What better way to start off a days-long industry conference than with inspiration, camaraderie, and champagne? All three were flowing at the OWA Champagne Breakfast, held Thursday, March 30, at the trendy Hotel Eventi in Midtown Manhattan.
Every chair in the beautiful event space was filled as we listened to the 2017 Pleiades Award honoree Kate Renwick-Espinosa from VSP Vision Care; Pyxis Award honoree Lorie Lippiatt, OD, from The Salem Eyecare Center; and Pinnacle Award honoree Corinne McCormack from FGX International share their thoughts on mentoring and giving back. Since these three women have grown in the optical industry through strong mentorships, and have built teams through their own mentoring, their presentations were very impactful and insightful. Read more about these amazing women below, and be sure to congratulate them on their well-deserved honors and awards!
Kate Renwick-Espinosa is the President of VSP Vision Care, the nation's largest not-for-profit vision benefits and services company. She leads efforts to provide high quality eye care and eyewear services to 83 million members worldwide, supporting VSP's mission to help people see. Kate has worked for VSP for more than 25 years, and previously served as VSP Global's first Chief Marketing Officer.
Kate's most meaningful mentorship experiences have been two-way — when she's mentoring someone, she finds she is learning just as much from them as they are learning from her. There have been many times when she has had the opportunity to help a mentee learn about the business and in doing so, began to see things through their eyes. The different perspective has opened new growth opportunities for both Kate and those she has mentored.
While toasting the OWA Champagne Breakfast Event attendees, Kate encouraged everyone to take risks and support other women in their learning. "We all need to make ourselves uncomfortable — to stretch ourselves. Trying something we've never done before is much easier when we have people who are both challenging and supporting us."
Lorie Lippiatt, OD, is President of the Salem Eyecare Center, Inc., a comprehensive optometric center that she founded in 1989. Dr. Lippiatt has been instrumental in the development of electronic medical records for optometrists and integrating technology into optometric practices. She has served as a consultant for Eyefinity, VisionWeb, and Marco.
Lorie's most meaningful mentorship experiences center around her staff of nine women. Through networking, leadership training, and the education that she's received on a professional level and through the OWA, she's been able to mentor her staff and watch them grow both personally and professionally, and gain confidence in their positions.
Lorie encouraged all OWA members to remember how they got to where they are today. So often, one can become so consumed in one's own race to the top that one sometimes forgets the people who helped along the way. As she put it, "Take a moment to pay attention to the hungry eyes and ears of colleagues who may be looking and listening for your thoughts, perspective, and direction."
A former fashion and jewelry executive, Corinne McCormack started her company over 20 years ago and was the first brand on the market to introduce handmade, optical quality, fashionable reading glasses. Today, Corinne McCormack is one of the most recognized names in high-end department stores and opticals. Corinne McCormack, Inc., is now a subsidiary of FGX International Inc.
Corinne's most meaningful mentorship experience occurred when she started her company and hired a young woman, who was a babysitter, to work as a part-time packing person. Corinne taught her about the business and as it grew, she grew in her knowledge and responsibility, eventually working her way up to the manager of the shipping and receiving department. As her employer, Corinne scheduled her for flexible hours so that she could attend college and still work full time to support herself financially. The young woman eventually graduated from college with a nutrition degree. Corinne proudly attended her graduation. Corinne supported her growth from a young woman with no experience to a college graduate pursing her dream and it was an amazing experience for both of them.
Corinne thinks that the most important thing that we can do for each other is to be there and to listen. Many of us think that we are good listeners, but often we are simply waiting to express our own opinions and make our points of view known. If we all truly listen, we can be of real service. This year, Corinne suggests that we all give our full attention to others when listening and work to "pay it forward." Mentoring is not a one-time experience. "We all do much better when we reach out if we need support and help others as needed."
At the breakfast, we also listened as OWA President Maureen Cavanagh led a conversation with Dr. Dori Carlson, who was the first female president of the AOA.
Eyewear entrepreneurs (and DJs) "Coco" and "Breezy" provided the breakfast music, and we enjoyed a buffet and the chance to mix and mingle before the busy Expo truly got underway. Thanks to Luxottica, our platinum sponsor, and all of our volunteers for making the breakfast possible.
Continue to raise your champagne glasses high to honor Kate, Lorie, and Corinne. Through encouragement and support, their leadership can provide mentorship guidance and opportunities for all of us.
Check out the full photo album of this event.
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