/8/2016
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. Don’t let fear of failure or looking stupid prevent you from trying something new. It’s not a failure if you learned something!
Cara Kirman
Company: Marketing Director at K Optical, Inc.
Posted: 10/11/2016
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self
to be patient
