The Vision Council Announces New Hires and Promotions

Organizational changes reflect the association’s ambitious 2023 strategic plan, which includes expanded market research, advocacy and communications initiatives

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hayley Rakus
703-740-1094
hrakus@thevisioncouncil.org

 

The Vision Council announces a new organizational structure, including new hires in the trade association’s membership, marketing and communications, and market research departments, as well as staff promotions within the membership and government relations teams.

“Our commitment to the vision care industry has never been stronger and I’m so pleased to welcome new hires and reward existing staff as we look ahead to a new year, with big plans on the horizon,” said Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council. “Exceedingly talented with an impressive range of experience and expertise, these additions will empower us to deliver on our mission to promote growth, foster community-building and engage with key stakeholders in support of better vision for better lives.”

The Vision Council will introduce the organization’s new team members and roll out the 2023 strategic plan at The Executive Summit, taking place January 9–11 in Austin, Texas. Register here.

Additionally, The Vision Council will release Market inSights in early January. The first market estimate report to be released by The Vision Council since the organization launched its new inSights Research Program earlier this year, the report will include market size estimates for 2019 through 2022 and a forecast for 2023 using predictive analytics. Built using new methodology and multiple new data sources, Market inSights will present a topline summary of the overall performance of the optical industry, as well as a detailed look into key product categories, markets, and consumer demographics. Available as a complimentary report for members of The Vision Council and as a paid report for non-members, the report will be accessible in the Research Download Center.

Meet The Vision Council’s new and promoted staff:

Membership

• Nathan Troxell, Director of Member Services
  Most recently serving as Director of Business Development and Special Projects at The Vision Council, Nathan brings nearly 20 years industry experience to his new role as Director of Member Services. Charged with expanding and improving member engagement, he will oversee new member onboarding, membership communications and member benefit programs and initiatives.
• Bonnie Whitfield, Senior Manager, Member Communications
  Previously the Communications and Community Affairs Supervisor at Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative, Inc., (CHELCO), Bonnie brings more than 10 years of marketing and communications experience to The Vision Council. In her new role, she will interface directly with members to improve benefits access, grow engagement and more.
• Dawn Tullis, Membership Administrative Coordinator
  Dawn is responsible for maintaining the association’s membership database and serves as the main point of contact for Opening Your Eyes: The Vision Council Scholarship Fund. Prior to joining The Vision Council, she worked as a Membership and Conference Coordinator at the International Association of Suicide Prevention.

Government Relations

• Omar Elkhatib, Senior Manager, Government Relations
  Joining the team earlier this year as Manager of Government Relations, Omar’s promotion to Senior Manager reflects his achievements in expanding The Vision Council’s advocacy programs through a new partnership with Venable, one of Washington D.C.’s leading government relations firms, and engagements with the United States Trade Representative, Food and Drug Administration and the National Economic Council. He has also led the relaunch of VisionPAC, a Political Action Committee intended to enhance the vision community’s reputation among government officials and strengthen its impact on public policy through collaboration and formation of strategic alliances.

Marketing & Communications

• Chelsea Pillsbury, Vice President of Marketing & Communications
  With extensive leadership experience in public relations, marketing and events for global luxury brands and national non-profit organizations, Chelsea joined The Vision Council in December and will lead the organization’s communications team. Through message alignment and strategic planning, she will establish the association as an industry thought leader.
• Kayleigh Tokash, Communications Coordinator
  Kayleigh will support the marketing and communications team by assisting with public relations, trade media outreach and overall communications initiatives.

Market Research

• Vlad Gupan, Research Manager
  Filling a new position within the research department, Vlad manages survey research for The Vision Council’s new inSights Research Program. Vlad brings a wealth of market research expertise to the team, with more than 7 years of experience and multiple graduate degrees. In his role, he oversees the Focused inSights reports, special interest reports on rotating topics; Industry Data inSights, a member-reported data program; and will help manage the Consumer inSights survey and reporting in 2023.

To view The Vision Council’s updated staff list, which includes contact information and bios, visit The Vision Council’s staff page.

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About The Vision Council
As the vision care leader in enabling better vision for better lives, The Vision Council positions its members for success by promoting growth in the vision care industry through education, advocacy, research, consumer outreach, strategic relationship building and industry forums.