OWA Through The Years

In 1997, a group of women set out with a goal to cultivate women’s roles as leaders in business and make room for all women in the industry to take part and reap the benefits.

Our Mission

The Beginning

The first planning meeting for what would become the OWA took place at a hotel room while some of the founding members were in California for a Vision Expo. Here, 13 women gathered who were all searching for more support and other women who were building their careers in the optical industry. They asked each other:

How could women get to know more about the business?

What was it like to be a female in communications, in marketing, in product design, in buying, in instruments, in opticianry and optometry and retail management?

What about women trying to run their own company?

With that, the OWA was born.

Moving Forward

Each year, the OWA became better structured and more organized on how to build a group that would cultivate women’s roles as leaders. The group saw the value of being part of something bigger than themselves and worked to make it a reality.

Over time, with each new President and board of directors, and thanks to the financial support from companies throughout the industry, more OWA structure, programs, events and gatherings were created.

All the former OWA presidents share the gratitude and satisfaction of knowing that the organization is reaching a larger number of women than ever in its history. OWA is moving into the future – and fast!

Past OWA Presidents

Deb Bulken

EssilorLuxottica

2021-2023

What I Love About OWA:

I love having the opportunity to engage with like-minded 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!

Additional Content By / About This Past-President:

OWA Connects Blog Launch (Blog)
First Town Hall (Blog)
2018 Pyxis Award Recipient (Award)
Deb on the OWA Talks Podcast (Podcast)
Mentorship Matters (OMI)
Happy Every Day! (OMI)
It's More Than Just a Hashtag . . . (OMI)
Keep Your Options Open (OMI)

Robyn Crimmins

VSP

2019-2021

What I Love About OWA:

The opportunity to connect, share, and learn from the talented women in our industry!

Additional Content By / About This Past-President:

2017 Most Influential Women (Award)
Believe in Your Ideas and Others Will, Too! (OMI)
The Year of Optical 2020! (OMI)
Trip Tips OWA-Style (OMI)
Let's Take the Time to Be Healthy (OMI)
Grow Where You're Planted (OMI)

Tiara Claxton

Thelios

2017-2019

What I Love About OWA:

I am dedicated to this organization purely for what we support; "To enhance and promote the leadership role of women in the optical industry through networking, education and peer support." I love working along side, connecting and networking with like-minded individuals!

Additional Content By / About This Past-President:

Interview with Tiara Claxton: Pathway to Leadership in the OWA (Blog)
2013 Pyxis Award Recipient (Award)
Do More in 2020 & Be . . . (OMI)
OWA Doing More in 2019! (OMI)
A Fresh New Year (OMI)

Maureen Cavanagh

Essilor

2016-2017

What I Love About OWA:

Throughout my entire career, I have always made an effort to encourage women to achieve their full potential. It has been a privilege and honor to represent women within the optical industry. There are a tremendous number of women who are inspired, motivated and touched everyday by the exceptional initiatives of the OWA, and we are all united in our approach to foster an association which provides support and guidance to such an outstanding group of distinguished women.

Additional Content By / About This Past-President:

2011 and 2023 Most Influential Women (Award)
2015 Pleiades Award Recipient (Award)

Heather Smith

Essilor

2016-2017

What I Love About OWA:

The OWA has created a place for women in our industry to connect with each other and foster relationships that may not be possible otherwise. OWA members have access to a variety of tools that help them, but more than that, they get real opportunities to showcase their talent and develop their own professional roles.

Additional Content By / About This Past-President:

2012 Most Influential Women (Award)

Christie Walker

Jobson Optical Group

2013-2015

What I Love About OWA:

I've been in the OWA since day one. I started in the optical industry in February 1997, and we founded the OWA that following September. Can't imagine working in the business without the support and friendship of my OWA sisters. I love how the OWA is always looking to improve itself and never falters from its mission of promoting the leadership role of women in the optical industry. I KNOW I wouldn't be where I am today without this amazing organization.

Additional Content By / About This Past-President:

2011 Pleiades Award Recipient (Award)
2012 Most Influential Women (Award)
Then & Now — Christie Walker: Founding OWA Member (Newsletter)

Ann E. Englert

Solutions

2011-2013

Additional Content By / About This Past-President:

2016 Pyxis Award Recipient (Award)
2013 Most Influential Women (Award)

Laurie Badone

Carl Zeiss Vision Inc.

2009-2011

Additional Content By / About This Past-President:

2005 Most Influential Women (Award)

Grady Culbreth

Grady & Associates, Inc.

2007-2009

Additional Content By / About This Past-President:

2003 and 2007 Most Influential Women (Award)
2013 Lifetime Achievement Recipient (Award)
Then & Now — Grady Culbreth, Past OWA President (Newsletter)

Sherrie Rogerson

REM Eyewear

2006-2007

Additional Content By / About This Past-President:

2014 Pleiades Award Recipient (Award)
2003 Most Influential Women (Award)

Rene Soltis

Vision Council

2005-2006

Additional Content By / About This Past-President:

2009 Pleiades Award Recipient (Award)
2004 Most Influential Women (Award)

Corinne McCormack

FGXI, Corinne McCormack, Inc.

2004-2005

Additional Content By / About This Past-President:

2010 Most Influential Women (Award)
2017 Pinnacle Award Recipient (Award)
Then & Now — Corinne McCormack, Entrepreneur, Business Developer, OWA Member (Newsletter)

Lorinda Fraboni

Walman Optical

2002-2004

What I Love About OWA:

Being a founding member of the OWA, I love this organization because it introduced me to so many wonderful and powerful women in the industry. Growing up in the laboratory environment and then IT, I was surrounded by powerful and amazing men, and it was such an eye opener to meet all the women of status in the OWA, many who are now my very good friends. I am still involved 25+ years later and love every minute of it.

Additional Content By / About This Past-President: