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NEW YORK—Women In Optometry (WO) has announced that its annual 2020 Women’s Leadership Conference will take place during the American Academy of Optometry’s Academy 2020 At Home annual meeting. Spanning three evenings—Tuesday, Oct. 13 through Thursday, Oct. 15—from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the Women’s Leadership Conference is packed with important information for women in the profession. The WO Leadership Conference offers unique content not offered at any other Industry conference or event,” said Marjolijn Bijlefeld, editor in chief of Women In Optometry.


“This conference offers content that is designed specifically for and by women. We will cover topics that encompass issues that are important and relevant to women professionals in the industry."

During the course of the three 2-hour sessions, a variety of issues will be presented and discussed. Each 2-hour session features panel presentations by leading women ODs discussing important issues and topics.

The first day’s program will begin with a welcome presentation from Dr. Barbara Caffery, AAO president. Keynote speaker Shemeka Brathwaite will kick off the program with a high energy discussion on a passionate, inspired workforce, "Fostering the Energy for Leadership." Shemeka specializes in training professional women on how to achieve peak performance, so they can have an energized executive presence and deliver impact. Also on day one is a first time ever Workforce & Demographic Update presentation that will be given in conjunction with the New England College of Optometry.

Day two of the Conference will feature sessions on self-advocacy and negotiating titled "What are You Worth?" This session will be followed by a presentation on communication titled "Making the Undiscussable Discussable!"

The day three agenda includes sessions on business leadership titled "Secrets of our Success" and a session on Practice Culture/Staffing, titled "Workplace Well-being: Creating a Productive and Positive Culture."

Also for day three will be the annual Women In Optometry’s Theia Awards that recognizes outstanding women professionals in the areas of Mentorship, Leadership, Innovation, Education and Outstanding Young OD.

There are two ways to register. If you are attending the 2020 Academy at home simply choose the 2020 Women's Leadership Conference as one of your events when you register at AAO (7-9:00PM EST October 13, 14 and 15). Click here to register.

If you are not attending the Academy 2020 at Home, you can still register for the Women's Leadership Conference at no charge. Click here to register for the Women's Leadership Conference if you are not attending the Academy.

More information about the Women In Optometry Women's Leadership Conference can be found here.