2024 Emerging Optical Leaders

Emerging Optical Leaders

Meet the 2024 Emerging Optical Leaders

The Vision Council Foundation is committed to supporting the future growth of the optical industry. Through the Emerging Optical Leaders program, individuals early in their career are exposed to ample networking opportunities, mentorship connections and access to exclusive industry events and meetings.

Participation consists of in-person meetings, virtual meetings, networking events and supporting one of the Three Core Pillars throughout the year. As a member of the EOL Committee, EOLs are asked to attend two committee meetings at minimum. Throughout the year, EOLs are also invited to attend virtual meetings.


Shaping the Future of the Eyewear and Eyecare

The 2024 Emerging Optical Leaders include: 

Chair

Tyler Payne
Executive Vice President, Icare Labs, Inc./Essilor Partner

Vice Chair

Mollie Tavel Kaback
VP, Purpose & Strategic Partnerships, City Optical

Members:

Devon Abblitt
Director of Business Development, Quantum Innovations, Inc.

Ashley Brennan
ECP Channel Manager, Hoya Optical

Kristin Calimlim
Director of Marketing & Communications, Lafont Co. USA

Maria Covarrubias
Process Engineer, Laboratorio Optimex SA De CV

Susan Daly
Director, Optical Strategy and Development, IDOC

Ryan Davis
Icare Labs, Inc./Essilor Partner

Jessica Engler
Sales Director, Allure Eyewear

Emily Fellows
Senior Lens Buyer, ShopKo Optical – (Green Bay)

Justin Fowler
District Lab Manager, Eyemart Express

Lucas Friedfeld
ClearVision Optical

Jackie Frumkin
Vice President Business Development, Eye Q Eyewear, Inc.

Zach Frumkin
VP of Operations, Eye Q Eyewear, Inc.

Charles Gaston
Manager, CEV Collection

Amelia Hetfield
VP Center Operations, Wisconsin Vision, Inc.

Courtney Hughes
Regional Account Manager, Retail Channel, Hoya Optical Labs of America, Inc.

Michael Hyman
VP of Sales, Visual Eyes Eyewear, Inc.

Adam Hyman
VP of Product, Visual Eyes Eyewear, Inc.

Kent Iglehart
General Manager, City Optical

Stefanie Johnson
Regional Pre-Production Manage, Hoya Vision Care – Cleveland

Steve Jones
Regional Manager, Shamir Insight, Inc.

Jason Kaplan
Sales Consultant, Modern Optical International

Gabe Kester
Quantum Innovations, Inc.

Kim Kochendorfer
Territory Manager, Hoya Vision Care – Canada

Patrice Leslie
Carl Zeiss Vision, Inc.

Aaron Liener
Sales Consultant, A & A Optical Company

Minerva Maldonado
Sr. Buyer, Luxottica Retail North America

Zach McLean
Dietz-McLean Optical Co Inc

Hugh McManus
Marketing Director, Super Optical International

Melissa Munoz
Sr. Channel Marketing Manager, Neurolens

Caitlin Northup
VP, Marketing & Product, Eyenavision Inc

Danny Payne
President, Icare Labs, Inc./Essilor Partner

Albert Pogorschelske
US Sales Manager, Horizons Optical of America LLC

Nolan Rhyne
Sr. Product Marketing Specialist, HELIX, a Division of EssilorLuxottica

Jamal Robinson
CEO, CEV Collection

Marcelo Sanchez, A
Senior Partnerships and Activations Associate, Zenni Optical

Emma Shelley
Operations Manager, Icare Labs, Inc./Essilor Partner

Timothy  Stevens
Regional Sales Director – Northeast, Shamir Insight, Inc.

Victoria Taylor
Manager of Business Development, Mitsui Chemicals America, Inc.

Michael C. Vitale, ABOM
Vice President, Membership, Government Relations & Technical Affairs, The Vision Council

Katie Wassey
Office Manager, Visual Eyes Eyewear, Inc.

Jonathan Weissman
Key Account Manager, Modern Optical International

Karen Wilkerson
Director of Sales, Wiley X Eyewear

Manisa Wozniak
Senior Manager, Product Management, Hoya Optical