The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) announced its 2026 award honorees, recognizing individuals for leadership, service, and professional contributions within the optical industry.

• Susy Yu, OD, vision services administrator for Kaiser Permanente, will receive the Pleiades Award, which recognizes dedication to advancing the leadership role of women in the optical industry.

• Liz Friedfeld, head of business development for ClearVision Optical, has been named the Pyxis Award honoree for her service to the association and efforts to promote OWA throughout the industry.

• Cathy Firman, senior director of customer success for GPN Technologies, will receive the Emerging Leader Award, presented to individuals identified as rising leaders in the optical industry.

• Alessandra Senici, executive leader at EssilorLuxottica, will be the inaugural recipient of OWA’s new Polaris Award, which recognizes contributions to advancing the organization’s mission on a global scale.

The honorees will be recognized at the OWA’s annual Champagne Breakfast on Wednesday, March 11, held during Vision Expo.