OWA Talks Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

This episode features three women from the newly formed International Expansion Committee — we hear how their careers were shaped, major differences in corporate culture abroad, and learn about all the exciting ways the OWA is going international!

About the guests:

Nancy Gries grew up in a small farming community in Wisconsin, and by the age of 17, was dreaming of exploring the world. With the encouragement of my supportive parents, she completed high school and joined a foreign exchange program in Brazil, inspiring her to continue studies in the UK, where she eventually began her career in optics in 1993—a career she's been passionate about ever since. 
In 2015, she took a leap of faith and founded her first brand, which eventually led to COTI Vision, a joint initiative with her business partner, Julie. Their breakthrough moment came in 2019 when they appeared on Dragon’s Den (UK version of Shark Tank), introducing COTI Vision to the world, which was a whirlwind experience that gave them the visibility and momentum to transform their vision into a thriving lifestyle brand. Today, COTI Vision operates in both the UK and Italy, sourcing globally. Being a member of the Optical Women’s Association since 2015 has given Nancy even more purpose to advocate for and celebrate women in every aspect of life and has fueled my passion for uplifting women and celebrating their stories.

Erminia Monzo is a passionate professional with more than 12 years-experience in the optical industry, who has covered multiple roles across business planning, trade marketing, marketing and is now responsible for defining the global marketing strategy as well as the Markets Educational Strategy for Leonardo, EssilorLuxottica learning ecosystem. Erminia holds a MSc in International Management, from both Bocconi University, Italy, and the Indian Institute of Management of Ahmedabad, India. She officially joined the OWA in 2024 and is part of the International Expansion Committee.

Agathe Zakarian is a French-German communications executive based in Paris.
As Head of Corporate Communications at Thélios, she leads global communication strategies and corporate brand initiatives for the eyewear entity of LVMH. Before joining the eyewear industry, she built her expertise in the sporting goods and fashion sectors, shaping corporate narratives and brand positioning.
Agathe holds a Master’s degree from Sciences Po Paris. She has been a member of the Optical Women’s Association since 2022 and actively contributes to its International Expansion Committee.

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Kristy Stone, Director of Member Education at PECAA and OWA Membership Committee representative, provides insight into the importance of education within the industry, what she is most proud of, and what the Membership Committee is all about. 

About the guest: 
Kristy started her optical career as an optometric technician and worked her way up to area manager, working in all facets of a multiple location eye care practice. While maintaining true to her optometry roots, she is now the Director of Member Education at Professional Eye Care Associates of America (PECAA), where she has been assisting members with their educational needs for four years. 

She is an avid OWA member who proudly serves on our Membership Committee where she works to spread awareness of the OWA and help prospective members with any questions. Additionally, Kristy was a 2024 Most Influential Women in Optical honoree.

While not busy planning webinars, CE events, and the PECAA Annual Meeting, Kristy can be found playing board games with her husband Chip, spoiling her French Bulldog Andre, traveling or attending concerts.

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Dr. Brianna Rhue talks with our co-hosts about scaling a business and everything along the journey. Going from an Optometrist to a woman in tech, building the 41st fastest growing company, to purchasing a practice and the hurdles to overcome. Hear how the patient / doctor relationship is so important in healthcare and when not understanding the business side, giving away our leverage. Understanding delegation, what your team wants and is looking for in a leader and how to bounce between it all as a wife, mom, business owner and entrepreneur. Learn how to go into exhibit halls and understand the value beyond the CE lectures.

About the guest: Brianna Rhue, OD, FAAO, FSLS,  earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona before earning her Doctorate of Optometry at Nova Southeastern University. She completed her residency at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami and is the owner of West Broward Eyecare in South Florida. 
Dr. Rhue is passionate about healthcare technology, myopia management, specialty contact lens fits and practice management. She enjoys sharing her love for technology and myopia management through speaking engagements to help optometrists understand business, technology and new areas of care to help all parties involved. 
Dr. Rhue is the co-founder of Dr. Contact Lens which made the INC 5000 list as the 41st fastest growing company in the US and TechifEYE. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, playing tennis, standing on her head in yoga and traveling.

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ClearVision Optical is a second-generation family-owned independent leader in the eyewear industry. Join us in this episode where we chat with not one, but three members of the Clear Vision family and discuss the values that have allowed the company to endure for 75 years.

About our guests:
David Friedfeld is President of ClearVision Optical, one of the largest family-owned eyewear distributors in North America. David provides vision and leadership to all areas within the ClearVision organization. Under his guidance, ClearVision has received countless honors and accolades from both the eyewear industry and the business community. David has appeared on several internet radio shows including The Growth Strategist, The CEO Show, and Power Hour and is a featured speaker at many industry-related events and functions. David has been a tremendous advocate for the implementation of 3D printing into the product development cycle at ClearVision. An avid new media follower, David strongly embraces new and innovative technology while remaining committed to meeting the needs of customers in today's ever-changing technological landscape. David loves reading and running and spending time with his wife Vicki and children Luke, Faith, Jake and Sam.

Mimi Friedfeld began her career with ClearVision Optical in 1968. Over the years, she managed the accounting and personnel departments and contributed to design of the company's fashionable eyewear products. She helped her beloved husband Fred Friedfeld, the company founder, grow the family-run business from a small regional wholesaler to one of today's most respected leading optical distribution companies. She is an icon in the industry and recognized for her leadership and mentorship with the OWA Pleiades Award in 2005. She's been an active member of the OWA since its inception. Mimi loves reading, art, theater, and spending time with all her children and grandchildren.

Liz Friedfeld leads ClearVision's business development department and responsible for growing strategic partnerships and optimizing lead generation. As a subject matter expert and CVO ambassador, Liz travels as a speaker on market trends, customer service excellence, and building a winning culture. Liz sits on the Board of the Optical Women Association co-chairing the Membership Committee. Under her stewardship, the OWA has seen a surge in membership with a record-breaking year in '23. Liz was recognized as One of the Most Influential Women in Optical and awarded an OWA Leadership Scholarship Award. Liz recently completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher training certification in January 2024 and loves traveling with her husband Eric and children Sophie, Daniel and Izzy.

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With a mother who worked as a nurse, Dr. Sukaromya, knew from a young age she wanted to help people. Listen to this episode of ‘OWA Talks’ to her about incredible passion to help people, patients, and the industry at large. She also shares her insights on owning her own practice, staffing shortages, navigating times of change and participating in optometric missions to Granada, El Salvador, and Mexico.

About our guest: Dr. Sarvitree Sukaromya has been practicing optometry in Kansas City, MO since 2006. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Rockhurst University, she completed her Doctorate of Optometry degree from the University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry. She has experience in owning her own practice and has participated in optometric missions to Granada, El Salvador, and Mexico. For the past 14 years, she has been an Associate Optometrist for America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Three of those years she was an Area Doctor of the Kansas City Market with assigned Doctors to her. During that time, she maintained clinical care standards, provided supplemental training support when new equipment and electronic health records were implemented, and fostered effective communication amongst the Doctors and the staff for efficiency. Her areas of interest are primary eye care and contact lenses.
When not seeing patients, Dr. Sukaromya serves as the Communications Coordinator on the Missouri Optometric Association staff in Jefferson City, Missouri. She has been in this role since August 2023 encouraging Doctors of Optometry in private and corporate practice to advocate for the profession. She keeps association member Doctors informed of the latest on scope of practice discussions, upcoming continuing education events and highlighting member Doctors in their practices.
She was a recent graduate of the American Optometric Association Leadership Institute 2.0, November 2023. She was also a Featured Leader in Women of Optometry in an article Moving the Profession Forward, November 2023.
Dr. Sukaromya and her husband, Clifton, have two sons, Julian and Braxton, and the loving memory of their daughter, Olive. In her spare time, she likes getting her hands dirty in the garden and corralling her growing number of pets.
She is a member of the Optometric Society of Greater Kansas City, Missouri Optometric Association, American Optometric Association and as of this year 2024, the Optical Women's Association!

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It’s a new year and OWA Talks is kicking 2024 off with a bang by featuring a very special guest, newly inducted OWA President, Dr. Lorie Lippiatt! In this episode, Dr. Lippiatt shares her unique journey within the OWA, her inspiring vision for the OWA’s future during her term as President, and exciting musings she has on different career ‘stages.’

About our guest: Lorie Lippiatt, OD is a 1988 graduate of The Ohio State University, College of Optometry. She founded The Salem Eyecare Center, Inc. in 1989, and remained owner and President for 33 years before partnering with MyEyeDr. in 2021. Dr. Lippiatt was instrumental in the development of electronic medical records for optometrists and technology integration, lecturing nationally on these topics while consulting for numerous companies in the industry. Dr. Lippiatt joined the Optical Women's Association in 2004, and has been a board member since 2013, prior to her presidency in 2023. Dr. Lippiatt currently resides in Ohio and Florida, and enjoys optometry, greenhouse gardening, pickleball, and spending time with her dog, Betty Boop.

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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.

About our guest: Tracy Neal has been in the optical industry for more than 33 years. She has worked in all areas of optometric practice, from working the front desk to being an optometric technician to being Practice Manager with her COPT. Now, with GPN Technologies since 2020, Tracy is the Director of Customer Support. She has been an active member of the OWA since 2021 and enjoys being on their Communications & Website Committee.

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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.

About our guest: Michelle Skinner leads a centralized, doctor-facing sales organization for VSP Vision, an eye health company with 85 million members and more than 41,000 network doctors. In her role as Chief Growth Officer, Michelle oversees supply chain revenue, provider relations, strategic partnerships, PECAA (a doctor alliance group), and Premier Edge, the company's flagship program for providers.

Michelle holds a bachelor's degree from California State University, Sacramento, and was named one of Vision Monday's "Most Influential Women in Optical" in 2009 and 2016. She has been married for almost 30 years and has two kids. She lives in Sacramento, California, and in her free time, enjoys long-distance running.

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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.

About our guest: Dr. Jill Saxon, an optometrist and fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, is the Executive Director of Professional Strategy at Bausch + Lomb. Dr. Saxon first joined Bausch + Lomb in 2014 and has almost two decades of experience in optometry. She is a distinguished lecturer, exceptional provider of patient care, and an established industry leader.
In her current role at Bausch + Lomb, Dr. Saxon is responsible for helping to develop and launch new vision care innovations for eye care professionals. As the company's internal voice, she works with doctors to bring solutions to the marketplace that help address their patients' needs. She also shares industry insights and education with colleagues and fellow optometrists nationwide.
Dr. Saxon first began her career as a Lieutenant at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, where she cared for many of the nation's leaders. Throughout this time, she also mentored, educated, and trained optometry students. Directly following her time in the Navy, she was an independent optometrist. It was during this time that she learned of an opportunity to join Bausch + Lomb, where she helps thousands of providers around the world provide better care for their patients.
She is a member of the Armed Forces Optometric Society, the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians, and the American Optometric Association.

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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.

About the new hosts:
Carissa Dunphy, ABOC, is a Marketing Specialist at Professional Eye Care Associates of America (PECAA) where she promotes the business needs for more than 12,000 independent eye care professionals nationwide. Carissa has passionately worked in the independent ECP space since 2008, and founded Optician Now, which provides educational resources and optical expertise. As the Vice-Chair of the OWA's Communications and Website Committee, and now the OWA Talks co-host, she is thrilled to further contribute to the future growth and collaboration within the industry.

Tatiana Stewart is the Public Relations Supervisor at VSP Vision, where she leads the organization's Public Relations Team and sets media strategies that will enhance VSP Vision's brand presence and strengthen its position as a national leader in health-focused eye care. With 15 years' experience coaching and training executives and C-suite leaders on how to work with and communicate with the press corps, Tatiana makes a great addition to the OWA Talks Podcast. She has a passion for storytelling and a reporter's curiosity. As co-host, she looks forward to asking the right questions to learn the things OWA members want to know from some of the optical industry's top leaders.

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