2021 Executive Summit Breakout Session Spotlight: Senior Leadership Tactics
Ahead of the 2021 Executive Summit, taking place virtually January 26–28, The Vision Council is pleased to present a Breakout Session Spotlight Series, highlighting each of the event’s breakout sessions.
Today’s spotlight highlights the Senior Leadership Tactics breakouts.
The Moderators
Marc Ferrara, president, Jobson Optical Group, and Marge Axelrad, senior vice president, editorial director of Vision Monday/VMAIL, will co-moderate a two-day panel featuring a rotating group of senior optical industry executives each day.
The Topic: Senior Leadership: Leading Your Team in a Post-Pandemic World
2020 has challenged business leaders, making it tough to plan ahead in a turbulent environment. This panel will explore the disciplines and tactics optical leaders have implemented to design their approach for 2021. Boasting diverse backgrounds across different segments of the optical industry, the panelists will share insights into the consumer and patient mindsets; how priorities have changed; and how they are refocusing their teams to be nimble in a fluid business environment.
The Panelists
Wednesday, January 27; 2:15–3 p.m. EST:
- David Gilboa, Co-CEO, Warby Parker, the eyewear brand founded with a mission to inspire and impact the world with vision, purpose and style. Since day one, over seven million pairs of glasses have been distributed through its Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program. In 2015, Fast Company named Warby Parker the most innovative company in the world.
- Kate Renwick-Espinosa, President, VSP Vision Care, the nation’s largest not-for-profit vision benefits and services company. Renwick-Espinosa leads efforts to provide access to high quality eye care and eyewear services to nearly 90 million members through a network of over 40,000 doctors worldwide. Renwick-Espinosa has worked for VSP for more than 28 years, and previously served as VSP Global’s first chief marketing officer.
- Marty Bassett, CEO, Walman Optical, has been involved in the optical industry for 30 years. For the past 24 years he has served in a variety of positions with Walman, including Corporate Controller, Chief Operating Officer and his current role as President and CEO. Since 1995 Walman has grown from a regional optical laboratory business into the largest independent wholesale optical company in the United States.
Thursday, January 28; 1:30–2:15 p.m. EST
- Fabrizio Uguzzoni, President, Luxottica Wholesale N.A., has more than 20 years of experience as a global executive with expertise in commercial, operations, finance, customer service and logistics. As President of the N.A. Wholesale division of Luxottica, a global leader in fashion, luxury and sports eyewear, Fabrizio oversees all aspects of the distribution network in Luxottica’s largest market. Under his leadership, a team 1,000 professionals cultivate consumers’ love and appreciation for the Group’s proprietary brands including Ray-Ban, Oakley, Costa Del Mar, Arnette and Vogue, as well as licensed brands such as Burberry, Chanel, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Michael Kors, Prada, Tiffany, Tory Burch, Valentino and Versace.
- Karen Roberts, Vice President Global Business Solutions/Customer Enablement, Carl Zeiss Vision International, has been in the optical industry for 36 years. She currently resides in Adelaide, Australia. Her career has spanned leadership roles in R&D, Operations, Product Management and Business Development. An active participant in leadership and strategy forums within ZEISS and in industry forums, Karen has also contributed to Harvard Business School Case Studies on disruptive technology and large-scale change management.
- Michael Bender, President and CEO, Eyemart Express, is responsible for bringing strategy to Eyemart Express’s goals through a frame of forward thinking. A pillar of success for Michael has been his ability to nurture customer loyalty by unleashing the power of the people. Before joining the Eyemart Express family, Michael held senior leadership positions at several large public companies including PepsiCo, L Brands (Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works), Cardinal Health, and Walmart.
For more information on the 2021 Executive Summit, including real-time agenda updates, visit TheVisionCouncil.org/2021-Executive-Summit.