OWA Talks Podcast

In this episode, longtime OWA supporter Ed Buffington, Executive Advisor and former CEO of GPN Technologies, joins OWA Talks to share about the women who have impacted his personal life and 46-year career in optical.

About the guest:
C. Edward (“Ed”) Buffington has been deeply engaged with the eye care industry for more than 46 years. His experience includes senior management in the contact lens and eye care technology. Ed is a ...

In this episode, we are joined by Yang Yang, President, Vision Care at Bausch + Lomb, who shares her experiences throughout her 11+ years in the eye care industry, wisdom she learned throughout her career, and advice for others to grow their careers and leadership opportunities. Yang Yang also provides insights on mentorship, how travel can enrich your role, and her hopes for the future of eye care.

About the guest:
Yang Yang wa...

Tax season is upon us! Listen to this timely episode as we’re joined by Benitha Mintz, the CFO of Zyloware, as she offers unique insights on her approach to personal finances. 

About the guest:
Benitha Mintz is an experienced Chief Financial Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the apparel and optical industry. Skilled in Cash Flow, Budgeting, Microsoft Excel, Cash Management, Human Resources, Logistics and IT Manag...

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, ...

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 pract...

In this episode, we learn how to “PIVOT!” Colleen Arbus teaches us the value of being able to pivot both personally and professionally. She also shares tips and tricks for how to apply sales techniques in your everyday life. 

About the guest:
Colleen Arbus, National Sales Director, INNOVA Medical Ophthalmics, at Advancing Eyecare.
Results-driven multiple award-winning leader with a strong background in
ophthalm...

Tiara Claxton, former OWA President and Regional Sales Manager at Thélios, gives us the behind-the-scenes tea on Silmo, the early days at OWA, the Past-President's Retreat and more! 

About the guest:
Tiara Claxton is a dynamic leader in the luxury eyewear industry with over 30 years of expertise in brand and sales management. Recognized internationally, she is deeply committed to advancing the industry, fueled by ...

Sophia is contagiously happy, oh so colorful and calling her an eyewear enthusiast would be an understatement. In this episode, we discuss the importance of continued learning and being your authentic self, "It is important to invest in yourself and push yourself to greatness." 

About the guest:
Sophia Pray is the Office Manager and head Optician at Huntley Eye Care, Transitions Change Agent, INVISION Brain Squad ...

The True Value of a Healthy Workplace Culture: In this episode, OWA Talks is joined by Cheryl Moore, HR Director at GPN Technologies. Listen as we discuss the importance of a strong workplace culture with a seasoned HR expert. We’ll hear tips on how to positively impact the culture around you and what to do if you’re not happy about the current culture where you work. 

About the guest:
Cheryl is the Director of Human Resour...

Pushing Boundaries & Being Your Own Champion: Often times, women who are driven and successful tend to avoid highlighting their own accomplishments. In this episode, OWA Talks is joined Mary Jones, Senior Manager of Professional Business Development at Zyloware. Follow along as we discuss with Mary why it is so important to be your own champion and to highlight your own accomplishments.

About the guest: 
Mary is an expert in...

The secret to marketing your business is YOU! Hear from our guest in this episode on how to style your way to success.

About the guest:  An award-winning licensed optician, Wendy is also an image consultant and optical sales trainer.
After a 10-year opticianry career, Wendy retired from the traditional brick and mortar optical shop and created a new mobile optical service; she launched Perceptions Eyewear in 1997 and never looke...

This month's visitors are three chairpersons from the Digital Marketing Committee, who provide us with insider knowledge on their committee's inner workings. Chair Kerri Ann Raimo, Vice-Chair Reagan Colpitts, and Associate Chair Kayla Ashlee detail how their committee serves the OWA by connecting authentically through digital channels, what members may not know, and how YOU can help improve the OWA's social presence....

In this episode, OWA Talks is joined by Barbara De Rigo of De Rigo Vision SPA. Listen as we discuss YALEA, an exciting De Rigo house brand, created and launched in collaboration with our guest, that promotes contemporary women and seeks to help enhance their personal growth and empowerment.

About the guest: Barbara De Rigo was born in Cortina d' Ampezzo and, after graduating as a Parliamentary Interpreter in Bologna, ...

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 ...

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 ...

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....

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 Uni...

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 gr...

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 mo...