Additional Scholarship Recipients Through Platinum Sponsors:

“Receiving the OWA Leadership Scholarship Award has been a highlight in my career at National Vision. This award signified to me that my efforts and accomplishments were being seen and appreciated. It gave me the confidence to push myself beyond my comfort zone and explore areas in marketing that I have not yet mastered. For example, I have used my scholarship to pursue continuing education in media and television. I am currently enrolled in a class at NYU where I am learning how to research, plan and assess national TV and digital streaming buys, effectively. This particular area of media is highly fragmented, complex and frankly, it scared me a little bit when I was given the responsibility to oversee this part of the business. Taking the course Media Assessment course at NYU has made me so much more confident (and a little bit dangerous!) in managing the media agency relationship and assessing and optimizing our TV and streaming buy. I have grown in my role at National Vision thanks to the continuing education I received from the OWA Scholarship and for that I am truly thankful and excited for what’s to come.“
-Cara Endriss (National Vision)

I am grateful to the Optical Women’s Association for the Leadership scholarship that allowed me to earn a certificate in Kellogg School of Management and Emeritus’s Mastering Sales: A Toolkit for Success program. The opportunity was timely, as I was making a move into a sales career and needed the training to become an efficient and effective sales leader. The well-designed, high impact, and fast paced program was lead by the founder of the Kellogg Sales Institute, Craig Wortmann, who exposed me to the art and science of the sales process. We went through a comprehensive review of the sales process – from the preparation to the customer contact, and finally, how to scale up sales consistently by building the right sales and management protocols. Through the program, I practiced more than 30 different tools and built a personalized Sales Toolkit to support each phase of the sales process. The course has been valuable in not only helping me improve my selling skills, but also offering best practices for recruiting, training, building, and managing high-performing sales teams.
-Shweta Gupta (EssilorLuxottica)

“Receiving a scholarship to enroll in the Future of Work University’s “Future of Work Fastrack” and the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) “HR Department of One” courses has been a transformative opportunity. The Future of Work Fastrack not only equipped me with essential skills for thriving in the evolving professional landscape but also instilled in me the ability to learn, think like an entrepreneur, collaborate effectively, and foster a growth mindset. These skills are invaluable in the dynamic and rapidly changing world of work. Additionally, the HR Department of One course offered by SHRM enabled me to enhance my resourcefulness, agility, and focus on adapting to the ever-changing needs of my organization. The specialty credential I earned, the SHRM Department of One, serves as a testament to my enhanced credibility and the crucial role I play in developing insights and setting strategic initiatives while maintaining a balance with day-to-day operations. This scholarship has not only opened doors to valuable knowledge but has also positioned me as a versatile and skilled professional prepared for the challenges of the future workplace.“
-Cheryl Moore (GPN Technologies)

My immediate thought was, “Let’s jump into this opportunity of a new experience!” And, I was so rewarded for taking that deep dive even after receiving the prep questionnaire for the OnStage Leadership program, which filled me with, “What did I get myself into?.” Making and taking the time for observing others, yourself, and your coach is difficult for all of us: no matter our everyday choices. Then connecting with ourselves and others with Kimberly’s coaching of our authentic selves which was supported with exploration and tools to figure out how to achieve some percentage of that within our days of constant framing, listening, and motivating. Analyzing and learning how to be more effective, more constructive with our actions…becoming more intentional by doing it my way or your way and still continuing to connect. So much content, so little space.
-JaMarie Plaff, Zyloware – OnStage Leadership

“I’ve always known – or been told – that networks are important to professional success, but my network has always just, sort of…been there. I attend virtual and in-person events where possible; I connect with mutual contacts when I’m able, and I try to help others when I’m asked. But I can’t say that I’ve ever taken an active role in strategically building or leveraging my network with intent. After receiving the OWA Leadership Scholarship, and consulting with my fellow OWA members who have received the scholarship in the past, I decided to use the funds to attend the Women in Leadership course from the Yale School of Management. And I’m so thrilled that I did! I gained invaluable knowledge from the course, including tips and tricks to leverage my network, and I feel reenergized about my career and am better prepared to seize all the opportunities that lie ahead. Thanks again to the OWA for providing this wonderful member benefit and to my amazing VSP Vision colleagues for nominating me.”
-Tatiana Stewart (VSP Vision)