Sept. 17, 2021 — The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) has announced its new president and three additional board members.

Deb Bulken, Luxottica’s vice president of sales (Eastern region) and previous OWA vice president has assumed the role of OWA president.

The organization also announced additional board members: Trudi Charest, co-founder of Marketing4ECPs; Courtney Myers, senior vice president of Red Havas; and Janna Neal, vice president of operations for Zyloware.

“The unique talent and perspective that Courtney, Janna, and Trudi bring to the board further amplifies our commitment to representing and developing the leadership potential of all women in the optical industry,” says Bulken.

The OWA shared thanks to departing board members Tiara Claxton, Southwest regional sales manager for Thelios, and Pamela Capaldi, myopia management specialist for CooperVision, and outgoing president Robyn Crimmins, VSP’s division vice president of commercial markets West.

“Robyn’s impact on the OWA and its mission has been extraordinary,” says Bulken. “Leading through the unusual and challenging past two years, she has shown great agility and conviction. Her commitment to growing the OWA and delivering on the promise to our valued sponsors and members has been inspiring. As a board, we have all grown and invested deeply in seeing all women in the optical industry achieve their leadership potential. It is a journey I am proud to be a part of, and I look forward to building on Robyn’s great legacy!”

The OWA shares that during Crimmins’ term, successful new programs were created to further OWA’s purpose of supporting and inspiring women in the optical industry (the OWA Advisory Groups, the OWA Talks podcasts, the Food for Thought program, and the OWA Reads book discussion group) and traditional in-person events were successfully converted to a virtual format due to the Covid-19 pandemic.The Leadership Scholarship program was expanded and an OWA Finance Committee was formed. 

Crimmins will remain on the OWA board as immediate past president for two years and co-chair of the OWA nominating committee.