The Optical Women's Association welcomes Debra Bulken of Luxottica and Lorinda Fraboni of Walman Optical, as their newest board member.
"We are very excited to attract such distinguished women to our Board of Directors. A successful board is enriched by complimentary backgrounds, capabilities and skill sets. Both Lorinda and Debra will provide a well-balanced level of professionalism and leadership to contribute to our mission of enhancing the leadership role of women within the Optical Industry," Maureen Cavanagh, OWA president.
Debra Bulken has worked in the optical industry for the last 30 years. Since 2012, Bulken has been the regional sales director for Luxottica. Before 2012, Bulken worked at Ciba Vision (now Alcon), Hydrogelvision, and Marcolin. Bulken was also named a Vision Monday Influential Women in Optical. An OWA member, Bulken has served on the program committee and volunteered at OWA events.
"My first real participation at an OWA event was the Connection Series event luncheon with the panel discussion on STICKING POINTS. This was a game changer for me and I have been hooked ever since. Observing all of these amazing women in action, dedicated to a common cause has invigorated my interest in being not only a part of this organization, but an advocate for its mission and continued growth! I can already see the benefit of networking with the members and taking advantage of the opportunity to become friends with such intriguing and accomplished women has been particularly meaningful," said Bulken.
Lorinda Fraboni has more than 40 years of experience with Walman Optical in information systems, project management, and information technology for ophthalmic operations and adult training in technology. A founder member of the OWA in 1997, Fraboni served for 11 years — as a board member, President Elect, President, and Past President. Currently on the membership committee, Fraboni has also served on the Professional Development and Mentoring committees. Awarded the Pyxis award for support in the growth of the OWA, Fraboni was also recognized by Vision Monday as one of 50 Most Influential Women in Optical in 2003.
"The women I've met in the OWA were and still are so significant. They demonstrated to me that "women" can be presidents and the top leaders of their businesses. At the time I was getting initiated in the OWA in 1997, I had the top female position in the company and I was barely middle management. I pressed our top management for years to hire more women in management positions and we've gone from literally zero women as branch managers and corporate managers to about 40, including two women on the board of directors. I am grateful for the OWA giving me the courage to speak out for women," said Fraboni.
Both Bulken and Fraboni will be sworn in at the annual OWA board meeting on September 14th, in Las Vegas.
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