Get To Know The 2026 OWA Award Recipients

This week during the annual OWA Champagne Breakfast at Vision Expo, Susy Yu, OD (Vision Essentials by Kaiser Permanente) was presented the Pleiades Award, Liz Friedfeld (ClearVision Optical) the Pyxis Award, Alessandra Senici (OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation) the Polaris Award, and Cathy Firman (GPN Technologies) the Emerging Leader Award! Learn more about each recipient below:

2026 Pleiades Award Recipient: Susy Yu, OD

Vision Essentials by Kaiser Permanente

Susy's charity of choice: Optometry Giving Sight

Learn more about Susy:

What does winning this award mean to you personally and professionally?

Personally, this award represents possibility—for our daughters, for working mothers, and for women who are still deciding how wide their field can be. Professionally, it signals that leadership in eyecare is not confined to one pathway. It can include clinical care, governance, policy, technology, operations, and industry collaboration. It validates the idea that you don’t have to shrink your field to fit in—you can widen it and invite others to play.

What motivates and inspires you at work or on a personal level?  

I am motivated by impact at scale. In clinical practice, you help one patient at a time. In leadership, you build systems that help thousands—or millions. The opportunity to translate the clinical perspective into business strategy and population health outcomes is what energizes me. On a personal level, I am inspired by building platforms that allow others to succeed. Creating order from complexity, connecting the right people, and setting the framework so teams can execute with integrity—that work is deeply fulfilling.

Can you share a defining moment in your career or journey that shaped who you are today?

A defining moment was when I transitioned from clinical care into administration. I remember asking myself, “Am I still a doctor if I’m no longer in the exam room every day?” Over time, I realized that leadership is also a form of care delivery. Designing systems that improve access, quality, and experience is another way of practicing population based healthcare. That shift reframed my identity—not as someone leaving clinical care, but as someone expanding the field in which I could make an impact.

What advice would you give women looking to grow in their careers?

Don’t ask where you fit in. Decide how wide the field can be—and invite others to play.  Growth often requires stepping into rooms before you feel fully ready. Say yes first, worry about “how to get it done” later. Showing up is half the battle. Seek experiences that stretch you—board service, cross-functional projects, public speaking. Surround yourself with people who challenge and support you. Choose your team intentionally.

What role do you think women’s associations like the OWA play in supporting women’s success?  

Women’s associations create community, visibility, and momentum. They normalize ambition and provide models of leadership that expand what is possible. Organizations like OWA build networks of trust, mentorship, and sponsorship that accelerate growth.  Importantly, they also create a platform for collective influence. When women come together across clinical practice, academia, industry, and leadership, they shape the profession’s future—not just participate in it.

How do you unwind or recharge after a busy day?

Traveling with my family allows me to step out of daily operational demands and into shared experiences. Exploring new cities, cultures, and ideas resets my perspective and reminds me why the work matters—because at the end of the day, impact is about people. On a smaller scale, I unwind by organizing. I will reorganize my desk or even my closet—placing everything into containers and defined spaces. There is something restorative about creating order from chaos. It’s a tangible way to reset mentally. When my physical space is clear, my thinking becomes clearer as well.

If you could imagine any celebrity (historical or current) presenting this award to you, who would you choose and why?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She expanded the legal field so that others could walk through doors more easily. Her disciplined courage and quiet persistence resonate deeply with me. She demonstrated that systemic change requires strategy, resilience, and community.

2026 Pyxis Award Recipient: Liz Friedfeld

ClearVision Optical

Liz's charity of choice: All Hands and Hearts

Learn more about Liz:

What does winning this award mean to you personally and professionally?

It’s both surprising and deeply meaningful, as it honors something I genuinely love. The Optical Women’s Association has enriched my life, and I’m passionate about ensuring more women across our industry experience that same connection and support. By creating space for women to feel seen and empowered, OWA has built a community—often of competitors—who champion one another. That impact extends far beyond any one individual, influencing the leaders and mentors who will guide our industry forward.

What motivates and inspires you at work or on a personal level?  

Honesty, warmth, and support guide me. I’m energized by building collaborative communities grounded in trust, where people feel safe sharing openly. At this stage, fulfillment comes in many forms: advocating for others as they overcome fears and achieve meaningful wins, and recognizing opportunities for improvement and helping shape thoughtful solutions. Seeing that progress take shape is deeply satisfying.

Can you share a defining moment in your career or journey that shaped who

you are today?

I don’t believe I can pinpoint one defining moment. My journey has been shaped by many small ones—scary moments to trust myself and take on challenges before I feel true mastery. Self-trust requires bravery, something I’m only now fully embracing. Along the way, the communities and mentors around me have offered encouragement, perspective, and opportunities for growth. Those incremental decisions to move forward, even with uncertainty, shape not just where I am, but who I am becoming.

What advice would you give women looking to grow in their careers?

Strut your proverbial bikini—and know you are more capable than you think. Confidence isn’t about perfection; it’s about owning who you are and moving forward with conviction. Quiet the negative self-talk and trust that your perspective has value. Prepare well, take thoughtful risks, and seek mentors who will both champion and challenge you. Surround yourself with honest peers, cultivate strong advocates, and welcome real feedback—it’s one of the greatest gifts for development.

What role do you think women’s associations like the OWA play in supporting

women’s success?  

Many of the dynamics that led to OWA’s founding still shape the professional landscape for women today. Associations like the Optical Women’s Association are instrumental in advancing success by creating space for connection, inspiration, and leadership. Its true value deepens when members actively engage—building relationships, seeking mentorship, exploring new ideas, and contributing their own strengths. The OWA’s impact is further amplified by bringing women from across the optical industry—often competitors—together, creating opportunities for shared knowledge, collaboration, and future growth.

How do you unwind or recharge after a busy day?

I recharge through simple rituals that reorient my mind—a great yoga class, delicious food and laughter with friends or family (often with a glass of wine), or a long hot shower followed by a quiet cup of tea. And sometimes, it’s as simple as curling up with Netflix and chocolate.

If you could imagine any celebrity (historical or current) presenting this award

to you, who would you choose and why?

Brad Pitt with George Clooney—a girl can dream, right? Or the first female U.S. president, if we had one. I’m still hopeful! But truly, it would be my dad, Fred Friedfeld, who founded ClearVision and passed away nearly ten years ago. He carried himself with humility, especially next to my exuberant mom—both icons in the optical industry. He had a remarkable gift for making people feel seen and valued. I can picture him beaming as he introduced me, his eyes glistening, his hand warm on my shoulder, love and pride radiating from him. That moment would be unforgettable.

2026 Polaris Award Recipient: Alessandra Senici

OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation

Alessandra's charity of choice:  OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation

Learn more about Alessandra:

What does winning this award mean to you personally and professionally?

This award is deeply meaningful to me because it represents the power of community. It shows what we can achieve when we unite around a clear and meaningful purpose. As an Italian and a European, I feel extremely proud to have helped create this connection for women in Europe. Professionally, it reinforces my belief that leadership is not about personal recognition, but about opening doors and creating opportunities for others to grow.

What motivates and inspires you at work or on a personal level?

I need to believe in and love what I do. At the beginning of my career, I was passionate about finance—I was fascinated by numbers and financial markets. Today at EssilorLuxottica, I am inspired by our industry’s transformation and the real impact we have on people's lives.

Can you share a defining moment in your career or journey that shaped who you are today?

Having the opportunity to work with Luxottica’s founder, Leonardo Del Vecchio, was a defining moment in my career. His extraordinary vision and relentless ambition challenged and inspired me to think bigger and trust myself. This experience ultimately led to the launch of Leonardo, our global learning platform—a project of true scale that has transformed how we learn across the company. It was more than a professional milestone—it was a turning point that showed me I could lead a project of ambitious scale that was both innovative and meaningful.

What advice would you give women looking to grow in their careers?

Be passionate about what you do, never stop learning and surround yourself with people who challenge and support you.

What role do you think women’s associations like the OWA play in supporting women’s success?

Associations like the OWA create visibility, mentorship, and community—the foundations of sustainable leadership. They don't just support women's success—they accelerate it.

How do you unwind or recharge after a busy day?

I like to unwind by practicing yoga and going for long walks—this helps me clear my mind and reset.

If you could imagine any celebrity (historical or current) presenting this award to you, who would you choose and why?

Marge Axelrad, without hesitation! We’ve known each other for many years, and I’ve learned so much from her along the way. We’ve shared wonderful conversations together and just as importantly, she always makes me laugh.

2026 Emerging Leader Award Recipient: Cathy Firman

GPN Technologies

Cathy’s charity of choice: The Finley Project

Learn more about Cathy:

What does winning this award mean to you personally and professionally?

I’m not someone who naturally steps into the spotlight, so receiving this award is incredibly meaningful to me. It reassures me that my talents are seen and appreciated by my colleagues, and that they recognize potential in me that I may not always see in myself. Personally, it’s a reminder to keep pushing beyond my comfort zone. Professionally, it reinforces my commitment to becoming 1% better every day. This award motivates me to continue doing the uncomfortable things—like standing up to give a speech—because those moments are where real growth happens.

What motivates and inspires you at work or on a personal level?

From a young age, I’ve always enjoyed helping people and finding solutions to problems—and that still holds true today. When I’m faced with a challenge, the process of digging into the root cause and figuring out how to fix it is what truly energizes me. Solving problems, especially in ways that make things better for others, is incredibly motivating.

On a personal level, my greatest inspiration has been my grandmother. After raising five children, she went back to school in her mid-40s to become a registered nurse. Her determination, resilience, and commitment to growth have always reminded me that it’s never too late to pursue your goals and make an impact.

Can you share a defining moment in your career or journey that shaped who you are today?

There have been many meaningful moments in my career, but one stands out as truly transformative. I was attending SECO and stopped to chat with Rebecca Johnson, who was serving as Executive Director at GPN at the time. As we talked, someone approached her with a question about using analytics to drive improvements in their office.

As someone who naturally wants to help, I jumped in and shared how my practice had tackled a similar challenge. That brief, unplanned exchange sparked something bigger. It ultimately led to my transition from serving as a practice manager to working on the enterprise side. What felt like a simple conversation at the time became a turning point in my professional journey—reminding me that sometimes opportunity finds you when you’re simply being yourself and adding value.

What advice would you give women looking to grow in their careers?

Give yourself grace. Too often, as women, we hold ourselves to impossible standards and become our own harshest critics when we fall short of perfection. Growth doesn’t come from dwelling on mistakes or replaying moments we can’t change. It comes from learning, adjusting, and moving forward with greater wisdom.

What role do you think women’s associations like the OWA play in supporting women’s success?

Organizations like OWA play a powerful role in supporting women’s success because they go beyond surface-level engagement. They don’t just ask, “How are you doing?” They ask, “What can I do to support you?” That distinction matters. This support shows up in many forms—listening, mentoring, advocating, celebrating achievements, and meeting women where they are in their professional journeys. OWA creates space for connection and growth, while actively helping women navigate challenges and pursue new opportunities. That kind of intentional support makes a meaningful difference.

How do you unwind or recharge after a busy day?

After a long day, spending time with my husband and our furbabies—one dog and three cats—helps me decompress and refocus on what truly matters. They have a way of putting everything into perspective. When I can carve out time after a hectic week, I pick up my digital camera and head out to explore. Photography allows me to slow down, notice the beauty in the world around me, and recharge creatively. It’s a reminder that even in busy seasons, there’s always something beautiful worth pausing for.

If you could imagine any celebrity (historical or current) presenting this award to you, who would you choose and why?

Honestly, I can’t think of a better person than the one who lifts me up and keeps me grounded in real life—Katie Lauver. Her support and encouragement mean the world to me. If I had to choose a well-known figure, I would say Maya Angelou. One of her most powerful quotes is, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” That sentiment resonates deeply with me, especially in leadership. The leaders I remember most fondly are the ones who encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and made me feel capable of more than I believed possible. That’s the kind of impact I hope to have on others.

Read more about the 2026 Award recipients and their selected charities here.

Interviews by: Audrey Pavia