OWA Talks Podcast

Carissa and Tatiana
  • 5.0 (6)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Welcome to the OWA Talks podcast from the Optical Women's Association! Our two hosts, Carissa and Tatiana, interview esteemed guests who connect, inspire, and lead women in the optical, optometry, and ophthalmology industries.

  1. Ashley Mills, The Vision Council

    3D AGO

    Ashley Mills, The Vision Council

    The Future of the Industry and Innovation at Vision Expo 2026. In this episode, we sit down with Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council, to explore the innovations, trends, and big‑picture forces shaping the industry and how to see it all at Vision Expo 2026. About the guest: Ashley brings over 20 years of progressive trade association management, marketing and leadership experience to The Vision Council. Ashley returned to The Vision Council as the vice president of trade shows & meetings in January 2016 after serving as The Vision Council's director of marketing & shows from 2003-2006. A graduate of The University of Maryland, Ashley lives in Bethesda, Maryland with her two children, husband and dog. Like this episode? Please subscribe and share! iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | Amazon Connect with the OWA: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

    21 min
  2. Scott Shapiro, Europa Eyewear

    FEB 3

    Scott Shapiro, Europa Eyewear

    What does it take to transform a family business into a powerhouse for independent eyewear? And why would a former comedian be the one to do it? In this episode, Scott Shapiro shares his journey from the stage to the boardroom. About the guest: Scott Harris Shapiro is the Executive Director of Europa Eyewear, a company founded by his parents in 1977, where he grew up in the business and now leads its growth, including pioneering American luxury eyewear manufacturing with brands like State Optical Co., American Optical (AO) Eyewear, and serving as the Immediate Past Chair of The Vision Council. He transitioned from a career as a radio personality and comedian, bringing communication skills back to the family business after his father's passing, focusing on supporting independent optometry and high-quality, U.S.-made frames. Like this episode? Please subscribe and share! iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | Amazon Connect with the OWA: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

    41 min
  3. Megan Molony, OWA President / Europa Eyewear

    JAN 6

    Megan Molony, OWA President / Europa Eyewear

    New Year, New President: Ring in 2026 with ‘OWA Talks’ and Megan Molony! It’s a new Year and OWA Talks is kicking 2026 off with a bang! Listen to this episode as we sit down with new OWA President Megan Molony to hear about her vision for the future of the organization. About the guest: As CEO of Europa Eyewear, Megan Molony oversees the full Europa platform, including Europa Eyewear and eyebobs, as well as future acquisitions, while working closely with the board of directors to set and execute the company’s long-term strategic vision. Molony has nearly 30 years of optical industry experience, with a strong track record in merchandising, customer experience, managed care, operations, and innovation. Most recently, she served as chief merchandising and managed vision care officer at National Vision, Inc., and has held key leadership roles at Essilor of America and Luxottica North America, gaining deep expertise across both retail and wholesale environments. Molony also serves as President of the Optical Women’s Association for the 2025-2027 term. Like this episode? Please subscribe and share! iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | Amazon Connect with the OWA: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

    21 min
  4. Amanda Frugé, EssilorLuxottica

    12/02/2025

    Amanda Frugé, EssilorLuxottica

    Amanda Frugé joins us to talk smart eyewear and leadership. From Ray-Ban Meta to coaching top-performing teams, she shares insights on innovation, growth, and empowering women in optical.  About the guest: With 25 years of sales experience, Amanda Frugé joined the EssilorLuxottica team in 2014 as a Ray-Ban sales consultant. She quickly rose within the company, and was named Vice President of Sales, Ray-Ban. She has received several honors during her tenure with EssilorLuxottica, including president’s circle and regional sales manager of the year in 2020. "I am inspired by the people I am honored to work alongside every day. My teammates, direct reports, and sales leaders have taught me so much. Each day, we work together to perfect our craft. I love that our company mission is to ‘See More, Be More,’” she said. "It is never lost on me that our frames hold the lenses that change the way people see the world.” Frugé said she strives daily to maintain a positive mindset, positive energy and lead by example, keeping her perspective and passion at the forefront every day. She said, "I believe these two traits go hand-in-hand, solidifying trust and relationships. I coach my team on doing hard things.” Like this episode? Please subscribe and share! iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | Amazon Connect with the OWA: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

    25 min
  5. Francesca Pucci, Kering Eyewear

    11/04/2025

    Francesca Pucci, Kering Eyewear

    How do you lead a top-performing luxury sales district while juggling newborn diapers, elder care, and grief - all with a smile? Francesca Pucci joins us to share her refreshingly honest take on leadership, motherhood, and the power of not folding the laundry. About the guest: Francesca Pucci is a Luxury Sales District Director with an MBA in Executive and Organizational Leadership. Her career includes demonstrated success in both the retail and medical sales industries, with a track record of driving sales growth and profitability. Like this episode? Please subscribe and share! iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | Amazon Connect with the OWA: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

    28 min
  6. Kas Riggs, HOYA

    10/07/2025

    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 impactful initiatives. Additionally, Kas serves as HOYA North America's One Vision Country Manager, championing the pillars of Community, Environment and Workplace. Guided by the principle "Focus on a Better Tomorrow, Today," she leads local One Vision ambassadors across the US and Canada, who support our communities, reduce our environmental impact, and foster a safe and diverse workplace. Beyond her professional role, Kas is deeply committed to making a difference. She has served on the Board of Volunteers of America Texas, led a mentorship program with the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, and co-facilitated anti-racism initiatives with Hope For All Colors. Kas’s dedication to service was sparked in childhood, delivering food to rural families with her father—an experience that shaped her lifelong mission to uplift others. Her contributions were recently recognized when she was honored as a Black History Leader in Dallas-Fort Worth. A former expatriate who lived in Uruguay for three years, Kas brings a global perspective to leadership and service. She is a driving force for positive change, making an impact one community, one team, and one act of kindness at a time. Like this episode? Please subscribe and share! iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | Amazon Connect with the OWA: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

    21 min
  7. Erin Peshoff

    09/02/2025

    Erin Peshoff

    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 analytical rigor with a gift for nurturing teams and creating systems that consistently exceed goals. A proud graduate of Marquette University (BA) and the College of William & Mary (MEd), Erin also holds a Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology. She is a frequent speaker on data-driven development and the role of AI in the social sector. Erin lives in Leesburg, Virginia with her blended family of five. Like this episode? Please subscribe and share! iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | Amazon Connect with the OWA: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

    23 min
  8. Wendy Hauteman, VSP Vision

    08/05/2025

    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 network doctors and 85 million members. In her 10-plus years with VSP, she has served in a variety of senior leadership roles including senior vice president of marketing for VSP Vision Care and global strategic marketing. As CMO, she is a trusted advisor to the CEO and is focused on driving the company’s purpose to empower human potential through sight by building corporate social responsibility and thought leadership programs. Hauteman’s 25-plus years of marketing and communications experience includes consumer-packaged goods and a comprehensive understanding of the optical industry, specializing in vision insurance and retail optical segments. Before joining VSP, she led marketing and visual merchandising efforts for the Luxottica retail chains of Pearle Vision and ILORI Optical. She is known for leading high-performing teams and making a positive impact through charitable work. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and a master’s degree in marketing and business from Xavier University.  Like this episode? Please subscribe and share! iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | Amazon Connect with the OWA: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to the OWA Talks podcast from the Optical Women's Association! Our two hosts, Carissa and Tatiana, interview esteemed guests who connect, inspire, and lead women in the optical, optometry, and ophthalmology industries.

Information

  • Creator
    Carissa and Tatiana
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 OWA Talks Podcast
  • Show Website
    OWA Talks Podcast