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WOMEN IN OPTICAL
Optical’s Most Influential Women On Leadership, COVID-19 and Community by Chow Ee-Tan
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our of Vision Monday’s “2020 Most Influential Women in Optical” honorees were featured on the Virtual EYE2EYE Series, a complimentary program of virtual panels and interactive conversations inspired by Vision Expo’s EYE2EYE educational series. Moderated by Marge Axelrad, senior vice president and editorial director at Vision Monday (VM), the webinar’s panelists were considered this year’s rising stars, innovators and modern mentors. They shared their views on the future of vision care, career goals and what they believe are the priorities for young female leaders.
Introducing the honorees Mollie Tavel Kaback is the director of growth initiatives and community engagement at Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care in Indiana (USA), a third generation, family-run business. She focuses on growth of the company, from technology to community relations. “I’m the only female on the leadership team. Our family members all have different backgrounds and experience in the industry, and in managing a crisis,” she said, adding that she’s met many women who were adept in managing crises. Camille Cohen, an optometrist at Pearle Vision in New York City, earned her Doctorate in Optometry from Salus University before joining her brother as a business partner. She admitted that it was not easy being in a position with employees who are older and more experienced than her.
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“We have more women in leadership positions, but from my personal experience, very often people assume that I’m a technician or a nurse. Sometimes it’s well-received, but sometimes our authority and experience are questioned. “It helps to have a network of strong women around me, who can step in and give me support,” she said. Brooke Hargrove, co-owner of Empire Optical in Tulsa, Oklahoma (USA), worked as a nurse before setting up the optical store with her husband last year. She was well aware of the anxiety and worries caused by the pandemic, and took steps to manage them by talking to employees, as well as with customers, to keep their emotions calm. The fourth panelist, Leigh Berberian, is director of marketing at Todd Rogers Eyewear (Massachusetts, USA). Joking that she married into the business, she explained that her husband is the founder of the company.
| October 2020
“I am trying to maintain optimism in my own ways. We always base our brand on ‘feel-good’ things. I have been trying to reach out and to connect with others, staying true to the hope that everything will be okay,” she said.
COVID-19 impacts in optical The panelists discussed how women in leadership roles can contribute to the optical industry during the pandemic, and further, the changes the industry needs to undertake. The common understanding is that there is a new level of doing things remotely. There are enhanced safety
