Two experienced women in eye care, Gail Giordani and Jacque Katsieris, have been elected to the Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Australia (ODMA) Board.
Ms Giordani, currently Head of Zeiss Vision Care, has a background in haematology and immunology research, medical technology, and business management. She began her career at Zeiss South Africa in 1999 as a member of the microscopy division focusing on market development. In 2014, she was appointed Managing Director of Carl Zeiss (Pty) Ltd, responsible for medical technology, industrial quality and research and consumer products business in sub–Saharan Africa. Later that year, she took over as Managing Director of Carl Zeiss Vision (Pty) Ltd, responsible for the vision care business in South Africa.
Two experienced women in eye care, Gail Giordani and Jacque Katsieris, have been elected to the Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Australia (ODMA) Board
In March of 2021 Ms Giordani was transferred to Australia to head the Zeiss Vision Care business for ANZ. She brings international market development experience across multiple industries and an emerging market perspective on the optical industry.
Ms Katsieris commenced her optical career in 1999 at Tower Optics/Jonathan Sceats Eyewear; where she learnt each aspect of the optical business, from design and development of local brands such as RMWIlliams and Deborah Hutton to importing collections such as Tommy Hilfiger.
During her time at Tower Optics Ms Katsieris organised the very successful Manage Your Own Practice series of training events. Drawing on her relationships with Sola, CooperVision and BOC, she implemented this free training series throughout Australia for independent practices.
In 2009 Jacque and Raymond Kessler started ProOptics, distributing existing high end and lifestyle collections, and designing and developing proprietary brands for Australian fashion labels.
Ms Katsieris has established close relationships with her customers, and has a reputation for her strong insights into the day-to-day workings of optical practices.
Ms Giordani and Ms Katsieris will fill two casual Board positions vacated by the resignation of one Board member and the sad passing of Richard Grills in July. They will join Robert Sparkes of Optimed (Chair), Mark Altman of Device Technologies, Daniel Burgess of Cooper Vision, Craig Chick of Hoya, Lionel Minter of MIMO, Sean Rosenberg of Frames Etcetera and Brad Saffin of Marchon.
Per ODMA’s Constitution, the Board can appoint any willing member of the Association to fill a casual vacancy.
The new Directors will serve on the ODMA Board for 12 months, up to the 2023 annual general meeting, at which time all board positions are opened to be filled by the usual process of nomination and election by members.
