OWA Talks Podcast
Carissa and Tatiana
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Welcome to the OWA Talks podcast from the Optical Women's Association! Our two hosts, Carissa and Tatiana, interview esteemed guests who connect, inspire and lead women in the optical industry.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
Nov 28, 2023
Leading a Team to Greatness vs Managing to Goals, with Tracy Neal
Tracy Neal, Director of Customer Support, GPN Technologies talks to our co-hosts about motivating and cheerleading teams to not only produce output, but on how to thrive personally and professionally. Creating goals and challenging yourself to work outside of your comfort zone is a skill Tracy has honed in her more than 33 year career in optical. Listen to this episode to hear Tracy’s enthusiastic perspective on leading teams to greatness vs simply managing to goals.
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Oct 31, 2023
Fostering Growth: For your business, for your team, and for yourself, with Michelle Skinner
In this episode of OWA Talks, we hear from Michelle Skinner, Chief Growth Officer at VSP Vision. Michelle outlines her ‘Three C’s’ approach to leadership and explains how to use this approach to navigate change, foster growth and plan for the future in uncertain times.
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Sep 26, 2023
Just Say Yes and Figure the Rest out Later, with Dr. Jill Saxon
A life of Service: Dr. Jill Saxon talks with new OWA Talks co-hosts, Tatiana and Carissa, about her journey in the industry. Through a career in optometry and her service in the US Navy, Dr. Saxon has made a meaningful impact on the world. Listen to this inspirational episode to hear Dr. Saxon’s story, drawing from family members in Optometry and private practice to her role as Executive Director, Professional Strategy at Bausch + Lomb.
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Aug 29, 2023
The Story Behind the Story: OWA Talks Co-Hosts Pass the Baton
Join us for a special episode of OWA Talks as we ‘turn the mic’ and get the story behind the story from our hosts. Outgoing co-hosts Sandra and Stephanie pass the baton to new co-hosts, Tatiana Stewart and Carissa Dunphy, but not before they share all the tantalizing behind the scenes details of their experience and interview Carissa and Tatiana as they start their new journey with OWA Talks.
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Jul 25, 2023
If You Can Visualize It, You Can Achieve It with Robin Brush
Robin Brush, Training and Education Manager Safilo North America chats with OWA Talks about her journey from Optician to requesting the ten minute meeting with an executive that changed her career. Tune in for a passionate personal story that Robin shares with listeners on translating her critical communication skills and honing your craft to educate others. Visualize your goals and realize your dreams!
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Jun 27, 2023
Creating Opportunities in Your Optical Journey with Janna Neal
Janna shares her career journey from a receptionist working part time while in college to an executive with the same company, (Zyloware) In the current environment with more people moving companies to move ahead, learn how we can create opportunities and advance our careers. Janna also discusses some exciting initiatives happening with OWA.
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May 31, 2023
Why Content Strategy Is Important with Keri Sculland
*Keri Sculland is the manager of editing and content strategy at Marketing4ECPs. As a content and communications specialist, Keri has published countless educational and academic articles in the past decade—which is how she discovered her special interest in the eye care industry.*
*Her passion for educating and connecting audiences has developed into creating cohesive content strategies to reflect personalized content branding that yields authentic, effective results.*
*Read more about Keri and Marketing4ECPs at **www.marketing4ecps.com**.*
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Apr 21, 2023
The Balanced Equation: Finding Harmony Between Your Career and Life with Kristen Tischler
Are you looking to develop a sustainable career while also achieving balance in your life? Join us for this month's podcast, where we'll discuss the challenges a lot of busy women face in today’s fast-paced world. Discover powerful strategies to shape a more satisfying career and to stay on top of your craft. We'll explore how intentional leadership, networking, and professional development can help you achieve your goals. Make the most of your time and develop a plan that will help you thrive both professionally and personally.
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Mar 29, 2023
Building brands – Including Your Own with Sherianne James
Throughout her career, Sherianne James has worked with household brands, including some of the most recognized brands in the world. As chief marketing officer and senior vice president of Wholesale Marketing at EssilorLuxottica North America, Sherianne works with the most recognized brands in our industry. Join us to learn more about the importance of growing recognized, trusted brands – including your own.
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Feb 28, 2023
Alysse Henkel of the Vision Council unveils first ever Market inSights Report
Alysse Henkel of The Vision Council shares differentiation points on Market inSights from other industry tools. Launched in December, our co-hosts chat the report learnings with Alysse and hear about Vision Council prep ahead of Vision Expo East.
Alysse is responsible for establishing data management systems and policies to enable complex analysis of large data sets, developing robust market modeling sources and systems, and communicating relevant insights that can contribute to actionable and strategic business recommendations.
An experienced researcher and evaluator who works with leaders to help them make data-driven decisions, Henkel launched her career at Goodwill Industries International, where she spent 10 years leading efforts to overhaul the organization’s national data collection and reporting systems and creating new opportunities to analyze the impact of the organization’s programs and services. More recently, she was selected as a Data Fellow with the Strategic Data Project at the Center for Education Policy and Research at Harvard University. During the two-year fellowship, she worked with an urban school district to help build their data analysis capacity and improve their data visualization and reporting.
Henkel holds an undergraduate degree in anthropology, sociology, and German from Lafayette College and a master’s degree in public policy from George Washington University.
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Jan 31, 2023
Invest in Yourself and Your Personal Brand with Daniel Wakefield
As we launch 2023 Daniel Wakefield, renowned photographer chats reflecting your personal brand in a business profile. Hear the importance of capturing genuine expression to best present the face you show the business world. Daniel also chats thoughts on capturing video content to use in ever-changing marketing needs.
Daniel Wakefield, Owner / Photographer of Top-Tier Headshots started life in Canada but moved around several areas in the U.S. growing up. Daniel and his wife Bethany moved to south Florida in 2015 and it was there that his passion for wildlife photography was born. Daniel’s wildlife work has been published in several books, magazines and awarded in several prestigious wildlife photography competitions including Top 100 in Audubon Bird Photography, 2018 and Top 15 in Africa Geographic Photographer of the Year, 2020.
Daniel is renowned for his skill in photographing people and capturing genuine expression. Early in his photographic journey, Daniel recognized that people…
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Dec 27, 2022
Thélios, the eyewear expert of LVMH Group with Sara Osculati
Sara Osculati, embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that has helped Thélios become a major luxury player in the eyewear market. Thélios is the eyewear expert within LVMH Group (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), World leader in Luxury with a portfolio of over 75 luxury brands.
Hear Sara talk through her vision of a bright future as Thélios successfully builds on their story in the U.S. market. Sara also shares her best advice for the ladies of the OWA.
Sara Osculati a graduate of Bocconi University in Milan has been working in the Eyewear industry for almost 20 years. Ms. Osculati has held various leadership positions managing large teams, including Eyewear Department Director for Dior from 2012 – 2017. As head of the Dior Eyewear department, Sara’s achievements placed eyewear among the central categories in the Maison’s strategy, federating all stakeholders from Creative Direction to Retail, on the importance of this category as a powerful tool in Business Development.
As Chief…
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Nov 29, 2022
Eye Exams and the Relationship to Overall Wellness with Dr. Valerie Sheety-Pilon
As one of 2021’s Most Influential Women in Optical, Dr. Valerie Sheety-Pilon has a rich heritage and background with Optometry and Ophthalmology. Dr. Val joins OWA Talks to chat elevating eye exams and strategic initiatives she is working on with VSP and the industry.
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Oct 25, 2022
Communication Skills in Consultative Sales with Amy Hendrick
Amy Hendrick is the Business Development Manager for GPN Technologies and EDGEPro. Her 15 years experience in the optical industry began at a LASIK surgery center, where she found passion in educating patients on the surgery process, easing their fears and facilitating their life changing surgery. She went on to work in a private practice for 8 years, learning the business and filling almost every role at some point during her tenure. She found joy in educating patients about their eye health, giving personalized care, and making them feel seen and heard. This experience led to her current position with GPN Technologies, where she helps doctors and practice managers clearly understand their business trends and areas of opportunity to increase revenue. In her downtime, Amy enjoys the Virginia Beach coastline with her family and two beloved doggies.
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Sep 27, 2022
State of Play with Anne Kavanagh
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Aug 25, 2022
The Importance of Connection and Community in Our New Normal with Ashley Mills
Ashley Mills is CEO of The Vision Council, the industry association serving as a global voice for eyewear and eyecare that represents companies in diverse segments of the optical industry. Mills will discuss The Vision Council’s efforts to foster a sense of strong community within the industry, curate opportunities for members to connect and forge new relationships and ultimately, promote industry growth.
Additionally, as co-owner of Vision Expo, The Vision Council is busy preparing for Vision Expo West, taking place September 14-17. Mills will share what to look forward to in
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Jul 27, 2022
Collaborating with Empathy, Humility & Inclusivity with Dr. Bidisha Rudra
Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us all to rethink how we work together, and how our behaviors and actions have an impact on others. Bidisha will share her personal story on how developing and leveraging soft skills are crucial for a positive and collaborative work environment.
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May 31, 2022
Better 1 or 2 - or Something New? with Anne Marie Lahr
Dr. Anne-Marie Lahr shares stories of career diversity for women in Optometry. Whether delivering patient care as a practicing OD, teaching, lecturing internationally or research and corporate options, there are many opportunities. Also hear about new technology of “liquid lens” or vectorial refraction. Better 1 or two?!
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May 25, 2022
Women Leading the Way: Developing the first Employee Resource Group with Susan Larsen
Beginning with a simple post on the company portal, an invitation to join a meeting, and soon after, an interview followed. Now Susan Larsen is off to the races alongside some amazing women to form National Vision’s first Employee Resource Group dedicated to enhancing the lives of women.
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Apr 26, 2022
Cultivating Success in a Diverse World with Jamie Shyer
In the current environment for our industry, people that work with and for us are our biggest asset and resource. Jamie and the Shyer family built a culture of getting the best team members, in the right “seat on the bus.“ Having a talented, diverse group of people working in the business is the secret to success.
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Mar 22, 2022
Choosing Happiness in Times of Change with Victoria Hallberg
Victoria is passionate about giving back and developing others in our industry. In our business and personal lives we are dealing with continual change. Victoria coaches others toward finding their path of happiness to work through circumstances we are faced with.
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Feb 22, 2022
Rethinking How Networking Can Work for You with Marge Axelrad
*Definitions of 'networking' have taken on new meaning and relevance over the past two truly tumultuous years since the pandemic began..**The idea of networking doesn't need to be intimidating or 'formalized' but an enlightening, uplifting and reassuring way to learn, gain new perspectives about yourself, and what your work means to you . **As we look out to 2022, this OWA podcast will talk about new ways to think about the real value of networking, and all of the new tools and resources out there. For newcomers, managers, entrepreneurs, or seasoned execs, today's networking can bring new relationships and friendships that can build trust, confidence and spur new ideas, too, whether they happen online or IRL. **Oh, and we'll talk about OWA ;-)**
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*Marge Axelrad, SVP and Editorial Director of ViMAIL and Vision Monday, at the Jobson Optical Group**She is also one of the founding members of the Optical Women's Association.,**BIO and photo attached!*
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Jan 25, 2022
Planning ahead in 2022 for you and the OWA with Deb Bulken
Deb Bulken is the President of the Optical Women’s Association and also serves as the Vice President of Sales at Luxottica. She has worked in the optical industry since 1986 through a variety of different leadership roles. Deb is passionate about supporting the growth and development of women in the industry through mentorship and professional development opportunities.
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Dec 28, 2021
Creating the First Independent Optical Design Studio With Selin Olmsted
Selin Olmsted shares wisdom, tips, and strategies for how she created the first independent optical design studio in 2015 based on her desire to help others look their best and seeing a need for designers. Selin seeks to overdeliver on every project and make her studio indispensable.
Located in New York, Selin Olmsted Studio is a B2B eyewear design and
product development studio.
The studio’s services include eyewear design, color, material selection,
custom color development, collection analysis, new collection map
creation, product development, sourcing, production oversight, and
inspection follow-up.
The studio is known for working closely with clients to create contemporary
designs for specific markets. In addition, the studio has cultivated strong
relationships with the best eyewear manufacturers and material vendors
across several countries.
The studio’s clients range from independent eyewear brands to large-scale
eyewear license companies with US and International locations…
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Nov 16, 2021
Overcoming Failure to Reach Success Dr. Maria Sampalis
The past few years have placed many of us in tough situations with no easy answers. Some of us have had to rethink our ideas of what matters most in our personal and professional lives. *Dr. Maria Sampalis*, our featured podcast guest for November, emphasizes the importance of adopting healthy behaviors and strategies to overcome failed moments, allowing us to persevere through the tough times and successfully reach our goals.
Dr. Sampalis graduated from New England College of Optometry in 2007. She is the Founder of Corporate Optometry on Facebook, which has over 30,000 members. She has also founded Corporate Optometry and Corporate Optometry Careers. She was Young OD of the Year in Rhode Island in 2016, Vision Monday's Influential Woman in Optometry in 2019 and World Council of Optometry Eye Care Hero 2020. Dr Sampalis speaks national and is on various advisory boards including Zeiss, Essilor, Nulids, Tarsus, Allergan, and start up companies. RI health Department and RI Optometric A…
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Oct 26, 2021
Leadership Insight and Strategies with Cathy Firman and Kylie Mattya
Join two of OWA’s 2020 Leadership Scholars Cathy Firman and Kylie Matya in this month’s podcast to hear impactful moments from their professional development experiences and how they work to support the OWA’s mission of helping to connect, inspire, and lead in the optical field. The OWA Leadership Scholarship Award provides funding for each recipient to engage in professional development selected to help them further and grow their leadership.
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Sep 28, 2021
Using Influence and Opportunity for Professional Growth with Carissa Dunphy
Most people won't be doing the same thing at the beginning of their career as they will be at the end. Join us as we talk about how you can best utilize opportunities with contacts and your influence to professionally evolve throughout your career.
Carissa Dunphy is an ABO Certified Optician who has been working in the Optical industry since 2008. She works in a thriving 5 doctor private Optometry practice just outside of Seattle in tech arena of Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and many others. Prior to working in Optometry, Carissa was a Certified Computer Applications Specialist where she built websites for small businesses, provisioned servers and hosted a live video podcast interviewing prominent entrepreneurs. After seeing a need for a static resource for Opticians, Carissa bundled her knowledge of helping people, and love for Opticianry and technology, and founded Optician Now.
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Aug 31, 2021
Unlocking The Power of Connections With Dr. Jennifer Stewart
Use your drive and passion to create your successful career path through hard work and connections. In this podcast, Dr. Stewart shares her success tips and strategies for creating powerful connections that enable career success. Dr. Stewart has successfully become a partner at Norwalk Eye Care and has been recognized as one of the Best Eye Doctors in Fairfield County where she specializes in sports and performance vision, dry eye management, multifocal contact lens fitting, and medical eye care. She also co-founded Performance 20/20 in Stamford, Connecticut. In addition to her practice work, she serves as a consultant, is active in professional associations, is actively involved in the alumni board at the New England College of Optometry, and competes in triathlons, cycling, and weightlifting.
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Jul 27, 2021
Practicality with Style with Nancy Gries and Julie Hawkins
We are Nancy Gries and Julie Hawkins. We are 50+ year old ladies who
met at work two decades ago. Together we have over 50 years’ experience
in the optical industry. Over these years we have been honoured to call
our mentors and colleagues some of our closest friends. A few year’s ago
we both encountered experiences which left us feeling taken advantage of
and vulnerable. We both thought; we can either sit back and accept this
OR do something about it to not expose ourselves to this kind of mistrust
again. So, we ventured out and created our own brand called CotiVision
(COTI being the acronym for Chuckle On The Inside). We set out to create
a different approach to ready reading glasses, to break the old age
perception, and to create a unique and original collection guaranteed to
restore some fun into growing up!
Those 40+ years of age know the stigma around hitting this milestone and
needing to extend things at arm’s length to read small
print. Unfortunately, deteriorating eyesig…
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Jun 29, 2021
Innovation Adaptation in Optometric Colleges with Dr. Howard Purcell
What's going on at the schools and colleges of Optometry.? All 23 Optometry Schools have gone through rapid adaptation during the pandemic to continue supporting their students' successful learning journey. Committed faculty are to preparing the future of the profession while continuing to grow their skills as the profession continues to evolve. Dr. Purcell believes that today's students are looking for flexibility, the ability to select different learning experiences and be part of inclusive learning environments that help all feel as they belong. Graduates today are well prepared to enter into the profession and change the way that we see the world. It is an exciting time for our industry and moving forward schools need to work on better diversity to serve their patients best.
Howard Purcell, O.D., F.A.A.O., Diplomate and FNAP has been President and CEO of the New England College of Optometry (NECO) since July 2018. Before assuming his leadership role at NECO, he served as Senior Vi…
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May 25, 2021
Finding Balance: Creating Work/Life Symmetry Pre & Post Pandemic with Katie Lauver
It's been said that women have the capability of multi-tasking far better than men; but when you're working full time, raising a child, and a pandemic strikes, is it possible to juggle it all? In this podcast, we hear from Katie Lauver, a busy mom to a high-energy toddler and VP of Business Relations at GPN Technologies. Katie has been working from home while raising her son both pre and post-pandemic. Learn how she creates work/life balance and knows when to "close the office," in a time when so many of us feel the pull to keep working from our home desk, no matter what the hour.
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Apr 16, 2021
The Vision Council Shares a Look-Ahead at Vision Expo East 2021
The Vision Council, the trade organization representing more than 700 companies in the vision care industry and co-owner of Vision Expo, has been busy planning for Vision Expo East 2021, scheduled to take place for the first time ever in Orlando, Florida from June 2-5, 2021. Join Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council for an engaging conversation on what to expect at the first major in-person trade show since 2019. Mills breaks down the different neighborhoods that will be featured at the Show, speaks to health and safety guidelines that will be in place, highlights some of the exciting CE to look forward to, and also shares what she is most excited about. During the interview, Mills also shares her own personal story, how she got started in the industry and at The Vision Council, and her advice for those just launching their careers.
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Mar 30, 2021
Exploring The Wage Gap with Dr. Kate Hamm
Every March, we celebrate Women’s History Month to honor women’s contributions in American history and this episode with Dr. Kate Hamm celebrates women while focusing on supporting women to help create a more equal and inclusive workplace.
Dr, Hamm began analyzing various components contributing to the wage gap during optometry school and works to help women become better negotiators with the goal of shrinking the wage gap. Becoming a better negotiator can help salary and promotion discussions become less awkward and sticky while allowing you to understand your worth and advocating for your worth during future discussions. Reframing how you think about negotiation can create creative solutions and ways of preparing yourself for successful negotiations. Additionally, mentoring can be a great way for women to support each other to understand blind spots and biases to assist you in gathering information so that you are prepared when these opportunities arise while helping to continue…
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Feb 20, 2021
Karen Giberson- What's Happening in the Accessories Market in 2021
Meet Karen Giberson — President and CEO of the Accessories Council, Editor-in-Chief of AC Magazine, and EMMY Award winner! A genuine "retail insider", Karen has years of experience in communications, merchandising, marketing and public relations. As President & CEO of the Accessories Council, a non-profit advocacy group, she represents a $50B+ industry of over 350 dynamic member companies in the fashion footwear, accessory, and jewelry markets. Beyond current members, Karen works with hundreds of brands, retailers, licensees, talent, and industry support executives.
She is charged with being a voice for the industry and leads efforts to assist with legislative issues, sales, and awareness. Her position gives her a unique perspective and, as a business partner vs client, she gets a realistic view of the opportunities and challenges these companies face. She is action-oriented and works to maximize and resolve opportunities and challenges.
At the Accessories Council, Karen creates an…
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Jan 20, 2021
Go Red for Women with Liz Klunk and Caroline Hickam
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 killer of women. It claims more women’s lives than all forms of cancer combined! Learn how Go Red for Women, from the American Heart Association, educates, promotes awareness, and is positively impacting the health of women related to CVD.
Caroline Hickam, Director of Go Red for Women with the American Heart Association
Caroline is the Director of Go Red for Women with the American Heart Association (AHA) in Baltimore, Maryland. She uses her personal survivor story and passion to foster relationships that benefit the mission of the AHA. Specifically, she works to improve the conditions of women who are impacted by cardiovascular diseases by advocating for women to listen to their bodies, make healthy lifestyle choices, and put themselves first. Caroline loves using her story and passion to connect with others, learn their passions, and work with each other to improve the communities we are a part of both small and large. Feeling personally…
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Dec 29, 2020
Deirdre (Dee) Carroll- Under the Covers: Trade Magazines Exposed!
Ever wonder how optical trade magazines ACTUALLY work? Join Dee Carroll, editor-in-chief of INVISION and longtime optical editor, for a no holds barred, fully transparent conversation on the behind-the-scenes nitty gritty on what gets in, what gets left on the editing floor … and why. She will address misconceptions about how trade magazines work, and how INVISION magazine – and the other optical trade magazines you know by name – function as a business, including the necessary role advertising plays. She’ll address frequently asked questions about the America’s Finest Optical Retailers contest and how the entire industry can get involved in it, what makes the cover, and how INVISION comes up with the stories it runs, as well as how listeners and readers can see their name in print.
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*DEE BIO:*
Deirdre (pronounced DARE-dree) Carroll started her career in magazines 20 years ago. For the last 15, Dee has worked exclusively in optical trade publishing, first as senior edit…
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Nov 18, 2020
Wait, You Mean To Tell Me You Can’t Do It All? With David Friedfeld
According to the 2020 McKinsey Women in the Workplace study, 865,000 women left the workforce last month, compared to only 216,000 men. Today, more than 1 in 4 women are contemplating downgrading their careers or exiting the workforce entirely.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the choices working women are having to make, America is at a turning point, where companies now risk losing not just women in general, but women in leadership positions and future female leaders, reversing years of progress towards gender diversity in our workforces.
How did we get here, and how can executive leaders create opportunity from crisis by purposely designing a more flexible and empathetic workplace in order to retain female staff, while also nurturing a culture in which women have equal opportunities to find their footing in today's climate?
David Friedfeld is President of ClearVision Optical, one of the largest family-owned eyewear distributors in North America. Based in Hauppauge, New York, Clea…
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Oct 21, 2020
The 30in30 Challenge | Social Networking with Purpose during the Pandemic with Holly Rush
2020 was a year of many unexpected twists and turns. At the start of the pandemic, many of us were left asking....what does this all mean? When will it end? Is life ever going back to normal? The lack of certainty day to day left us feeling overwhelmed, stressed and anxious. And I knew I wanted to help.
The 30in30 challenge was designed as a social networking outreach effort. To create new connections during an unprecedented time and to help those new connections navigate uncertainty and emerge on the other side with a greater sense of clarity and calm.
To get things going, I tapped 30 colleagues in my network and asked them to introduce me to 30 people in theirs who could benefit from professional support. Whether it was careers in transition, personal branding or strategic business questions and thought partnership - no problem was too big to tackle together. And the urgency was there to make an impact, fast. So the goal became 30 new connections in 30 days.
What started as a rela…
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Sep 24, 2020
Erinn Morgan Join Us For Fall's 3 Biggest Eyewear Trends
Today, now more than ever, staying on top of current fashion + eyewear trends can give you an edge in your work in the eyewear industry. Join Erinn Morgan, Eyecare Business magazine's Editor-in-Chief + Editorial Director, to get the quick lowdown on the season's three most enticing, on-trend, and saleable eyewear trends—plus the key fashion trends they align with. She'll also share a snapshot of recovery trends in the optical market plus tips and strategies for success in today's new world.
Erinn Morgan has been covering the business and fashion trends of the optical industry for over 20 years. With a B.A. in Fashion Merchandising from Philadelphia University and a Master's Degree in Journalism from Temple University, she got her start as the Managing Editor of Accessories magazine and quickly moved on to become the Founding Editor-in-Chief of FrameBuyer magazine, published by Eyecare Business and recipient of several FOLIO magazine awards. She was then brought on to 20/20 magazine…
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Aug 17, 2020
Dr. Beverly Bianes- Food for Thought
The world is dealing with a pandemic and our nation is faced with yet another challenge creating division, anger and frustration. We witnessed a man, George Floyd, die on social media. His death was followed by rioting and looting across our nation. These events broke our hearts. Many felt the need to do something. Some marched in protest. Others expressed their feelings on social media.
I turned to create OWA's "Food for Thought: Where food breaks down barriers and brings us all to the table." My vision for this platform is to welcome everyone to the table to share and experience our differences in culture, heritage and family traditions through food. As we prepare our food with love to share and nourish one another, our healing can begin.
Dr. Beverly Bianes completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego, and in 1991 received her Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern California College of Optometry. She was the recipient of the Bernell Clinical Exc…
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Jun 29, 2020
Dr. Barbara Caffery on Returning to the Office
COVID-19 has forced the delivery of health care to change. The return to our clinics requires new rituals and a significant shift in our patient interactions. One of our major goals is to avoid infection and prevent the spread of infection, which requires minimal talking, covered faces, and short visits. How can we maintain our relationship with our patients? What is the value of our words, our facial expressions? These are the questions to be answered in this pandemic world of eye care.
*Barbara Caffery, OD, PhD, FAAO*, graduated from the New England College of Optometry in 1977. She currently serves as the President of the American Academy of Optometry and is on the Medical Advisory panel of the Sjogren’s Society of Canada.
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Jun 26, 2020
Trudi Charest Digital Networking & Social Selling
If you are like every business owner, executive or sales person, when the lockdown happened you understood how important it was to be able to connect virtually to your patients and customers. Now virtual and digital communications are the norm. Connecting, networking and selling online will be the way of the future. What do you need to do to build a personal and business profile and where should you start?
Trudi Charest co-founded Marketing4ecps, a digital marketing agency focused on building digital advertising for optometrists, opticians, and ophthalmologists, in 2015. She is well known for designing, developing, and facilitating training and marketing programs for eyecare professionals across North America.
Trudi is a licensed optician with over 25 years of extensive eyecare experience. She also holds a Human Resource Management certificate from the University of Calgary. Her background includes corporate training in optical retail, territory management for Bausch & Lomb, clinical…
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May 25, 2020
Changes in the Optometric Field and Adapting to the NEW Normal with Carrie Wilson
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Apr 28, 2020
Surviving Covid 19 with Alessandro Baronti
On today's episode, we sit down and chat with President and CEO of De Rigo REM, Alessandro Baronti. He walks us through what we should be doing now for our optical businesses and looks into the future and how to reopen.
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Mar 24, 2020
Understanding the Industry with Dr. Millicent Knight
Sandra and Stephanie interview Dr. Millicent Knight about all things optometry. We dive into her start into the field and talk a little bit about where things are going to go moving forward.
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Feb 25, 2020
Vision Expo East with Sheena Taff
OWA Visionary Award Winner, Sheena Taff, stops by to share the new changes to expect at Vision Expo East. She goes over the new neighborhoods and gives us her best Vision Expo East tips!
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Feb 7, 2020
Meet Your Hosts!
We talk a little about what this podcast is all about and meet the hosts of the new OWA Talks Podcast, Stephanie and Sandra!
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