Andrea Gluck	Bob Colucci	David Duralde	Gilda Mehraban

NEW YORK—The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) will host its Connection Series: Connecting Members to Leadership Ideas (formerly the P.O.W.W. event) titled Seeing (Blind) Spots? Men and Women Working Together on Thursday, Sept. 18, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. in Galileo Room 903 (Level 1) of the Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center. Note the new day and time for this annual OWA event.

Based on the OWA book selection, “Work with Me: The 8 Blind Spots Between Men and Women in Business” by Barbara Annis and John Grey, panelists will answer questions on their experiences of working with and for men and women. Discussion points will include “gender blind spots,” false assumptions men and women share about each other, how men and women approach things differently, and solutions for how men and women can succeed together.

Valerie Manso, regional vice president for strategic eyecare partnerships at VSP Vision Care, will moderate the discussion with panelists representing a variety of work experiences and age ranges. Panelists will include: Andrea Gluck, co-president of Eyewear Designs Ltd, and past chair of The Vision Council of America; Bob Colucci, president, independent distribution division, Essilor of America, Inc., and chairman of the Essilor Vision Foundation; Gilda Mehraban, director of brand management, REM Eyewear; and David Duralde, chief creative officer and member of the board of directors for Kenmark Optical.

“We are thrilled to have such distinguished panelists for what is sure to be an interesting and enlightening discussion,” said Christie Walker, OWA president. “While the OWA is a women’s organization, we understand the importance of working together with our male counterparts. This panel discussion will make us all aware—both women and men—of the assumptions we make when working with members of the opposite sex. The goal here is always better understanding leading to greater working relationships and success for both women and men.”

The Connection Series event is open to OWA members and non-members and includes a light lunch. The event is free to OWA members who register in advance. The registration fee for non-members is $35. To register, visit the home page at www.opticalwomen.com and click on the feature.

In addition to the Connection Series event, members and friends of the Optical Women’s Association (OWA) are invited to the annual networking reception and raffle event, to be held on Friday, Sept. 19, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Galileo Room 901 (Level 1) of the Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center. Luxury designer accessories and premier items provided by sponsors of the OWA will be raffled to raise funds for continued education and development of the OWA membership.