CHARENTON-LE-PONT, France—At Essilor International’s annual general meeting, held here Wednesday, shareholders approved the appointment of Henrietta H. Fore and Annette Messemer, as new independent members of the board of directors for a three-year renewable term. Essilor’s board now consists of 14 members representing five nationalities (American, Canadian, Chinese, French and German).

Fore, a U.S. national, will bring to Essilor her business leadership experience in both public and private sectors. Fore was the first woman to serve as administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and is the first woman co-chair of Asia Society. She is chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Holsman International.

Messemer, a German national, is divisional board member of "corporates & markets" at Commerzbank AG (Germany). The company will benefit from her extensive expertise in terms of strategy and finance, gained through her functions within international financial institutions.

In addition, the annual general meeting also approved the renewal of the mandate of Maureen Cavanagh, president of the Vision Impact Institute, for three years more years and ratified the nomination of Juliette Favre, chairman of Valoptec Association. Both are directors who represent employee shareholders.