NEW ORLEANS, La.—The mood at the Women In Optometry's (WO) Fifth Annual Women’s Leadership Conference held here on Tuesday this week, matched the program's theme, "Be Bold- Leading With Confidence." Communications expert, leadership advisor and keynote speaker, Erin O’Malley encouraged over 100 attendees at the session to remember the moments that they were at their most bold—when they put aside their fears and show up as their authentic selves. Other speakers reinforced that theme, noting times they were vulnerable and courageous and what they learned from that. The event, held against the backdrop of this week's American Academy of Optometry meeting, also included presentation of the 8th Annual Theia awards for Excellence from WO, part of the Jobson Optical Group.

A panel of ODs including Sandra S. Block, OD, MEd, MPH, FAAO, FCOVD, DAAO (PHEV), FARVO, Glenda Aleman, OD, and Breanne McGhee, OD, FAAO, MEd, talked about the lessons learned as mothers, as leaders, as clinicians or educators and how opportunities continue to present themselves.

Erin M. Brooks, OD, FAAO, a professor at University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry, shared tips she gained from joining Toastmasters, which she has used to improve her own public speaking skills as well as encourage her students to be more effective communicators.

Laurie Sorrenson, OD, FAAO, of Austin, Texas, reviewed how each time she got knocked down, it provided incentive to come back and try another, better approach.

The event’s platinum sponsors’ speakers each reflected on their own bold career and leadership choices. Platinum sponsors were Alcon, founding sponsor Allergan, CooperVision and EssilorLuxottica. Supporting sponsors were Iveric Bio, Tarsus and Vision Source. EssilorLuxottica sponsored the keynote speaker.

The event ended with the presentation of WO's 8th Annual Theia awards for Excellence. This year’s winners were:

- Leadership: Sandra Block, OD, Med, MPH, FAAO, FCOVD, DAAO (PHEV), FARVO
- Mentoring (tie): Ray Corbin-Simon, OD; Minal Patel, OD
- Education: Meng Meng Xu, OD, MPH, FAOO
- Young OD: Shira Kresch, OD, MS, FAAO
- Business: Bridgitte Shen Lee, OD, FAAO, FBCLA, FEAOO, ABO
- Industry Influencer: Ukti Vora, MBA, M. Optom, FAAO

More about the WO Theia honorees and the process were announced last August, as VMAIL reported.



2023 Theia award winners (l-r)  Dr. Ray Corbin-Simon, Dr. Bridgitte Shen Lee, Dr. Sandra Block, Dr. Meng Meng Xu and Ukti Vora.
WO associate editor Kyla Bazzy (l) and keynote speaker, Erin O’Malley.