Welcome to People on the move – August 2025, Insight’s monthly bulletin to keep the Australian ophthalmic sector updated on new appointments and personnel changes.
If you’d like to tell the industry about a new person in your company, practice, or clinic, please send the person’s name, position, image and a short description about their role to editor Myles Hume for consideration at myles.hume@primecreative.com.au.
Brigid Hughes – National Pharmacies
Finance executive Ms Brigid Hughes has been appointed CFO for National Pharmacies. Hughes has worked in senior leadership roles across multinational, ASX-listed and privately owned consumer-facing companies, including fast-moving consumer goods and retail. Most recently she was head of financial planning and analysis for Viva Energy Australia (owners of the OTR Group and Reddy Express) in Adelaide and five years prior in the same role at Nandos UK in London. Born and raised in Adelaide, Hughes has spent two decades working in the UK, including as CFO for a private equity backed national restaurant group UK with an annual turnover of $62.6m and 500 employees.
Christy Natalia – Optometry Australia
Ms Christy Natalia is the new social media coordinator at Optometry Australia. She brings more than seven years of experience in digital marketing, content strategy and social media management across APAC markets, with a strong focus on health, wellness and impact-driven brands. She has previously led digital campaigns for Fithappy, a fitness and wellness brand; managed regional engagement at Artemis Impact, a social impact platform; and supported global marketing efforts at Chemarome, a multinational fragrance house. With a passion for audience-first storytelling and a data-informed approach, Natalia said she was excited to strengthen Optometry Australia’s digital presence and bring the voice of optometry closer to the wider public. Outside of work, she enjoys discovering new cafés, reviewing local food spots and creating content for her podcast.
Anthony Stella – Opticare
Mr Anthony Stella has been appointed as Opticare’s business development manager for Victoria and Tasmania. He joins the company with a career spanning retail, wholesale, training, and leadership roles. He’s a qualified ophthalmic lens mechanic and dispenser and has managed both chain and independent optometry practices, including launching a greenfield practice. Plus, Stella has served as an operations manager of an optical laboratory for 11 years and an account manager for 13 years. “His appointment is a significant and positive step forward in our growth strategy, ensuring even stronger relationships and tailored support for our Victorian and Tasmanian customers,” Opticare said.
Lily Wegrzynowski – Eyecare Plus
Eyecare Plus Optometrists has welcomed its new business development manager (BDM) Ms Lily Wegrzynowski to its national office team. She is an optometrist with more than 30 years of experience in clinical and business management roles. She has worked with independent and corporate practices across Australia and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role. Most recently she was responsible for HR and optometry at the EyeQ Optometrists group, where she had been since 2010. “Her background also includes serving on various industry boards, including three years as president of Optometry WA. She has also been a member of the Deakin University Optometry Advisory Board since 2012,” Eyecare Plus said. “Lily is looking forward to supporting and growing the largest branded independent optometry group in Australia alongside Ethan Nguyen in the BDM role.” Wegrzynowski added: “I’m excited to be working with independent optometrists, ensuring they not only survive but thrive into the future.”
Sai Kandibanda – CR Labs
Ms Sai Kandibanda is an optometrist with more than six years’ experience and a Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Melbourne. As the new professional services manager at CR Labs, she is involved in delivering engaging training and expert product education on specialised lens technologies, helping independent optometry practices across Australia achieve exceptional patient outcomes, the company said.
Juliana Yan – EssilorLuxottica
Ms Juliana Yan is excited to have stepped into the role of professional services manager of NSW/ACT for EssilorLuxottica. “I had a rewarding experience serving as an area eyecare manager previously, working closely with our optometrists and retail teams to support clinical excellence and growth,” she said. “In this new role, I’ll be focusing on driving professional development, enhancing patient care through eyecare innovation, and supporting our network across the region.”
James Armitage – Deakin University
Professor James Armitage has recently taken on the role of associate head of school (international and partnerships) in the School of Medicine at Deakin University. In this role, he will contribute to leadership in all aspects of international education and research activities as well as domestic and international partnership development and management, within the School of Medicine. His previous role was optometry course director for Deakin’s Optometry Program within the School of Medicine for the past nine years (Jan 2016- Dec 2024). “I took six months to refocus on my research and clinical work and am excited to be able to contribute to activities across the wider School of Medicine,” he said. Associate Professor Simon Backhouse is the new optometry course director and Ms Linda Robinson the deputy course director. Prof Armitage will remain connected to the optometry program through teaching, research and clinical activity and serve on the optometry executive as head of vision science.
