Keynote Speakers
Opening Keynote: Matthew Luhn
Lens to Life: How Storytelling Can Shape The Future Of Your Optometry Practice
What if your practice had a secret weapon for success? Spoiler alert: It’s storytelling! Kicking off our event is Matthew Luhn, a 30-year Pixar storytelling guru behind some of your favorite animated hits. He’ll teach you how to use the emotional power of stories to connect with patients, lead your team and create a brand identity that sticks. Learn how to take your strategy from ‘meh’ to magnificent and leave with a game plan that makes your narrative unforgettable!
You may not recognize Matthew Luhn’s name, but you definitely know his work: The Simpsons, Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, Monsters Inc., Monsters University, Finding Nemo, Cars, Up, and Ratatouille. After a stellar 30 year career at Disney/Pixar, he turned his focus to helping the corporate world leverage the art and science of storytelling for business success, authoring The Best Story Wins and consulting to companies such as Charles Schwab and Adidas. A top speaker on storytelling, creativity and innovation, he has delighted a range of Fortune 1000 audiences including Apple, Capital One, Clorox, Facebook, Gartner, Google, Microsoft, PayPal, Procter & Gamble, Sony, Target, and Vrbo. His keynotes and workshops have been featured at BNY Mellon, BMW, Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Family Museum, Lego, Prudential Insurance, Salesforce, Volkswagen, Wells Fargo, and many more. Learn more about Matthew Luhn.
Closing Keynote: Chaunté Lowe
Building Boundless Resilience For Teams: Strength, Collaboration And Success
We’re ending this meeting on a major high with an inspirational keynote from Olympic high jumper Chaunté Lowe! Her journey of resilience will empower you to build a culture where teamwork, collaboration and collective strength take center stage. Ready to unlock your team’s potential? Lowe will equip you with actionable strategies to cultivate resilience, supercharge communication and lead with confidence. This keynote is sure to leave you feeling energized, empowered and ready to take on any challenge!
Chaunté Lowe is the story of determination, perseverance, and strength. Not only is Lowe a mother of 3, a wife, and a business owner; she is also a professional athlete, an American Record Holder, a 4-time Olympian, a 3-Time World Championship medalist, and 12 times US National Champion.
Chaunté Lowe has been in high demand since she decided to train for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics while undergoing chemotherapy and a double mastectomy for breast cancer. Her resilience is impactful in her own life, and to those who hear her speak. Learn more about Chaunté Lowe.
Annual Meeting Education Speakers
Andrew S. Bruce, LDO, ABOM, FNAO, NCLEM, FCLSA
Lensometry Made Simple: A Hands-On Workshop
Andrew Bruce is a licensed Washington State Dispensing Optician and contact lens fitting specialist with over 25 years-experience in the industry. He holds a Masters in both Ophthalmic Optics and Contact Lens Technology, and is a nationally recognized, advanced level speaker (ABO/NCLE) and industry consultant. In addition, he is an approved speaker for COPE and The American Optometric Association (CPC). In 2022, he became a Fellow of The Contact Lens Society of America (CLSA), and was recognized as a 2023 and 2024 Contact Lens Institute Visionary.
Beyond his extensive experience and training, Andrew is a prolific writer, having published numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals. In addition, he has also served as Contributing Author and Executive Editor for two academic textbooks published by the Contact Lens Society of America, Technical Advisor and Contributing Editor for The Optical Training Institute’s online Contact Lens Dispensing Course, and Contributing Author and Editor for the latest edition of the National Academy of Opticianry’s Ophthalmic Career Progression Program (OCPP).
In the past, Andrew has served on the Washington State Dispensing Optician Examination Committee, ANSI Z80 sub-committees, and the Board of Directors for the Contact Lens Society of America (CLSA). He continues to serve as a Technical Education Advisor for CLSA’s “EyeWitness” magazine, and as an advisor and proctor on their Fellow Examination Committee. Most recently, he was appointed to the Board of Directors for The National Academy of Opticianry.
Andrew is also an adjunct instructor at Portland Community College in Portland, Oregon, for their Optician Assistant Program. In addition, he finds great reward in serving as a volunteer instructor for the State of Oregon’s Coffee Creek Women’s Correctional Facility’s Optical Training Program, as well as serving on the Board of Directors of The Oregon Vision Coalition: a volunteer-based, non-profit group committed to supporting a comprehensive approach to meeting the eye health needs of the state of Oregon.
In 2017, Andrew established his company, ASB Opticianry Education Services, with a mission to provide consulting and learning experiences that cultivate independent growth, development, and success. His training programs have helped many gain their ABO/NCLE certification, as well as their Washington State dispensing optician license.
Sara Campbell
Unlocking The Full Potential Of Your PECAA Max Benefits: Discover Resources & Maximize Your Membership
Previously serving as PECAA’s primary membership salesperson, then as Senior Manager of Vendor Partnerships, Sara now leads the Members Services and Sales teams for PECAA Max and HEA Advantage. She is able to use her 20+ years of hands-on industry experience to help members utilize their PECAA membership benefits to the Max!
Based out of Louisville, KY, Sara enjoys the occasional trip to Churchill Downs and a good bourbon; “served neat, of course!”
A. Paul Chous, MA, OD, FAAO
Boxing Out Unconscious Bias: Don’t Let Your Unconscious Biases Put People In A Box (COPE PENDING)
Dr. Paul Chous completed his undergraduate education at Brown and UC Irvine, and then received his Masters and Doctorate of Optometry degrees from UC Berkeley. Paul has a private practice specializing in diabetes eye care and education in Tacoma, WA. He is the author of Diabetic Eye Disease: Lessons From a Diabetic Eye Doctor, which was included in the “Top 12 Diabetes Books” by Diabetes Update magazine in 2004. He is editorial advisor to Review of Optometry and Optometry Times, AOA representative to the National Diabetes Education Program, Primary Investigator for the Diabetes Visual Function Supplement Study (DiVFuSS), and Adjunct Professor of Optometry at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA. Dr. Chous has had type 1 diabetes since 1968.
Mikki Collins
Eye-Mazing AI: ChatGPT For Opticians (1 ABO GK non-Ophthalmic Hour)
Mikki Collins has dedicated the past 14 years to the eye care industry, establishing herself as a leader and innovator. She is the founder and creator of ROWT Magazine, a unique publication in the field. Mikki’s contributions have been widely recognized; she was honored as one of Vision Monday’s Most Influential Women in Optometry in 2023 and received the Eyecare Business Magazine Game Changer Award in 2021. Currently, Mikki works for Safilo in Business Development, where she serves as the lead contact for Safilo’s Buying Groups and Alliances. Her expertise and passion for the industry continue to drive her success and influence.
Joel Daniel
Optical Management Certification Course
Joel got his start in Optics with Pearle Vision in 2004. Since then, he has worked as an optical manager, optical trainer, district manager, and a vendor rep for some of the largest organizations in the industry. Joel has a passion for the industry, especially optical, where he has spent his entire career focusing on training and developing others, sales, merchandising, staffing, and leadership. In his spare time, Joel enjoys spending time with his wife and three sons. He also enjoys traveling, swimming, movies, fishing, sports, TV, music, and stand-up comedy.
Amanda Delgado
Get Fit-Forward!
Amanda Delgado joined the Tura family in 2017 as a results driven Industry Leader. She begin her Optical career as a Sales Representative in Central FL, growing into National Sales Training and Sales Management positions with leading Eyewear Companies.
Amanda is currently the Senior Regional Manager for the Eastern US overseeing 18 Sales Reps and Managers across 9 states (including Puerto Rico!) She also has prior sales experience in the Salon and Spa industry as well as Retail Management.
Amanda graduated with a degree in Marketing from the University of Central Florida, and prior to getting into Sales was a Division 1 Collegiate Coach and Professional Dancer. She currently lives in Florida with her husband, 2 daughters, and a wild mini-Bernedoodle.
Nancy Dolan
Staff General Session
Nancy leads the Enterprise Learning & Development team at VSP Vision. For more than 25 years, she’s studied and coached behavior-based practices that support individual and team interpersonal interactions and has served in leadership roles for more than 30 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Master of Science in Industrial & Organizational Psychology, and is a certified practitioner of several behavior modification therapies, executive and leadership coaching, adult learning, and instructional design. When not working, Nancy loves just hanging out with family and friends doing nothing in particular—just being together, usually laughing a lot—a tad mischievous, you might say. And this working from home thing is right up her alley because home is her favorite place to be.
David Friedfeld
The Magical Value Of An Empathy-Centered Approach
David Friedfeld is President of ClearVision Optical, one of the largest family-owned eyewear distributors in North America. Based in Hauppauge, New York, ClearVision designs and distributes eyewear and sunwear for 12 distinctive brands including BCBGMAXAZRIA, BluTech Eyewear, Ellen Tracy, Funoogles, IZOD, Jessica McClintock, Op, Revo, and Steve Madden, as well as its own collections including Aspire Eyewear, ClearVision Collection, and Dilli Dalli pediatric eyewear.
David provides vision and leadership to all areas within the ClearVision organization. Under his guidance, ClearVision has received countless honors and accolades from both the eyewear industry and the business community. David has appeared on several internet radio shows including The Growth Strategist, The CEO Show, and Power Hour. He is also a featured speaker at many industry-related events and functions.
In 2015, ClearVision’s proprietary brand, Aspire Eyewear, was honored by the optical industry with an EyeVote award for “Best Frame Brand – New Launch”. The same brand was nominated for The Accessory Council’s 2019 Design Excellence Awards in the Optical Eyewear category. ClearVision is also consistently ranked as one of the top five suppliers in the U.S. in several categories by Jobson Research, a leading source of business intelligence in the optical industry.
As an organization, ClearVision has been named one of the Best Companies to Work for in New York State for five years, most recently in 2020. CVO has also been recognized by New York SmartCEO as a 2016 Family Business Awards honoree. With a continuous commitment to providing excellent customer service, ClearVision was also recognized at the 2016 Stevie Awards for Sales and Customer Service, where the company received two gold and two silver awards.
David has been a tremendous advocate for the implementation of 3D printing into the product development cycle at ClearVision. An avid new media follower, David strongly embraces new and innovative technology while remaining committed to meeting the needs of customers in today’s ever-changing technological landscape. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and running. He and his wife Vicki live on Long Island and have four children, Jake, Sam, Faith, and Lucas. Connect with David on Twitter and Instagram @OpticalBuddy.
Michael Gatti, LDO, ABOC, NCLEC
Binocular Brilliance (1 ABO or NCLE CE Hour)
Michael Gatti is ABO and NCLE certified as well as an Arizona State Licensed Optician with 20 years of optical experience and a technical level 2 ABO-approved speaker.
As a team leader and motivational speaker, Michael doubled optical sales over his 7 years with one of the largest ophthalmology practices in the state of Arizona. He then went on to manage an independent optometric practice before becoming a Territory Sales Manager for HOYA Vision Care, an independent ophthalmic lab. Over the last 5 years Michael has worked as a Field Training Manager, Customer Development Manager and is now the Senior Manager of Training & Development for HOYA.
Michael is a motivational educator who has extensive optical and practice-building knowledge. Because of his successes and youthful enthusiasm, he has appeared in numerous trade articles. Nothing gives Michael more pleasure than helping independent Eye Care Professionals experience rapid and sustained growth in their practice.
Julie Helmus, OD
Optometry’s Role In Migraine & Light Sensitivity (COPE PENDING)
Dr. Julie Helmus is a 2nd-gen “thoroughbred” optometrist, born and raised in VCP-heavy California by two UC Berkeley School of Optometry alumni. A precocious first-born, she’s been working in the family business starting at the age of eight. Since her parents’ retirement, she is the sole owner of Helmus Optometry, a single-location private practice in the college town of Davis, California.
Bryan Hoban
Economic Analysis For The Optical Industry (COPE PENDING)
Bryan began his work career as an analyst and junior loan officer at a community bank focusing on small businesses. Bryan escaped the banking industry and joined PECAA in 2012 and can now be found helping members analyze their business. He enjoys working with the rest of Business Advisory Team to help PECAA’s members understand and enact positive change in their practice. Outside of PECAA, Bryan enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, playing golf and guitar.
Ryan Huffman
Economic Analysis For The Optical Industry (COPE PENDING)
Ryan Huffman is an executive in the optical industry, distinguished by his extensive background in economics which has been pivotal in shaping his strategic approach to business challenges. Ryan’s commitment to innovation and excellence in service delivery makes him a trusted leader in fostering partnerships with healthcare providers, ensuring they receive reliable support and impactful solutions tailored to enhance both their business practices and patient care outcomes. Holding a Master of Science in Economics with a focus on econometrics and predictive analytics, Ryan’s ability to blend economic insights with business strategy has consistently fostered sustainable growth and transformative change. His expertise drives business success by ensuring the company’s initiatives align with the practical and financial realities that healthcare professionals face.
Kayla Irwin
Optical Management Certification Course
Kayla is an accomplished professional with 17 years of experience in the optical field. Throughout her career, she has successfully managed and operated multiple optometry practices, including her own. With her extensive expertise, she has worked closely with hundreds of optometry practices, providing valuable guidance and support. In addition to her practical experience, Kayla holds a Ph.D. in counseling, further enhancing her ability to understand and address the needs of patients and professionals in the field. Combining her optical knowledge with her counseling expertise, she has developed several educational programs that greatly benefit the profession. Kayla’s dedication to the optical field, extensive experience, and commitment to education make her a valuable resource to our members.
Sharon Jutila
Overcoming Negativity In The Workplace
Sharon Jutila is an attorney and human resources expert with over 25 years’ experience providing advice to a wide range of businesses. She is a well-respected trainer and speaker on human resource and employment compliance issues having presented at over a hundred conferences. Over the span of her career, Sharon has assisted dozens of clients, spanning the range from high-tech semiconductor companies to roofing and stucco companies. After a successful law career, she joined one of her clients to create its human resources department from the ground up. Since that time, she has continued to work in the human resources industry in both an employee and consultant role.
Valerie Manso, ABOC, FNAO, ALB, ACB
Optometric Business Academy
Valerie is the President of Manso Management Resources, Inc., a training and development company specializing in the ophthalmic industry. Additionally, Valerie is Vice President of Sales and Education for BluTech Lenses and Director of Staff Education for PECAA.
As a 40+ year veteran of the optical industry Valerie brings a wealth of expertise to her current roles and her training sessions.
Kristina Masin
Does Your Brand Sizzle or Fizzle?
Kristina draws from her background in customer marketing and in-store design to contribute to this storytelling session. With 14 years of experience in the optical industry, including 7 years at Carl Zeiss Vision, she is committed to supporting and helping create meaningful brand experiences.
Meghan McCarty
Staff General Session
Meghan McCarty has 15+ years’ experience working in a variety of HR functions, ranging from learning and development, coaching, communications, talent acquisition, organizational effectiveness, and wellness. She brings her high energy, practical tools, and agility to diverse audiences across all levels in VSP’s organization. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Cal State University, Sacramento, and a Master’s degree in Organizational Development from University of San Francisco. In her spare time, you can find her outside running miles around her beautiful neighborhood, at home with her head in a new book, or spending quality time with her family.
Kristen McLaughlin
Get Fit-Forward!
Kristen McLaughlin is a seasoned marketing professional with over 25 years of experience launching, managing and developing products in the eyewear and beauty industries. She currently serves as the Director of Marketing at Tura based in New York City.
Throughout her career, Kristen has held a variety of leadership roles, including Global Marketing Director, Regional Sales Manager and Luxury Brand Director. Her expertise spans brand development, strategic growth planning, product innovation, and campaign creation. Notably, Kristen was honored as one of Vision Monday’s “Women of Influence” for her significant contributions to the optical industry.
Kristen also serves on the board of directors for Innovative Eyewear, bringing her deep industry knowledge to guide innovation and growth. She holds an MBA with a focus on Marketing, further enriching her ability to craft impactful strategies that drive business success.
Brenda Montecalvo, OD, FOVDR, FAAO, FCSO
The “C,C,D” Triad Of Binocular Vision Disorders: Simple Assessment And Treatment Plans For All Practices (COPE ID-92756-FV)
Brenda Montecalvo, OD, FOVDR, FAAO, FCSO is an optometrist and sought-after international lecturer who is passionate about the areas of strabismus and amblyopia, vision and learning, and neuro-optometric rehabilitation (NOR).
Dr. Montecalvo’s goal is to reach the world with the message that vision is precious and it is more than simply 20/20 eyesight. She believes that optometrists who provide optometric vision therapy are the keys to helping people have the best possible vision.
She is the author of Visual Secrets for School Success, co-author of the American Optometric Association (AOA) Brain Injury Manual, and conducts seminars on optometric vision therapy, NOR, and practice management.
Dr. Montecalvo is President of the College of Syntonic Optometry, is a member of the AOA InfantSEE Committee and is a member of the AOA Vision Therapy Task Force. She is Past-Chair of the AOA Vision Rehabilitation Section, Past-President of the Ohio Optometric Association, and Past-President of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association.
Galaxina Munoz
The Magical Value Of An Empathy-Centered Approach
Galaxina Munoz is the Customer Experience Supervisor at ClearVision Optical, where she has been a dedicated leader for four years. Heading the Customer Experience department, Galaxina has successfully spearheaded multiple initiatives, including Customer Service Week celebrations that engage both employees and customers. She has developed innovative upsell programs and customer engagement strategies across phone and social media platforms, driving improved service delivery and sales performance. Committed to fostering a culture of learning, Galaxina recently led a “Lunch and Learn” with Small Giants, a company aimed towards purpose driven cultures, to share ClearVision’s award winning approach to cultivating a customer-centric mindset among employees.
With a strong emphasis on helping her customer care team build meaningful connections with customers, Galaxina developed a comprehensive training program that enhances service and call skills while equipping them to identify and leverage opportunities to increase sales over the phone. Her approach ensures that every interaction prioritizes genuine engagement and delivers exceptional customer experiences. Additionally, she has successfully led efforts to transition processes between departments to improve turnaround times, showcasing her ability to streamline operations, foster collaboration, and boost efficiency.
A passionate advocate for employee engagement, Galaxina chaired the Customer Ambassador Committee, organizing initiatives such as Take Your Child to Work Day, Founders Day, and other employee celebrations. She actively collaborates with leaders across departments to identify ways to enhance service delivery throughout the organization, maintaining a balance between leveraging AI technology and preserving the human touch. She has also implemented monthly initiatives that successfully increased departmental sales and created engaging trivia activities during holidays to boost morale.
Galaxina has improved the structure and effectiveness of her department’s weekly huddles, enhancing communication, productivity, and enjoyment. Additionally, she played a key role in implementing ClearVision’s “Kindness Kabinet,” a program designed to help employees connect more meaningfully with customers. Dedicated to continuous growth, Galaxina participates in workshops, listens to industry-leading podcasts, and stays up-to-date on the latest service trends shaping the industry. Passionate about building meaningful customer relationships and elevating overall experiences, she finds joy in spending time with her daughter and exploring new destinations through travel.
Brianna Rhue, OD, FAAO, FSLS
Navigating Change: Leadership Essentials For Times Of Transformation For Your Practice
Dr. Brianna Rhue earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona before earning her Doctorate of Optometry at Nova Southeastern University. She completed her residency at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami and is a partner at West Broward Eyecare in South Florida. Dr. Rhue is passionate about health care technology, myopia management, specialty contact lens fits and practice management. She enjoys sharing her love for technology and myopia management through speaking engagements to help optometrists understand business, technology and new areas of care to help all parties involved. Dr. Rhue is the co-founder of Dr. Contact Lens and TechifEYE. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, playing tennis, standing on her head in yoga and traveling.
Jim Stringham, PhD
The Evolution Of Nutrition In Optometry: Eye –> Brain –> Body
Dr. Jim Stringham joined the MacuHealth team after a distinguished career in research and academia. He earned his doctorate in experimental psychology and neuroscience from the University of New Hampshire in 2003 and did postdoctoral training at both Harvard Medical School and the Medical College of Georgia. He has since held positions at the University of Georgia, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and most recently the Duke Eye Center. Nearly all of his research has been geared toward understanding visual and cognitive benefits of the macular carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin. As the Chief Scientific Officer of MacuHealth, Dr. Stringham will expand the scope of research and application of the macular carotenoids to include investigation of effects that may benefit visual and cognitive performance in athletes, visual and systemic health in those with metabolic disease, and neural health and development in children.
