Special Thanks to OWA's 2025 Individual Contributors

The Individual Contributor program provides the opportunity for ANY individual to support the OWA and its mission of enhancing and promoting the leadership role of women in the optical industry through networking, education, and peer support.

Support from Individual Contributors directly funds the OWA Leadership Scholarship, an award granted to a board-nominated OWA member who has shown exemplary volunteer service in helping the OWA reach its goals. The recipient of this award will be granted an esteemed leadership experience (seminar, conference, workshop, etc.), including airfare, hotel, and registration.

Thank you to our 2025 Individual Contributors—learn more about them and why they support the OWA:

Jamie Shyer

Co-CEO, COO / Zyloware Eyewear

Why I Support the OWA: I believe as industry leaders it is our responsibility to make both professional and personal investments to the growth of our industry. I know my annual contribution as an OWA Individual Contributor goes directly to programs to support our current and future leaders, which includes many of my team members as well. Without a doubt this is money well spent!

Deb Bulken

VP of Sales, Eastern Region / EssilorLuxottica

Why I Support the OWA: I am committed to doing my part to create as many opportunities as possible for woman to excel and live their best lives. Being an Individual Contributor is one way of investing in the future of our industry by supporting our deserving members leadership journey.

Howard Purcell

President & CEO / New England College of Optometry

Why I Support the OWA: I have had the honor and privilege of working with some incredible leaders and innovators, many of whom are women. I have also observed the unique difficulties and challenges many women face in the workplace. It is clear to me the OWA is doing important and much-needed work to celebrate the current and future contributions of women in the optical industry while focusing on its mission of supporting and promoting the professional development of women involved in all facets of the optical industry.

Liz Friedfeld

Head of Business Development / ClearVision Optical

Why I Support the OWA: The OWA is an amazing organization filled with passionate individuals dedicated to helping women succeed through personal development, networking, and mentorship. By donating to the individual contributors' fund, I am choosing to directly influence the advancement of women through scholarship and help provide the skills they deem most valuable. This program benefits the individual and our landscape: establishing more opportunities, more thought leaders, more role models, and more movement towards true gender equity. I'm thrilled to contribute.

Lorie L. Lippiatt, OD

OWA Immediate Past-President

Why I Support the OWA: I contribute to the Individual Contributor program as I choose to support the OWA with an additional level of support. This support directly aligns with the mission statement of supporting the leadership role of women in the Optical Industry by providing Leadership Scholarship Awards to deserving women in the Industry.

Matthew MacDonald

President / EyeMed

Why I Support the OWA: The OWA's commitment to supporting, developing, and celebrating women continues to be such a positive beacon in the optical industry. What truly captivated me is how the OWA balances celebrating the incredible women leaders in the optical industry while also challenging the status quo to create an even brighter future. Through their members, they provide networking, education, and peer support to thousands of women each year. As an individual contributor, I am proud to support the OWA and honor the talents, passion, and diversity of the women empowering amazing eyecare.

Megan Molony

OWA President, CEO / Europa Eyewear

Why I Support the OWA: The OWA does so much to honor, develop, empower and promote the women of our industry. The IC program allows me to support these efforts individually, above and beyond the support that my company provides.

Talia Bruno

Sr. Director of National Accounts / Essilor Instruments

Why I Support the OWA: When women become leaders, they bring talents, new views, alongside structural and cultural diversity to the companies they work for, resulting in more successful solutions. My contribution to the IC program allows me to empower our future leaders by investing in seminars, conferences, mentoring, and workshops. When supporting this program, we are directly ensuring women's long term career growth and providing companies with the next generation of rising talent.

Learn more about how you can support an award that provides a professional mentoring opportunity to reward those who have volunteered their time and efforts to help the OWA reach its goals, and to promote the founding principles of the organization: to connect, inspire, and lead future leaders.

Become A Contributor