Get To Know The 2024 OWA Award Recipients

Next week during the annual OWA Champagne Breakfast and kick-off for Vision Expo East, Rebecca Giefer (MODO) will receive the Pleiades Award, Trudi Charest (CSI Dry Eye Software, Total Focus Consulting) the Pyxis Award, and Reagan Colpitts (Safilo) the Emerging Leader Award!

The OWA invites you to their Stars, Sips, & Scholarships Networking Event on Friday, March 15! Join us for networking over cocktails, and meet our Award Honorees! Read on to learn more about the individuals who exemplify a passion for promoting the role of women in our industry.

2024 Pleiades Award Recipient: Rebecca Giefer

CEO, Americas, MODO

Rebecca’s charity of choice: Opening Your Eyes Scholarship Foundation

Learn more about Rebecca:

What does winning this award mean to you?This award means a lot to me – it shows me that my career can have value to others.

What motivates you at work or on a personal level?

My drive has always been my family. First, it was my parents who fueled my work ethic; I came from an incredibly modest upbringing, when I say modest, I mean modest. My dad had a 7th grade education and worked in a factory in Minnesota his entire life. I always felt my work had to honor my parents first and I had to embrace the work ethic that was passed down to me. Eventually my motivation shifted, and I am grateful for the support of a partner who accepts the realities of my career and shows up for what’s most important. I am also motivated by my son, and his peer group — I love the kiddos and his generation, and I truly believe in their future.

Is there any guidance, person or event that has inspired you to reach this point in your career?

Modo’s founder and Global CEO, Alessandro Lanaro, has been my key mentor throughout my career. He first served as an example, and then he saw my potential and gave me an opportunity to fail or succeed. This opportunity came with some risk considering I didn’t come up through the traditional business route but rather through the basics of hard work and dedication.

What advice do you want women to hear today?You need to keep showing up to the table and fighting for yourself.

The theme for the event is ‘IMAGINE’, what do you imagine in your future (personally, professionally or for the OWA)?

I imagine a more diverse C-suite in our industry. We definitely see more women climbing the corporate ladder, but the female CEO’s in our industry are few and far between. 

One more ‘IMAGINE’ question for fun — if you could imagine any celebrity (historical or current) presenting this award to you, who would you choose and why?

Alicia Keys – I love her music and her confidence and often, I listen to her song called “Good Job,” which kicks off my mornings with a compliment to… me!… reminding me that I’m doing a good job. The power of positive self-talk and words is irrefutable.

2024 Pyxis Award Recipient: Trudi Charest

Chief Sales Officer, CSI Dry Eye SoftwarePresident, Total Focus Consulting

Trudi’s charity of choice: Women for Women International

Learn more about Trudi:

What does winning this award mean to you?Winning the Pyxis Award is an incredible honor for me. It signifies not only personal achievement but also the recognition of the collective effort to empower and uplift women in various facets of business and life. This award is a testament to the importance of solidarity among women, fostering an environment where support and encouragement lead to shared success.

What motivates you at work or on a personal level?

What motivates me at work and on a personal level is helping others become successful and paying it forward. Witnessing the positive impact that support, mentorship, and collaboration can have on the lives of those around me drives my commitment. I am fueled by the idea that every step forward for one individual is a stride toward progress for all. I am also a tad bit competitive…when someone says it can’t be done, I get busy.

Is there any guidance, person or event that has inspired you to reach this point in your career?

Throughout my career, the guidance of strong female mentors has been invaluable. Their wisdom and resilience have inspired me to overcome challenges and strive for excellence. Additionally, pivotal events, such as witnessing women break through glass ceilings, have fueled my determination to contribute to creating more opportunities for women in my field. This was such a male dominated industry when I started and now there are so many successful women rising to the top. I also have to mention my father who was instrumental in guiding me into the field — he was an Optician who owned an optical store and inspired me to follow in his footsteps. I wish he was still here to see how far I have come.

What advice do you want women to hear today?

The advice I would share with women today is to embrace their unique strengths and perspectives. Don’t shy away from challenges, but rather see them as opportunities for growth. Support and uplift other women, for our collective success is not just inspiring but essential for creating a more inclusive and equitable future. Step over fear and outside your comfort zone. Don’t settle for anything less than what you are passionate about. It’s true when they say if you love what you do it will never feel like work.

The theme for the event is ‘IMAGINE’, what do you imagine in your future (personally, professionally or for the OWA)?

Imagining my future, both personally and professionally, involves a vision of continuous growth and impact. I aspire to contribute significantly to the empowerment of women, fostering an environment where they can thrive and break barriers. On a personal level, I envision a life filled with meaningful connections and a balance between personal well-being and professional accomplishments. I have recently taken a step back from the marketing agency I founded to pursue more of what I am passionate about, which is speaking and training. For the OWA, I imagine it expanding its reach and influence, becoming a beacon of support and inspiration for women globally. I look forward to continuing to help with its mission.

One more ‘IMAGINE’ question for fun — if you could imagine any celebrity (historical or current) presenting this award to you, who would you choose and why?

If I could imagine any celebrity presenting this award to me, I would choose Michelle Obama. Her dedication to empowering women and advocating for equality aligns with the values of this award. Michelle Obama’s grace, intelligence, and impactful initiatives make her an inspirational figure, and having her present the award would be a tremendous honor and a source of motivation for women everywhere.

2024 Emerging Leader Award Recipient: Reagan Colpitts

Senior Business Development Manager, Safilo

Reagan’s charity of choice: Foundation for Women’s Cancer

Learn more about Reagan:

What does winning this award mean to you?

It truly is such a honor! Being recognized specifically in the leadership category is so rewarding to me. Over the years, I’ve focused on fine tuning my leadership skills, embracing challenges, and continuously learning to become a more effective and dynamic leader.

What motivates you at work or on a personal level?

At work, I love seeing the completion of a commercial program come together – from the first thought and opportunity to seeing it complete as a brand and program is so rewarding! I also love seeing the growth and development with the people on my team; when they are able to be recognized for their contributions and ideas and to grow within the company, it creates a very proud moment.

Is there any guidance, person or event that has inspired you to reach this point in your career?

When I was in the skincare industry, Melissa Daniels first gave me the opportunity to move from a sales rep into a leadership position. I learned a TON during my 5 years with Dermalogica from all angles – sales, marketing, education and PR. It was interesting being able to have exposure to all of these elements from a head office level and how we can inspire and motivate our sales team.

What advice do you would want women to hear today?

Take initiatives in your career; start pilot projects, create new structure and look for opportunities in everything. It is those opportunities and being able to capitalize on them that can help propel you in your career and show you as a leader and someone that can turn challenges into opportunities.

The theme for the event is ‘IMAGINE’, what do you imagine in your future (personally, professionally or for the OWA)?

I would love to imagine a world where there is work/life balance, a modern optical industry and equality in the work-force.

One more ‘IMAGINE’ question for fun — if you could imagine any celebrity (historical or current) presenting this award to you, who would you choose and why?

Ryan Gosling – because without Barbie there would be no Ken and I think it would be interesting to get a modern male perspective for the award