DALLAS—The Optical Women’s Association default.asp (OWA) recognized its next Leadership Scholarship awardees. The Leadership Scholarship Award recognizes OWA members who have served the OWA with their dedicated committee work, service, and commitment to growing leadership roles for women in the optical industry. The grants, valued at up to $2,000 each, will be used to provide professional mentoring opportunities to each recipient, while continuing to promote OWA's founding principles of connecting, inspiring, and leading women in the optical industry.

The three women selected from the nominations put forth in October 2020 are:

•Stephanie Espinosa, "OWA Talks" podcast host, Bel Villaggio Eye Care
• Sandra Mohr, "OWA Talks" podcast host, New England College of Optometry
• Courtney Myers, vice chair, OWA Events Committee, Red Havas

An additional six scholarships will be awarded as the result of a newly added benefit for OWA’s Platinum Sponsors. Each company was asked to choose an exceptional female employee who shows promise, dedication, and drive to also receive this professional opportunity. These six women recognized by their companies with OWA scholarships are:

• Jasmine Broussard, senior director, HR Business Partner, Essilor
• Cathy Firman, director of Customer Success, GPN Technologies
• Kathie Sapnas, regional sales manager, Luxottica
• Kylie Matya, sales director-senior sales manager of the West, Safilo
• Kristen Reynolds Hopper, State Optometric Assoc. relationship manager, VSP
• Arlene Rinaldi, product development coordinator, Zyloware

OWA President Robyn Crimmins, division vice president, commercial markets West, for VSP Optics, stated, “We are incredibly proud of this impressive list of deserving women and our ability to support them on their leadership path. We are grateful to our sponsors and Individual Contributors for giving us the opportunity to develop future leaders by inspiring them through a variety of programs such as OnStage Leadership (Kimberly Davis), Dare to Lead (Brene Brown Executive Coaching), and RISE Women’s Conference (Rachel Hollis).”

Founded in 1997 as a nonprofit, the Optical Women’s Association is committed to supporting and promoting the professional development of women involved in all facets of the optical industry. As the vision of the OWA evolves and expands, it maintains the focus of the OWA’s founding principles and core mission: to enhance and promote the leadership role of women in the optical industry through networking, education and peer support.