In 2022 we decided to discontinue our quarterly newsletters. You can now find the latest up-to-date articles and updates on the OWA Connects Blog. To see links to all of the newsletters listed below, you can either login as a member or join OWA now.
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Member Spotlight
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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 16 new members since the July 2015 newsletter.
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A Tribute to Christie Walker
Katherine Allen, Communications Committee Chair, and Marge Axelrad
Attempting to orchestrate a proper sendoff to someone who has had such an impact on so many lives, an industry, and the OWA organization in particular, was truly challenging. Below are some words that we wanted to share with our membership and with Christie Walker to celebrate her amazing contributions.
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OWA Welcomes Two New Board Members
Christie Walker, Nominating Committee Co-Chair
The Optical Women's Association welcomes Debra Bulken of Luxottica, and Lorinda Fraboni of Walman Optical, as its newest board members.
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Welcome New OWA Members!
Michelle Schroeder, OWA Associate Executive Director
The OWA membership continues to grow! We are happy to welcome these 20 new members since the April 2016 newsletter.
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New Member Spotlight — Karen Hartman
Courtney Myers
New to the industry and the OWA, Karen Hartman joined Prevent Blindness at the beginning of 2016 and joined the OWA in April.
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Welcome New OWA Members!
Michelle Schroeder, OWA Associate Executive Director
The OWA membership continues to grow! We are happy to welcome these 17 new members since the January 2016 newsletter.
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The OWA Welcomes Robyn Crimmins to the Board of Directors
Robyn Crimmins, Senior Director of Marketing and Commercial Operations for the VSP Optics Group, Sacramento, California, was elected to the OWA board at the March 2016 board meeting.
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Ann E. Englert — 2016 Pyxis Award Recipient
All who know Ann E. Englert recognize she is a force to be reckoned with, having a proven track record of inspiring others to leadership. Her selection as the 2016 Pyxis honoree is apropos in light of the distinguished roles she has held within the OWA since becoming an active member in 2001.
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Sue Downes — 2016 Pleiades Award Recipient
Sharon Chin, Communications Committee Member
The Optical Women's Association is pleased to announce that Sue Downes, CEO of MyEyeDr. is the recipient of this year's Pleiades Awards. In this blog post, you'll get to know a little more about her amazing work, her contribution to the optical industry, and how she continues to inspire OWA members!
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2016 Pleiades and Pyxis Awards
Please join us in congratulating the Optical Women's Association's 2016 Pleiades and Pyxis Award honorees.
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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.
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The Optical Women's Association Announces 2016 Award Honorees
Christie Walker (Jobson Optical)
The OWA is pleased to announce that Sue Downes, CEO at MyEyeDr., has been selected as the 2016 Pleiades award recipient; and Ann Englert, owner and sole proprietor of Solutions Consulting has been selected as its 2016 Pyxis award recipient. The two women will be honored at two special OWA events in New York City during Vision Expo East.
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What's Your Passion Profile: Janelle Pauli — Teamwork Matters
Susan Tarrant, OWA Communications Committee Member
Janelle Pauli — marketing manager for VisionWeb in Austin, TX — may go into "beast mode" as she attacks her professional goals, but just wait 'til she gets on the volleyball court!
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Introducing Michelle Schroeder, OWA Associate Executive Director
Michelle recently became the Associate Executive Director of the OWA. In this role dedicated to serving the membership, she works closely with Executive Director Dave Beebe and with the OWA Board of Directors. Michelle has jumped in enthusiastically and is a great addition to the team. She shares a bit about herself with us.
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Welcome New OWA Members!
Michelle Schroeder, OWA Associate Executive Director
The OWA membership continues to grow! We are happy to welcome these 33 new members since the January 2015 newsletter.
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New Member Profile: Amy Applegate
Robin Berger, Communication Committee Member
The OWA would like to welcome one of its newest members, Amy Applegate. Amy handles all aspects of print and web design for The Vision Council, creating almost every report, campaign image, and eblast that you see from The Vision Council.
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Getting to Know: Debbie Myres — OWA Board Member & Mentoring Committee Co-Chair
Katherine Allen, Communication Committee Vice-Chair
Get to know Debbie 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.
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OWA — Connect. Inspire. Lead.
Prepared remarks delivered by Maureen Cavanagh, president of the Vision Impact Institute and 2015 Pleiades Award Honoree, at the OWA Champagne Breakfast Celebrating Women in Leadership, held March 19, 2015 in New York City.
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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.
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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?!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Welcome New OWA Members!
Michelle Schroeder (OWA Associate Executive Director)
The OWA membership continues to grow! We are happy to welcome these 51 new members since the September 2015 newsletter.
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Welcome 72 New OWA Members!
Carol Wilbur, OWA Associate Executive Director
The OWA membership continues to grow! We are happy to welcome these 72 new members since the August 2017 newsletter.
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OWA Digital Ambassador Spotlight: Dr. Jennifer Lyerly
Carrie Chambers (Senior Communications Specialist, Eyefinity)
To support the growth of our social media presence, the OWA recently launched a new digital ambassador program. This month we're introducing you to one of them.
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What's Your #DoMore?
This year at Vision Expo East, the OWA asked event attendees to "Tell Us Your #DoMore Pledges".
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A CEO's Perspective on Leadership, Relationships and Values
Angela Gerber (Marketing Manager, Liberty Sport) and Courtney Myers (SVP, Havas PR)
Named among the 50 most powerful people in Canadian business in 2017, Kathleen (Katie) Taylor delivered the keynote address during the Champagne Breakfast held at Vision Expo East.
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What's Your #DOMORE?
Jessica Goebert
OWA Emerging Leader Award Winner Jessica Goebert shares her inspiring #DOMORE in this engaging video.
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12 Ways to Get Motivated + Find Professional Development
Yvette Carranza and Susan Tarrant
Looking for new ways to jump-start your professional development this year? Here, we check in with 12 members of the OWA Board of Directors to unpack their 12 best tips for getting — and staying — motivated + creating professional development opportunities.
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Happy New Year, OWA and Optical Professionals!
Tiara Claxton
This year, the OWA is celebrating 22 years of Connecting, Inspiring, and Leading the women in optical. It is with great pleasure that I announce our 2019 OWA award honorees . . . .
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Welcome 98 New OWA Members!
Carol Wilbur, OWA Executive Director
The OWA membership continues to grow! We are happy to welcome these 98 new members since the April 2018 newsletter.
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OWA Collaborates with Optometric Management Magazine
Yvette Carranza, OWA Communications Committee
Were you aware that some amazing OWA members have been featured in Optometric Management magazine throughout 2018? OWA members have written articles on all aspects of work from a women's perspective. Topics ranged from work/life balance to optometric practice owner profiles. The OWA is fortunate to have members with a wide breadth of knowledge, and this has been a wonderful opportunity to shine the spotlight on a few of them. Check out some of the recent articles.
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How We Can All #DoMore? A Q & A with Holly Rush
Jennifer Sommer, OWA Communications Committee
"We can impact powerful, positive change through our connections with other people", says Holly Rush, CEO of Costa Del Mar and the energy behind the #DoMore movement the Optical Women's Association launched earlier this year. "Timing is everything," says Rush, "and the awareness that's been created in the world around us today on diversity, inclusion, and women's rights in the workplace means Our Time is Now." Here, Rush shares with the OWA what she hopes others take away from the #DoMore message.
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Welcome 78 New OWA Members!
Carol Wilbur, OWA Executive Director
The OWA membership continues to grow! We are happy to welcome these 78 new members since the January 2018 newsletter.
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Welcome New OWA Members!
Michelle Schroeder, OWA Associate Executive Director
The OWA membership continues to grow! We are happy to welcome these 85 new members since the July 2016 newsletter.
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OWA Member, Sue Downes, Honored as Person of Vision
Carrie Chambers, Communications Committee Member
One of our own — esteemed OWA member Sue Downes, who was the 2016 winner of the OWA Pleiades Award — is now being honored by Prevent Blindness as their 2018 Person of Vision. For Sue, preventing blindness is personal. She experienced a loss of vision in her left eye for six weeks while battling optic neuritis. Congratulations, Sue!
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Special Feature: OWA Platinum Sponsors Name Women of Leadership and Offer Information on Key Services and Products
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President's Letter
New OWA President Tiara Claxton shares her hopes for the next year.
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Welcome New OWA Members!
Carol Wilbur, OWA Associate Executive Director
The OWA membership continues to grow! We are happy to welcome these 83 new members since the May 2017 newsletter.
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OWA's Lorinda Fraboni Inducted into the Lab Hall of Fame
Susan Tarrant, OWA Communications Committee
The annual awards ceremony celebrates those who have influenced or contributed to the advancement of the optical laboratory industry. Lorinda joins a list of some of the most prominent members of the lab industry (and is one of just a few women to do so).
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Skills of Emotional Intelligence (based on the book Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry)
Maureen Cavanagh, OWA President
Today's competitive landscape and cultural changes with millennials entering the workforce are forcing leaders to adapt and manage differently. We see on a day-to-day basis with upper echelon talent that using emotional intelligence techniques can separate good companies from great ones and can change professional careers and personal relationships forever.
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Welcome New OWA Members!
Michelle Schroeder, OWA Associate Executive Director
The OWA membership continues to grow! We are happy to welcome these 18 new members since the March 2017 newsletter.
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Marge Axelrad honored as Prevent Blindness Person of Vision
Yvette Carranza and Brandie Shaw, Communications Committee Vice Chairs
OWA founding member and Jobson Optical Group Senior Vice President Marge Axelrad was honored March 30th as the Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award recipient for 2017.
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Welcome New OWA Members!
Michelle Schroeder, OWA Associate Executive Director
The OWA membership continues to grow! We are happy to welcome these 53 new members since the December 2016 newsletter.
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Welcome New OWA Members!
Michelle Schroeder, OWA Associate Executive Director
The OWA membership continues to grow! We are happy to welcome these 82 new members since the September 2016 newsletter.
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New Member Spotlight — Jessica Butler
Brandie Shaw, OWA Communications Committee Member
Thanks to the efforts on the Power of One Campaign we had a great many exceptional women join our ranks in the past few months. Deciding who to select for our spotlight this month was a challenge! It is with great pleasure that we introduce Jessica Butler to the OWA.
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Digital Ambassador Spotlight
Carrie Chambers (Sr. Communications Specialist, Eyefinity)
In the spring, the OWA launched a new digital ambassador program to help grow our social media presence. Here, we introduce you to one of our five influencers — Arian Fartash, O.D. — an optometrist who founded the GlamOptometrist blog.
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Welcome 70 New OWA Members!
Carol Wilbur, OWA Associate Executive Director
The OWA membership continues to grow! We are happy to welcome these 70 new members since the October 2017 newsletter.
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