Want to learn more about OWA's fascinating membership? Our members are amazing, and we want you to get the inside scoop on what makes them so great. Meet OWA's featured members!
U.S. Member Spotlights
Brenna Vargas Brito
Company: Optical Manager at L.O. Eyecare
Posted: 7/1/2025
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and explore new things! The more varied your experiences and knowledge, the richer your perspective will be.
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Ecco Matlak
Company: Social Media & Community Manager at ClearVision Optical
Posted: 5/7/2025
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Be open to new experiences! Life will take you to places you'd never expect and every new adventure will help you grow into the person you're meant to be.
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Katie DeLuca
Company: Territory Manager at Avulux
Posted: 4/2/2025
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Never apologize for taking up space. Own it.
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Bridgett Zelasko
Company: Director, Global Business Development at VSP Vision
Posted: 2/26/2025
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: I would tell myself to learn to let go of your idea of perfect. Do what feels right.
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Heather Branderhorst
Company: President at Opticians Association of Oregon
Posted: 1/28/2025
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Be intentional in the energy you put into your intentional relationships. You never know who you may end up working for or who may end up working for you.
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Sarah Beth Mayton
Company: Social Marketing Manager at Kenmark Eyewear
Posted: 1/14/2025
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Your dreams don't have to look like other's. Be confident, you're deserving and capable.
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Jill Steen
Company: Alliances Manager at HELIX
Posted: 12/24/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Savor each moment. Don't rush through life—appreciate the journey along the way!
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Mary Ann Giorgio
Company: Content Specialists at VSP
Posted: 11/21/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Embrace mentorship and learn from those who have more experience than you.
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Joyce Pokoy-Kurtulus
Company: Principal at Visionary Insights
Posted: 10/9/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Learn something new every day and have fun doing it.
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Kathie Sapnas
Company: Regional Sales Manager at Luxottica
Posted: 9/25/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Don't doubt yourself, keep your confidence and never give up
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Gilda Mehraban
Company: Vice President, Corporate Accounts and Bus Dev at Zyloware Eyewear
Posted: 9/11/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Find women that you admire and follow their careers for inspiration
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Ally Kamelhar
Company: Senior Content Specialist at Marchon Eyewear
Posted: 8/28/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Don't sweat the small stuff. Enjoy the journey.
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Emily Ferris
Company: Content/Social Media Specialist at VSP Vision
Posted: 8/14/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Don't grow up too fast. And be a lifelong learner!
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Danielle Crull
Company: Am. Board of Opticianry Master-Certified Optician at A Child's Eyes
Posted: 7/15/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Trust your gut, you know more than you think you do. Don't let yesterday steal from today.
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Lisa Asberry
Company: Director at EyeMed Vision Care
Posted: 7/1/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Stay flexible. The journey won't always be glamourous, but being a servant leader will always enrich others.
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Kristie Nguyen
Company: Optometrist at Dr. Kristie Nguyen PLLC
Posted: 6/15/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Network. Each person you meet could be someone who could change your life later.
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Heather Harrington
Company: Optical Nomad, Field Rep for Studio Optyx and Woodys & Vice President of the Opticians Association of Colorado
Posted: 5/27/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Embrace Failure. Take Risks. Set clear goals.
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Justine Brown
Company: Customer Support Administrator at GPN Technologies
Posted: 5/13/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Keep traveling! Be kind to yourself, pursue any and all interests. It's OK if you fail, that means growth and experience.
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Jennifer Valdez
Company: Senior Data Integrity Specialist at GPN Technologies
Posted: 4/12/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: It's okay to be nervous when you're trying something new. Give yourself the opportunity to grow professionally.
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Cheryl Berger Sussman
Company: Marketing Coordinator at Art-Craft Optical Company
Posted: 3/28/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Relax, you've got this :)
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Holly Gough
Company: Manager, Business Optimization at VSP Vision
Posted: 3/14/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Take opportunities as they come to you. You never know when you'll get another chance.
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Linda Conlin
Company: Pro to Pro Managing Editor at Jobson
Posted: 2/1/2024
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: The road can take you to many places. Believe in yourself and you'll get to your best place.
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Brookelyn Sager
Company: National Key Accounts Manager at HILCO
Posted: 12/6/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Be Brave, Be Bold, and never be afraid to be your authentic self.
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Robyn Campbell
Company: Provider Communications Manager at EyeMed Vision Care
Posted: 11/22/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Don't stress about the small things or what could happen next. Life is too exciting to worry about things beyond your control. Enjoy the ride!
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Kristy Stone
Company: Director of Member Education at PECAA
Posted: 10/25/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Do not be afraid to speak up or stand for what is right. If you feel in your gut something is wrong, listen to that. Know your limits-It's ok to say no!
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Bonnie Whitfield
Company: Senior Manager of Member Communications at The Vision Council
Posted: 10/11/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Look for a career where you can love most of what you do. No matter what, work hard and stay humble. Everything happens for a reason. Not every door that you try to open will welcome you, but the right ones will. Don’t be afraid to fail.
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Lauren Lessley
Company: LDO - Account Executive for Shamir Insight Inc at Shamir Insight Inc
Posted: 9/27/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Get comfortable being incredibly uncomfortable. You will grow in discomfort as you're being challenged. Lean into it, not away from it!
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Madalyn Moeller
Company: Senior Recruiter at ClearVision Optical
Posted: 8/28/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Be happy you didnt grow-up when Social Media was a thing. Love yourself and be brave! There are going to be bad days but end on a positive note and recharge for the next obstacle. Lastly, failure doesn't exist if you keep striving towards your goal.
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Tracy Vontélle Green
Company: Co-Founder, CEO at Vontélle, LLC
Posted: 8/14/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: If you didn't get "it" (whatever it is - job, bonus, partner), it's because it wasn't for you. Something better is coming! Always!
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Kayla Groves
Company: Optical Business Advisor at PECAA
Posted: 7/17/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: It's okay to fail. Failure sets the stage for you to reach your goals.
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Neggie Wright, ABOC
Company: Marketing Associate - Events Planning at ClearVision Optical - Hauppauge, NY
Posted: 5/22/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: You can make a successful career based on what you are passionate about. It's okay to not take the
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Allie Glick
Company: CRM Manager & Marketing Operations Specialist
Posted: 5/8/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Identify your interests and find a career that's all about them!
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Nicole Joli
Company: Internal Communications Specialist at Visionworks
Posted: 4/24/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: I would say, " Don't try to fit in the mold of what you think you should do or be. There are multiple paths to get where you want to go, but as long as you stay true to you and keep moving forward, you will get there. "
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Lisa A. Fromm, ABOC, NCLEC
Company: Certified optician at St. Helens Eyecare dba Columbia Family Vision
Posted: 4/3/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: You are smarter than you think. Keep learning and doing all you can.
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Barbra Dey
Company: Consultant at Dey Ophthalmic Consulting
Posted: 3/6/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Don't be afraid to re-create yourself along your career path. It can be a windy road.
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Cara Endriss
Company: Brand Marketing Director at National Vision Inc.
Posted: 2/20/2023
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Don't be afraid to take risks if it means following your passion.
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Lauren Wosczyk
Company: Senior Trade Marketing Manager at Thelios
Posted: 5/9/2022
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Don't be afraid to fail.
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Ashlee Medart (formerly Queathem)
Company: Wholesale Manager, Independent Distribution Division, EssilorLuxottica
Posted: 3/17/2022
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self:
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Carissa Dunphy
Company: Founder, Optician Now
Posted: 2/17/2022
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Get all of your prerequisites out of the way as soon as you can!
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Mikki Collins
Company: Sales Representative at Morel Eyewear
Posted: 8/5/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Passion is the fuel for success.
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Liz Friedfeld
Company: Head of Business Development at ClearVision Optical
Posted: 7/19/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Strut your bikini! Have confidence in yourself & your abilities. Take risks, learn and improve. Seek out job opportunities with supportive cultures and mentors that align with your values and allow the real you to shine bright.
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Jennifer Stewart
Company: OD/Partner at Norwalk Eye Care and Chief Vision Officer/Co-Founder at Performance 20/20
Posted: 7/2/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Always set goals- and when you achieve them, set more! You are never to old to reinvent yourself and learn something new.
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Phaedra Chernoff
Company: Corporate Key Accounts Manager at L’AMY
Posted: 3/22/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: I would never let any person's negative opinions affect me or define me. Because this has happened and it stings for a long time. You need to hear it and let it go.
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Manali Patel
Company: Controller at The Vision Council
Posted: 3/2/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Work hard, time and tide wait for no man. Always be nice to everyone. Ask lots of questions.
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Bidisha Rudra
Company: Senior Managing Director, Transitions Sales
Posted: 2/1/2021
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Believe in yourself and seek opportunities even if they are outside your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid of failures, because it is inevitable at some point in your life, but failure will also teach you to get back up and be more resilient for the future.
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Katherine Lauver
Company: VP of Business Relations at GPN Technologies
Posted: 12/4/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Keep challenging yourself daily and never stop learning and growing! What seems hard now will float away with time as bigger, more exciting things are to come!
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Tamara Sanders
Company: Sr. Director, Managed Care at Essilor of America
Posted: 9/9/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Always strive to find ways to better yourself! Grow with every opportunity, but never be content with the status quo. There are no limits!
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Beverly Bianes
Company: Optometrist/Partner at Pack & Bianes Vision Care Optometry
Posted: 7/16/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: It's not the destination, it's all about the journey. It is through the journey you'll learn who you are. Stay true to your identity.
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Cha-Ling Delgado
Company: Senior Director of Key Accounts N.A. for Luxottica Wholesale
Posted: 6/1/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: There is not one career path that you follow. Your choices along the way can open new avenues to explore and develop. I never would have thought that I could end up in NYC having grown up in SoCal.
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Randee Epstein
Company: VP - Human Resources Wholesale & Retail Corporate
Posted: 1/27/2020
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: "Don't downgrade your dream to accommodate your circumstances."
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Stephanie Lucas
Company: EVP & General Manager of Member Solutions for Healthy Eyes Advantage
Posted: 11/17/2019
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Pursue your career with purpose but don't take yourself too seriously; let your personality and your passion shine through in all you do.
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Kerri Ann Raimo
Company: Senior Associate Editor / Social Media Curator for Eyecare Business magazine at Pentavision, LLC
Posted: 4/11/2019
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Be open and receptive to new possibilities. Trust your abilities and where they will take you.
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Melissa Parker
Company: Supervisor at VSP Optics Group
Posted: 8/1/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: To do what you love, continually learn and develop, be ok with making mistakes, trust yourself, listen more than you talk, be courageous, take chances and most importantly make friends along the way.
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Debra Bulken
Company: Regional Sales Director at Luxottica
Posted: 5/10/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: You will have plenty of time to "work", take this time to "experience!"
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Lorinda Fraboni
Company: IS Development & Operations Manager at Walman
Posted: 4/17/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Always go the extra mile because not many do and you will stand out in the crowd! Be kind. Stand up for yourself. Speak your mind softly. Don't say NO and put parameters around your YES. Book time for things important to you. Work out and eat healthy.
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Angelina Fifer
Company: Public Relations Coordinator at VSP Global
Posted: 3/3/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Trust yourself - even if you don’t have the skills yet, trust in your capabilities and willingness to learn.
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Pamela Capaldi
Company: Director of Professional Services at Brien Holden Vision Institute
Posted: 2/1/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Listen well.
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Lorie L. Lippiatt, OD
Company: Optometrist/President at The Salem Eyecare Center, Inc.
Posted: 1/13/2017
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Go for it! Always look ahead and have confidence you can achieve everything you are passionate about.
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Laura Dorris
Company: Director of Business Development & HR at Vision West, Inc.
Posted: 11/14/2016
What I'd Tell My 18-Year-Old Self: Surround yourself with people you admire and who inspire you. Stay curious, learn often, go the extra mile as often as you can and be kind to everyone you meet.
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