Almost 30 years ago, I boarded a smoky trans-Atlantic flight to Milan for my very first Mido show. I was just one week into a new job as the editor-in-chief of FrameBuyer magazine, a new offshoot of Eyecare Business.

As an optical industry neophyte, I had the great fortune to be seated in the nonsmoking section between our publisher Bill Capuzzi and next to David and Peter Friedfeld of ClearVision Optical. Seasoned travelers, Peter and Bill donned their eye masks upon takeoff and promptly went to sleep. David instead took the opportunity during the eight-hour flight to provide an extensive primer on the vision care and eyewear industry. I arrived exhausted but incredibly inspired. For this—and for the scores of people who have inspired, educated, and supported me along the way—I am truly grateful.

Over the years to come, and many more Vision Expos, Silmos, and Midos, I became the editor-in-chief of 20/20 magazine, took a sojourn into consumer publishing as the founding editor of the award-winning SoHo Style magazine and more, and came full circle as the editor-in-chief of EB.

This year, I am incredibly honored to receive the Optical Women’s Association’s 2022 Pleiades Award, which recognizes support in advancing the leadership role of women in the optical industry. The work the OWA does for our market is truly invaluable. It has been a privilege to serve on the OWA Board of Directors and so fulfilling to help mentor our own teams and other OWA groups.

As we gather again in person for the first Vision Expo East since 2019, I look forward to celebrating with the other inspiring OWA awardees—Pyxis Award recipient Laura Dorris, and Emerging Leader Awardees Katie Lauver and Jennifer Stewart, O.D.—at the OWA’s exciting Champagne Breakfast on March 31. [Learn more at opticalwomen.com.]

I continue to be inspired by this market and by you, our reader, each and every day. This industry is like a family, and there is no doubt that you have become a part of mine.

Erinn Morgan,
Editor-in-Chief + Editorial Director
Director of Social Media, PentaVision