OWA Talks Podcast

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OWA Talks Podcast

Carissa and Tatiana

68 episodes

1 week ago

In this episode, Kasandra Riggs shares how her passion for service, leadership, and community engagement fuels her work at HOYA and beyond—empowering teams, mentoring future leaders, and creating lasting impact. About the guest: Kasandra ‘Kas’ Riggs is a passionate advocate for community service and volunteerism, with over 25 years of leadership experience in customer care. As Director of Customer Care at HOYA, she has spent the last nine years building high-performing teams and driving impac...

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In this episode, Kasandra Riggs shares how her passion for service, leadership, and community engagement fuels her work at HOYA and beyond—empowering teams, mentoring future leaders, and creating lasting impact. About the guest: Kasandra ‘Kas’ Riggs is a passionate advocate for community service and volunteerism, with over 25 years of leadership experience in customer care. As Director of Customer Care at HOYA, she has spent the last nine years building high-performing teams and driving impac...

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Episodes (20/68)

OWA Talks Podcast

Kas Riggs, HOYA

In this episode, Kasandra Riggs shares how her passion for service, leadership, and community engagement fuels her work at HOYA and beyond—empowering teams, mentoring future leaders, and creating lasting impact. About the guest: Kasandra ‘Kas’ Riggs is a passionate advocate for community service and volunteerism, with over 25 years of leadership experience in customer care. As Director of Customer Care at HOYA, she has spent the last nine years building high-performing teams and driving impac...

3 weeks ago

21 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

This month, Erin Peshoff joins OWA Talks to talk about applied positive psychology and teach us how to not just survive — but to thrive! Plus, she teases a fun event coming to Vision Expo West. About the guest: Erin Crotty Peshoff is the Director of Development at KeraLink International, where she leads all fundraising efforts with a strategic mindset and a heart for impact. With 25 years of experience across national consulting firms and nonprofit leadership, Erin is known for blending...

2 months ago

23 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

Wendy Hauteman, VSP Vision

As VSP Vision celebrates 70 years of helping people see, Chief Marketing Officer, Wendy Hauteman joins ‘OWA Talks’ to discuss how giving back can help you live a more meaningful and fulfilled life — both personally and professionally. About the guest: As the chief marketing officer (CMO) for VSP Vision, Wendy Hauteman leads the enterprise marketing and communications strategy to deliver products, services, and brand recognition to a diverse set of stakeholders, including more than 41,000 netw...

3 months ago

28 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

Jim McGrann, Advancing Eyecare

Charismatic and respected eyecare industry legend, Jim McGrann, joins OWA Talks to share his passion for the industry and shed a light on the benefits of ‘spreading your wings’ in optical. About the guest: Jim McGrann is an engaging, decisive and adaptable leader with a demonstrated history of delivering results in the healthcare, insurance, technology, supply chain and consulting industries. Mr. McGrann is an experienced CEO with a passion for helping businesses win in the marketplace ...

4 months ago

38 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

Ed Buffington, GPN Technologies

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 highly regarded and well-recognized industry executive with a bro...

5 months ago

22 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

Yang Yang, Bausch + Lomb

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 was appointed President, Vision Care, in June 2023, after previousl...

6 months ago

23 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

Benitha Mintz, Zyloware

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 Management. Strong finance professional with a Bachelor's degree ...

7 months ago

22 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

The OWA's International Expansion Committee

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, she completed high school and joined a foreign exchange prog...

8 months ago

32 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

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 practice. While maintaining true to her optometry roots, she is now t...

10 months ago

28 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

Colleen Arbus, Advancing Eyecare

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 ophthalmology surgical and capital sales, sales management, marketing, training, and ...

11 months ago

24 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

Tiara Claxton, Thélios

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 an entrepreneurial mindset. Tiara leads with empathy, empowering high-perf...

1 year ago

40 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

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 panelist and OWA Member. Connect with Sophia on LinkedIn or Instagram @Fox...

1 year ago

25 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

Cheryl Moore, GPN Technologies

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 Resources at GPN Technologies. She joined the company in 2012 and has ...

1 year ago

21 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

Mary Jones, Zyloware

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 optical field. With over 20 years of experience in the ...

1 year ago

26 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

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 looked back! Honored as a "Trailblazing Woman in Optical", Wendy ...

1 year ago

34 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

The OWA’s Digital Marketing Committee

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. Our guests share how they stay on top of marketing trends, digital marketing...

1 year ago

31 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

Barbara De Rigo of De Rigo Vision SPA

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, she moved to Milan where she studied Foreign Languages and Literature. Her ...

1 year ago

32 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

Dr. Brianna Rhue

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 and is looking for in a leader and how to bounce between it al...

1 year ago

27 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

Mimi, David and Liz Friedfeld of ClearVision

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 provides vision and leadership to all areas within the ClearVision organiz...

1 year ago

46 minutes

OWA Talks Podcast

Dr. Sarvitree Sukaromya

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. Sarvitree Sukaromya has been practicing optometry in Kansas City, MO ...

1 year ago

25 minutes