Two highly valued members of the optical industry, Ms Gail Giordani and Ms Jacque Katsieris, have been named as new ODMA board directors.
Giordani, head of Zeiss Vision Care in Australia and New Zealand, and Katsieris, who co-founded ProOptics in 2009, join the current Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ODMA) board of directors comprising chair Mr Robert Sparkes (Optimed), Mr Mark Altman (Device Technologies), Mr Daniel Burgess (Cooper Vision), Mr Craig Chick (Hoya), Mr Lionel Minter (MIMO), Mr Sean Rosenberg (Frames Etcetera) and Mr Brad Saffin (Marchon).
Giordani began her career at Zeiss South Africa in 1999 as a member of the microscopy division focusing on the market development.
In 2014, she was appointed managing director of Carl Zeiss, 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, responsible for the Vision Care business in South Africa.
In March 2021, Giordani was transferred to Australia to head the Zeiss Vision Care business for Australia and New Zealand.
“She brings international market development experience across multiple industries and an emerging market perspective on the optical industry,” ODMA said.
Katsieris also started her optical career in 1999 at Tower Optics/Jonathan Sceats Eyewear, learning each aspect of the optical business, from design and development of eyewear brands, such as RM Williams and Deborah Hutton, to importing collections such as Tommy Hilfiger.
During her time at Tower Optics, Katsieris organised the successful ‘Manage Your Own Practice’ series of training events. Leveraging her business relationships with Sola, Cooper Vision and BOC, she arranged this free training series throughout Australia for independent practices.
In 2009, Katsieris and Mr Raymond Kessler co-founded ProOptics, distributing both high-end and lifestyle collections as well as design and development of proprietary brands for Australian fashion labels.
“Jacque has a reputation for her close relationships with her customers and this insight into the day-to-day workings of optical practices gives her an opportunity to deliver what they need,” ODMA said.
Giordani and Katsieris were elected to fill two vacancies following the resignation of one director, and the passing of director Mr Richard Grills in July 2022. They will serve on the ODMA board for the 12-month period up to the 2023 Annual General Meeting, when all the seats on the board will be open to nomination and election.
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