OWA Talks Podcast

Hosted by Carissa and Tatiana

Business Careers ManagementInterviews guests

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Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Welcome to the OWA Talks podcast from the Optical Women's Association! Our two hosts, Carissa and Tatiana, interview esteemed guests who connect, inspire, and lead women in the optical, optometry, and ophthalmology industries.

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60 recent

June 2, 202629 min

Purti Kanodia

Purti Kanodia Talks Real-World AI Applications. On this episode of OWA Talks, Purti shares a practical, no-hype approach to building AI fluency. Join us as we get beyond the ‘theory’ and talk implementation. If you’re curious about AI but overwhelmed, this one’s for you.About the guest:Purti Kanodia is a fractional AI transformation leader and founder of Clarity Prompts, an AI consulting firm and weekly newsletter that helps executives and senior leaders build AI fluency and lead practical, responsible AI adoption across their organizations.With nearly two decades of experience across optical retail, employer healthcare, management consulting, and biopharma, Purti has worked with companies including National Vision, Crossover Health, Slalom Consulting, and Genentech, always at the intersection of technology, business strategy, and human change. At National Vision, she led the launch of Toku BioAge, the first AI-based retinal imaging wellness product in US optical retail. Earlier at Slalom Consulting, she spent two years in Ophthalmology designing product strategy for AI/ML clinical decision support tools.What sets Purti apart is her whole-picture lens on technology adoption. She starts with the problem, not the technology, and believes that testing without measurement rarely survives the pilot. Getting to real scale means thinking through people, process, and organizational readiness together, not as an afterthought.She has mentored startups through Singularity University Labs, the UCSF Entrepreneurship Center, and HealthTech Capital. Purti holds a Master of Science in Biotechnology from Georgetown University and is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.Like this episode? Please subscribe and share!iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | AmazonConnect with the OWA:Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

May 5, 202619 min

Shannon Talbo, Kering Eyewear

Change shapes us in unexpected ways. For this episode, Shannon Talbo joins OWA Talks to reflect on navigating change — whether it is leadership changes, consolidation, career evolution or even personal changes.About the guest:Shannon Talbo is the Vice President of Sales, Core Channel West at Kering Eyewear. With a career that began in event production at a young age, Shannon developed an early passion for bringing people together and creating meaningful experiences, a foundation that still shapes her leadership style today.Before joining Kering Eyewear, Shannon built her career with LINDBERG, a Danish eyewear brand known for its craftsmanship and innovation. Following Kering’s acquisition of LINDBERG, she successfully navigated the transition into a global luxury organization, quickly advancing from Sales Representative to Sales Director, and now to Vice President of Sales for the West for all Kering Eyewear brands.Shannon is known for her ability to balance high performance with authentic leadership, leading teams through growth, change, and transformation. She is passionate about developing people, driving results, and creating alignment across brands and teams.Outside of work, Shannon is a mother of three daughters, a lifelong music lover, and someone who believes that the most meaningful growth often comes from stepping into the unknown.Like this episode? Please subscribe and share!iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | AmazonConnect with the OWA:Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

April 7, 202641 min

Jackie Janiec, Zyloware

Join us for an honest conversation with Jackie Janiec about the seasons of life. We talk about leadership, perimenopause, motherhood, and how emotional intelligence has guided her both at home and in the optical industry.About the guest:Jackie Janiec is a marketing leader, brand strategist, and coach with a career built on turning complexity into clarity. As SVP of Marketing at Zyloware, she's leading the integration of two iconic American eyewear companies — aligning teams, unifying brands, and raising the bar for what great marketing looks like in the optical industry.A proud member of OWA, Jackie is committed to advancing women in the optical field — championing mentorship, visibility, and the kind of leadership that opens doors for the next generation. Her coaching work reflects that same belief: that when women are supported and seen, the whole industry rises.Known for her direct style, strategic instincts, and genuine passion for the eyecare community, Jackie brings both vision and accountability to everything she touches.A native New Yorker and devoted mom to a beautiful autistic little girl — she brings that same fierce advocacy home every day.Like this episode? Please subscribe and share!iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | AmazonConnect with the OWA:Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

March 3, 202620 min

Ashley Mills, The Vision Council

The Future of the Industry and Innovation at Vision Expo 2026. In this episode, we sit down with Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council, to explore the innovations, trends, and big‑picture forces shaping the industry and how to see it all at Vision Expo 2026.About the guest:Ashley brings over 20 years of progressive trade association management, marketing and leadership experience to The Vision Council. Ashley returned to The Vision Council as the vice president of trade shows & meetings in January 2016 after serving as The Vision Council's director of marketing & shows from 2003-2006. A graduate of The University of Maryland, Ashley lives in Bethesda, Maryland with her two children, husband and dog.Like this episode? Please subscribe and share!iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | AmazonConnect with the OWA:Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

February 3, 202641 min

Scott Shapiro, Europa Eyewear

What does it take to transform a family business into a powerhouse for independent eyewear? And why would a former comedian be the one to do it? In this episode, Scott Shapiro shares his journey from the stage to the boardroom.About the guest:Scott Harris Shapiro is the Executive Director of Europa Eyewear, a company founded by his parents in 1977, where he grew up in the business and now leads its growth, including pioneering American luxury eyewear manufacturing with brands like State Optical Co., American Optical (AO) Eyewear, and serving as the Immediate Past Chair of The Vision Council. He transitioned from a career as a radio personality and comedian, bringing communication skills back to the family business after his father's passing, focusing on supporting independent optometry and high-quality, U.S.-made frames.Like this episode? Please subscribe and share!iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | AmazonConnect with the OWA:Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

January 6, 202620 min

Megan Molony, OWA President / Europa Eyewear

New Year, New President: Ring in 2026 with ‘OWA Talks’ and Megan Molony! It’s a new Year and OWA Talks is kicking 2026 off with a bang! Listen to this episode as we sit down with new OWA President Megan Molony to hear about her vision for the future of the organization.About the guest:As CEO of Europa Eyewear, Megan Molony oversees the full Europa platform, including Europa Eyewear and eyebobs, as well as future acquisitions, while working closely with the board of directors to set and execute the company’s long-term strategic vision. Molony has nearly 30 years of optical industry experience, with a strong track record in merchandising, customer experience, managed care, operations, and innovation. Most recently, she served as chief merchandising and managed vision care officer at National Vision, Inc., and has held key leadership roles at Essilor of America and Luxottica North America, gaining deep expertise across both retail and wholesale environments. Molony also serves as President of the Optical Women’s Association for the 2025-2027 term.Like this episode? Please subscribe and share!iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | AmazonConnect with the OWA:Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

December 2, 202525 min

Amanda Frugé, EssilorLuxottica

Amanda Frugé joins us to talk smart eyewear and leadership. From Ray-Ban Meta to coaching top-performing teams, she shares insights on innovation, growth, and empowering women in optical. About the guest:With 25 years of sales experience, Amanda Frugé joined the EssilorLuxottica team in 2014 as a Ray-Ban sales consultant. She quickly rose within the company, and was named Vice President of Sales, Ray-Ban. She has received several honors during her tenure with EssilorLuxottica, including president’s circle and regional sales manager of the year in 2020."I am inspired by the people I am honored to work alongside every day. My teammates, direct reports, and sales leaders have taught me so much. Each day, we work together to perfect our craft. I love that our company mission is to ‘See More, Be More,’” she said. "It is never lost on me that our frames hold the lenses that change the way people see the world.”Frugé said she strives daily to maintain a positive mindset, positive energy and lead by example, keeping her perspective and passion at the forefront every day. She said, "I believe these two traits go hand-in-hand, solidifying trust and relationships. I coach my team on doing hard things.”Like this episode? Please subscribe and share!iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | AmazonConnect with the OWA:Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

November 4, 202527 min

Francesca Pucci, Kering Eyewear

How do you lead a top-performing luxury sales district while juggling newborn diapers, elder care, and grief - all with a smile? Francesca Pucci joins us to share her refreshingly honest take on leadership, motherhood, and the power of not folding the laundry.About the guest:Francesca Pucci is a Luxury Sales District Director with an MBA in Executive and Organizational Leadership. Her career includes demonstrated success in both the retail and medical sales industries, with a track record of driving sales growth and profitability.Like this episode? Please subscribe and share!iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | AmazonConnect with the OWA:Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

October 7, 202521 min

Kas Riggs, HOYA

In this episode, Kasandra Riggs shares how her passion for service, leadership, and community engagement fuels her work at HOYA and beyond—empowering teams, mentoring future leaders, and creating lasting impact.About the guest:Kasandra ‘Kas’ Riggs is a passionate advocate for community service and volunteerism, with over 25 years of leadership experience in customer care. As Director of Customer Care at HOYA, she has spent the last nine years building high-performing teams and driving impactful initiatives.Additionally, Kas serves as HOYA North America's One Vision Country Manager, championing the pillars of Community, Environment and Workplace. Guided by the principle "Focus on a Better Tomorrow, Today," she leads local One Vision ambassadors across the US and Canada, who support our communities, reduce our environmental impact, and foster a safe and diverse workplace.Beyond her professional role, Kas is deeply committed to making a difference. She has served on the Board of Volunteers of America Texas, led a mentorship program with the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, and co-facilitated anti-racism initiatives with Hope For All Colors. Kas’s dedication to service was sparked in childhood, delivering food to rural families with her father—an experience that shaped her lifelong mission to uplift others. Her contributions were recently recognized when she was honored as a Black History Leader in Dallas-Fort Worth. A former expatriate who lived in Uruguay for three years, Kas brings a global perspective to leadership and service. She is a driving force for positive change, making an impact one community, one team, and one act of kindness at a time.Like this episode? Please subscribe and share!iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | AmazonConnect with the OWA:Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

September 2, 202523 min

Erin Peshoff

This month, Erin Peshoff joins OWA Talks to talk about applied positive psychology and teach us how to not just survive — but to thrive! Plus, she teases a fun event coming to Vision Expo West. About the guest:Erin Crotty Peshoff is the Director of Development at KeraLink International, where she leads all fundraising efforts with a strategic mindset and a heart for impact. With 25 years of experience across national consulting firms and nonprofit leadership, Erin is known for blending analytical rigor with a gift for nurturing teams and creating systems that consistently exceed goals.A proud graduate of Marquette University (BA) and the College of William & Mary (MEd), Erin also holds a Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology. She is a frequent speaker on data-driven development and the role of AI in the social sector. Erin lives in Leesburg, Virginia with her blended family of five.Like this episode? Please subscribe and share!iTunes | Spotify | Overcast | iHeartRadio | AmazonConnect with the OWA:Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook