Dec. 6, 2023 — The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) has announced the recipients of its 2023 Leadership Scholarship Awards, valued at up to $2,000 each.
 
Each recipient has displayed dedication to the organization’s mission of growing leadership roles for women in the optical industry. The OWA thanks its individual contributors who make the scholarships possible.
 
Selected from nominations put forth in October, the following women will receive special leadership training:

• Katherine Cruz of Silhouette, member of the OWA Connection & Enrichment Committee
• Mary Lanning Jones of Zyloware, member of the OWA Connection & Enrichment Committee
• Shelley Logan of WestGroup, member of the OWA Membership Committee

 
Companies were invited to choose an exceptional employee to honor—a recently added benefit for OWA platinum sponsors. As a result, an additional 12 scholarships will be awarded to the following women:

• Heather Bethel, manager of lens and accessories merchandising at National Vision
• Monica Chopra, senior business data analyst at VSP Vision
• Reagan Colpitts, senior business development manager of the independent channel for North America at Safilo
• Liz Friedfeld, head of business development at ClearVision
• Lila Hanish, marketing associate at Thélios
• April Hatten, operations manager/eyecare alliance at Essilor Instruments
• Kristen Lukacs, creative manager at Zyloware
• Carly Meyerson, strategic business manager of U.S. vision care at Bausch + Lomb
• Stephanie McCoy, senior manager of the EyeMed provider experience at EssilorLuxottica
• Tracy Neal, director of customer support at GPN Technologies
• Chrissie Pattison, marketing events manager at Advancing Eyecare
• Lindsay Romah, business development lead at EssilorLuxottica

 
“Because our Individual contributors and sponsors continue to demonstrate their belief in our mission, the OWA, through the Leadership Scholarship Award program, is proud to provide avenues [that] prepare women for leadership roles at the highest levels,” says OWA president Lorie Lippiatt, O.D. “The diverse roles and responsibilities held by our talented list of achievers is another shining example of how the OWA supports all women in the industry who are passionate about furthering their professional and personal development.”