Most Influential Women
OWA members are making waves in the industry and beyond!
Let’s celebrate these game-changing individuals and their inspiring strides—both professionally and personally.
OWA's Most Influential Women of 2023
Above and Beyond
Women who have led the way in giving back to the industry, their patients, and their communities.
Maureen Cavanagh
Vice President Key Accounts — Safilo
Canton, Massachusetts
Rebecca Giefer
CEO — Modo Americas
New York, New York
Judy Lew
Professional Development Director-Opticianry — EssilorLuxottica
Dallas, Texas
Courtney Myers
Senior Vice President — Red Havas
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Carol Wilbur
Executive Director — Optical Women's Association
Dallas, Texas
Executive Suite
Women who hold positions such as President, VP, CEO, CFO, CIO, or COO.
Lynn DiMarco
Regional Sales Manager Southeast — Silhouette
Richmond, Virginia
Barbara Lax
Co-Chief Operating Officer & CFO — ClearVision Optical Company
Hauppauge, New York
Cynthia McWilliams
Chief Officer of Sales — OGI Eyewear
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Simone Meskelis
Senior Vice President, ECP & Retail — Hoya Vision Care
Lewisville, Texas
Wendy Salle
Chief Merchandising Officer — New Look Vision Group USA
New York and Miami, Florida
Susy Yu, OD, MBA, FAAO
Director of Business Strategy & Operations Support — Vision Essentials by Kaiser Permanente
Los Angeles, California
Rising Stars
Women who are "up-and-comers" in their careers and companies.
Katie Lauver, ABOC
Chief Revenue Officer — GPN Technologies
Front Royal, Virginia
Erika Plank
Director, Provider Communications — VSP Vision
Rancho Cordova, California
Gwendolyn Plummer
Senior Associate Editor — Vision Monday
New York, New York
Cristin Sullivan
Director, Business Development — PERC and Opti-Port
St. Louis, Missouri
Mentors
Women who are team builders and developers of talent.
Gilda Mehraban
VP, Corporate Accounts & Business Development — Zyloware
Port Chester, New York
Amanda Shapiro
Vice President of Marketing — Europa Eyewear
Vernon Hills, Illinois
Stacey Soltis
National Sales Manager — Eyewear Designs
Bethpage, New York
Innovators
Women who have initiated new products, programs, or ideas marking success.
Mikki Collins
Founder, ROWT Magazine; Business Development Lead/Groups & Alliances — Safilo
Lake Stevens, Washington
Rose Harris
Senior Director, Marketing, North America — Transitions Optical
Pinellas Park, Florida