2025 OWA Retreat Recap: Unplugged and Connected [Photos]
- OWA
- Dec 5, 2025
- 3 min read
The OWA Unplugged retreat was everything I hoped for and so much more. As someone very new to the optical industry, I wasn’t sure what to expect but hearing from so many inspiring women and having the space to connect with them on a deeper, more personal level, was truly transformative.
What stood out most throughout the weekend was the genuine connections. I found myself forming friendships with women from all different walks of life, each with their own stories, strengths, and perspectives. Despite being new to this space, I felt welcomed, supported, and encouraged in ways I never anticipated.
I’m leaving the retreat with a new sisterhood in my corner, not only cheering me on professionally but supporting me personally. It’s a powerful reminder of the strength of community and the incredible things that happen when women truly lift each other up.
-Molly Ryan
The Optical Women’s Association’s Unplugged Retreat was a meaningful experience, taking the closeness and camaraderie that makes our industry special to the next level. It was clear from the weekend’s opening activities that careful planning had gone into the itinerary, ensuring that our time together was a perfect mix of personal reflection, building connections, and lighthearted fun.
From a professional perspective, the retreat offered an opportunity to meet and strengthen relationships with talented women across the vision community. On a personal level, bonds solidified through vulnerable moments and laughter over line dancing will translate to lasting friendships and a sense of belonging at future industry events. Attendees represented many different generations, and the sharing of both professional and personal wisdom from women in all stages of life was so valuable. I left Arizona feeling a deeper connection to the industry we love and to the women who make it fabulous.
-Cydney Hartner
The OWA UNPLUGGED Retreat in Scottsdale this year offered something truly rare in our always-on world: a few days without phones, photos, or digital noise. In that intentional quiet, connection took on a different meaning. As women in eye care, we arrived hoping to network — but in letting go of the distractions, many of us found something deeper. From sunrise yoga and fireside conversations to story-telling bracelet crafting and moonlit line dancing by the pool, each moment reminded us that leadership begins from within.
For me, the retreat created space to hear my own thoughts again — a reconnection I didn’t realize I needed. The laughter felt lighter, the conversations ran deeper, and the calm was something no signal can deliver. Unplugging didn’t distance us; it grounded us. It brought us back to purpose, presence, and people — the heart of why we lead and the reason communities like OWA matter so deeply.
-Katie Chu
A weekend to truly unplug with women in the industry — sharing experiences, stories, and meaningful conversations. The OWA Unplugged Retreat brings key initiatives to life in a three-day event that has traveled from California to South Carolina and, this year, to beautiful Arizona.
It was a time to sit by the fire and talk freely, learn fun facts about one another, line dance, and enjoy moments that strengthen genuine connection. We woke up on a gorgeous Saturday morning to yoga by the pool, setting the tone for a weekend that left us inspired and eager for what's ahead.
Over the last three years, the retreat has allowed me to build deep relationships with women who have contributed to my personal and professional growth. Whether gathered around the fire pit or sharing stories over dinner, the conversations are authentic, uplifting, and memorable.
If you are a member, I encourage you to attend the retreat and experience the power of connecting with women in our industry. And if you are not yet a member, I invite you to join the OWA so you can be part of a community that leads, inspires, and supports.
-Janna Neal, Connection and Enrichment Committee Co-Chair
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