2024 Leadership Scholarship Awardees

The results of the October 2024 Leadership Scholarship nominations are in! The Leadership Scholarship Award recognizes OWA members who have served the OWA with their dedicated committee work and strong commitment to growing leadership roles for women in the optical industry. These grants are used for professional and personal development of the recipients who were nominated by other OWA members.

Many thanks go to our OWA Individual Contributors, whose donations help make these scholarships possible.

Congratulations To The 2024 Recipients:

• Mikki Collins, OWA Digital Marketing Committee (Safilo) 

• Judy Quinones, OWA Membership Committee (LensCrafters)

• Bonnie Whitfield, OWA Connection & Enrichment Committee (The Vision Council) 

The OWA’s Platinum Sponsors are also eligible to select an exceptional female employee who shows promise, dedication, and drive to also receive a Leadership Scholarship.

Additionally, Scholarship Recipients Through Platinum Sponsors:

• Natalie Ekmekchian, Brand Associate (De Rigo REM) 

• Jill Eldridge, Regional Sales Director (ClearVision) 

• Shellie Fahy, 3Os Regional Sales Manager (Safilo) 

• Meghan Jeffords, National Accounts Manager (Advancing Eyecare) 

• Kaitlin Jenkins, Global Sales Operations & Logistics (Zyloware) 

• Ally Kamelhar, Senior Content Specialist, Eyewear Communications (VSP Vision) 

• Patty Ledford, Data Integrity Manager (GPN Technologies) 

• Jenni Makher, Manager, Commercial Strategy & Business Development (Thelios) 

• Nicole McCentee, Director of Key Accounts (EssilorLuxottica) 

• Cristina Mystkowski, Director of Business Development (EssilorLuxottica) 

• Janetta Porter, Senior Director of Contact Lens Merchandising (National Vision) 

• Johanna Showfety, Senior Vision Care Territory Manager (Bausch + Lomb)

Valued at up to $2,000 each, these grants will be used to provide professional mentoring opportunities to each recipient. This continues to promote and support the OWA’s founding principles of connecting, inspiring, and leading women in the optical industry.

Congratulations, awardees!