Celebrating All Women
As the vision of the OWA evolves and expands, we maintain the focus of the OWA's founding principles and core mission.
Founded in 1997 as a nonprofit, the Optical Women's Association is committed to supporting and promoting the professional development of women involved in all facets of the optical industry.
​
We work diligently to create visibility throughout the eye care community in an effort to raise the level of awareness of the multifaceted roles and contributions made by women in our industry. These efforts are supported by the programs offered by our organization, which include networking events, the annual award programs, our membership directory, professional optical women's workshops, webinars, and mentoring tools.
Our Mission
Our mission is to empower women in the optical industry through networking, education, and peer support. We strive to create a community where women can connect and collaborate to achieve their personal and professional goals.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a more diverse and inclusive optical industry where women have equal opportunities for leadership and success.
The History of the OWA
Plans for what would become the OWA began at a Vision Expo meeting in 1997. A small group of women gathered who were all searching for more support and other women who were building their careers in the optical industry.
Read more about the history of OWA, our past presidents, and a number of articles by / about these wonderful optical women.
Board of Directors
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Lorie Lippiatt, OD
OWA Member Since: 2004
Board / Committee Position: President
Company: MyEyeDr
What I Love About OWA:
I love being part of an organization that promotes the leadership roles of women in Optical. As President of a small female-dominated business, I enjoy and utilize the resources the OWA provides in my own company.
Megan Molony
OWA Member Since: 2016
Board / Committee Position: Vice President, Professional Development Committee Chair
Company: Europa Eyewear
What I Love About OWA:
I love the OWA for providing a network of powerful women, that all support the mission of promoting the leadership role of women in our industry. It has been a privilege to work with, be inspired by, and learn from such an amazing group of distinguished professionals.
Janna Neal
OWA Member Since: 2018
Board / Committee Position: Secretary / Treasurer, Connection & Enrichment Committee Chair
Company: Zyloware
What I Love About OWA:
The OWA is a "community" that promotes enhancement, leadership, and togetherness. Being surrounded by such passionate women who want to offer their support and mentoring is amazing. I am honored to be part of such an uplifting organization.
Deb Bulken
OWA Member Since: 2004
Board / Committee Position: Immediate Past-President, Nominating Committee Chair
Company: Luxottica
What I Love About OWA:
I love having the opportunity to engage with likeminded women, who see the potential in ALL women in our industry, to engage through continuous learning and networking to become the best leaders they can be!
BOARD MEMBERS
All terms are 2-year terms effective September through August.
Beverly Bianes, OD
OWA Member Since: 2019
Board / Committee Position: Board of Directors, Events Committee Chair
Company: Pack & Bianes Vision Care part of Total Vision
What I Love About OWA:
The OWA has become my "Bayanihan", which means "community" in my native Filipino language. It's a place where I discovered a sisterhood of women who supported, inspired, and mentored me through a pivotal time in my life. The OWA helped me to grow both personally and professionally, and I'm honored to have the opportunity to give back to this incredible organization that is dear to my heart.
Trudi Charest
OWA Member Since: 2018
Board / Committee Position: Board of Directors, International Expansion Committee Chair
Company: CSI Dry Eye Software
What I Love About OWA:
I love that the OWA is all about empowering women in the optical industry. I have personally experienced the many benefits that the OWA provides from networking events to opportunities to connect with like-minded women and other professionals in eye care. It is an organization focused on growing women in leadership roles and has brought together the leading executive women in our industry into one community.
Kerri Ann DeCindis
OWA Member Since: 2016
Board / Committee Position: Board of Directors, Digital Marketing Committee Chair
Company: BroadcastMed
What I Love About OWA:
I love how the OWA is always striving to be of the greatest support to its members and to the industry as a whole. When one of us thrives, we all thrive, and it's been a pleasure to be on this journey to witness so many women in the industry succeed!
Liz Friedfeld
OWA Member Since: 2012
Board / Committee Position: Board of Directors, Membership Committee Chair
Company: ClearVision Optical
What I Love About OWA:
I love meeting, connecting with, and learning from super passionate and bright women with varied perspectives. My personal and professional networks have grown tremendously because of my involvement, and the benefit I receive grows exponentially with what I contribute. I'm thrilled to be part of an organization that allows me to share my passion for connecting and creating new experiences for others, while enhancing leadership and educational opportunities for women in all stages of their journey.
Katie Lauver
OWA Member Since: 2018
Board / Committee Position: Board of Directors, Communications and Website Committee Chair
Company: GPN Technologies
What I Love About OWA:
I love being a part of the OWA, as it allows me the opportunity to connect and learn from some of the most powerful women in our industry. The OWA has had a huge impact in my life, providing me with opportunities I would have never imagined were possible. As the strongest women's association in optometry, we promote the leadership roles of women in our industry and strive to show women that with hard work, dedication and the right community, anything is possible! I feel blessed beyond measure to be part of this collective of influential women and hope to carry out our mission of empowering and inspiring others to reach for the stars and soar past them in their journey.
Susan Ludwick
OWA Member Since: 2021
Board / Committee Position: Board of Directors, Connection & Enrichment Committee Chair
Company: Freelance Consulting
What I Love About OWA:
OWA is an amazing association of strong optical women with diverse backgrounds, experience, and skills. After more than 25 years of history, this group "stood the test of time", yet continues to shift and evolve with new blood and new tools to support the changing needs of our industry.
Courtney Myers
OWA Member Since: 2016
Board / Committee Position: Board of Directors, Events Committee Chair
Company: Red Havas
What I Love About OWA:
The OWA is such a positive and uplifting organization, every interaction is about encouraging, supporting and uplifting each other. I also appreciate how inclusive the organization is of all parts of the optical industry.
Christina Perraud
OWA Member Since: 2016
Board / Committee Position: Board of Directors, Professional Development Fund Committee Chair
Company: MyEyeDr.
What I Love About OWA:
Becoming an OWA member has not only allowed me to connect and learn from women with such varied backgrounds, but has also allowed me to pay it forward and support new female leaders looking to grow within the industry.
Erika Plank
OWA Member Since: 2016
Board / Committee Position: Board of Directors, Membership Committee Chair
Company: VSP Vision
What I Love About OWA:
The OWA reinforces just how much opportunity there is for women in optical. Being part of a community that spans every part of the optical industry provides connections with leaders and professionals from other companies and career paths, opportunities to learn and grow together, and a channel to champion and support each other's success.
Carol Wilbur
Position: Executive Director
Company: Madeleine Crouch & Co.