OPTICAL WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2017 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Coveted Pleiades and Pyxis awards, Special Edition 20th Anniversary Pinnacle Award Winners Named
DALLAS, TX – December 21, 2016 – In 2017, the Optical Women’s Association (OWA) will celebrate its twentieth year of connecting, inspiring and encouraging the leadership of women in the optical industry. Each year, the organization recognizes key women in the industry who are evident leaders, devoted to mentoring the next generation and are striving for their highest potential.
The OWA is pleased to announce that Kate Renwick-Espinosa, President, VSP Vision Care, has been selected as the 2017 Pleiades award recipient, and Lorie Lippiatt, OD and President, Salem Eyecare Center, has been selected as its 2017 Pyxis award recipient. In addition, the 20th anniversary honoree and recipient of the Pinnacle Award is Corinne McCormack, Vice President and Fashion Director, FGXI.
The three women will be honored at two special events in 2017—the OWA Champagne Breakfast on the morning of Thursday, March 30th, and the OWA Annual Star Award Ceremony & Networking Event taking place on Saturday, April 1st. Venues for both events will be announced soon.
Pleaides Award Honoree
Kate Renwick-Espinosa, President of VSP Vision Care, leads efforts to provide high quality eye care and eyewear services to 77 million members worldwide, supporting VSP’s mission to help people see. She has worked for VSP for more than 23 years and previously served as VSP Global’s first chief marketing officer.
Renwick-Espinosa has been instrumental in the development of a broad corporate social responsibility and charity program which has provided millions of dollars in free eye care and eyewear to hundreds of thousands of people in need around the world. She was named one of Vision Monday’s “Most Influential Women in Optical” in 2005 and was a 2013 recipient of the “Most Powerful and Influential Women Award” from the California Diversity Council.
“The positive response to Kate’s nomination for the Pleiades Award was as expected – overwhelming! This award honors an individual for showing exceptional support in advancing the leadership role of women, and we are honored to provide this prestigious award to such an inspiring leader,” said Maureen Cavanagh, OWA President. “She has earned the respect of so many people in our industry, and that is exactly what we look for in our annual honoree.”
Pyxis Award Honoree
Lorie Lippiatt, OD, is President of the Salem Eyecare Center, Inc., a comprehensive optometric center she founded in 1989. Dr. Lippiatt has been instrumental in the development of electronic medical records for optometrists and technology integration. She has served as a consultant for OfficeMate, VisionWeb, and Marco.
An OWA member since 2004, Dr. Lippiatt has served as co-chair of the Professional Development Fund on the board of the OWA for the past three years. She is a member of Salem Rotary, an advisory board member of the Salvation Army, and is active in her local church.
“The Pyxis award recognizes someone who contributes to the OWA’s growth by actively participating in the organization and promoting it throughout the industry. Lorie’s commitment and dedication to the OWA have lead to many accomplishments over the years. We are very grateful to have such a spirited, talented, professional so actively involved in our association,“ said Cavanagh. “Lorie’s background as a successful optometric entrepreneur brings value to the OWA, especially as we look at expanding this membership base and meeting the needs of other women Optometrists. It’s exciting to be able to honor someone so very deserving!”
Pinnacle Award Honoree
In addition to the two annual awards and in honor of its 20th Anniversary celebration, the OWA will be honoring a distinguished member with an inaugural anniversary award. The Pinnacle Award will be given to someone who has shown long-standing and consistent dedication and commitment to the OWA and to furthering the role of women in the optical industry. This new award will be given on OWA milestone or anniversary years.
The Pinnacle Award recognizes an OWA member who has demonstrated persistent dedication to the OWA’s values and mission to advance the leadership role of women in the optical industry. A Pinnacle is the highest point of development or achievement and inasmuch the Pinnacle Award will honor the person’s success, determination and influence. The recipient will be one who is recognized for inspiring others to reach aspirational heights and career advancement. Signifying a lofty peak, the Pinnacle Award also symbolizes major OWA milestone years as it will only be bestowed on anniversaries. This year’s recipient, Corinne McCormack was a clear choice to receive this honor.
McCormack exemplifies commitment to the OWA and has a track record of dedication and service to the association that spans the years. Throughout her career in fashion and in optical, she has crafted her own unique brand of leadership. Upon entering the industry, she joined the OWA in 1998 and has been an ardent promoter of the OWA since. She’s the founder and independent business owner of an accessories company; continues to thrive in a leadership position and develop new creations even as her company has been acquired by an industry conglomerate.
McCormack has served as a Director of the Board, a former President of the OWA, and has chaired multiple committees. She inspires emerging talent to join the OWA. She is a stellar choice for the inaugural anniversary award on the occasion of the OWA’s 20th anniversary celebration.
Awards Events in 2017
The OWA Champagne Breakfast was a sold-out success in 2016, and the program in 2017 will again provide the industry an opportunity to toast these deserving honorees and get to know these women, and their many accomplishments, on a more personal level. Both the Pleiades and the Pyxis awards and the 20th Anniversary Pinnacle award will be presented at the evening Annual Star Awards Ceremony & Networking Event on Saturday, April 1st.
# # # #
About the Optical Women’s Association: The Optical Women’s Association is a non-profit organization founded in September of 1997 with the mission of supporting and promoting the professional development of women in the optical industry. Projects and programs the Connection Series, providing women in the optical industry with personal and professional growth opportunities; networking events at both Vision Expo East and West; and the Annual Star Award Ceremony & Networking event, which recognizes and honors individuals who have made a significant difference for women in the optical industry.
Pleiades is a star cluster in the constellation of Taurus. The Pleiades is also known as the "Seven Sisters" - referring to the seven brightest stars in the cluster. Together these stars create one of the brightest clusters visible in the northern hemisphere, just as, by working together, the women of the OWA have created an organization that is bigger and brighter than the sum of their individual efforts.
Pyxis is a constellation in the southern sky known as "The Compass" and like a compass the Pyxis award honoree helps guide the organization by her leadership and example.
Pinnacle – The Pinnacle Award recognizes an OWA member who has demonstrated persistent dedication to the OWA’s values and mission to advance the leadership role of women in the optical industry. A Pinnacle is the highest point of development or achievement and inasmuch the Pinnacle Award will honor the person’s success, determination and influence.