VM GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT SPEAKERS

Louis-Félix Boulanger
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer
BonLook

Co-founder and chief operating officer at BonLook, Louis-Félix leads various departments that work in cooperation to provide the best customer experience in the eyewear industry. He oversees a range of divisions including Information Technology, Operations, Fulfilment, and Retail. The BonLook brand is part of FYidoctors, Canada’s leading diversified healthcare organization.

On the strength of his background as an electrical engineer, Louis-Félix brought a unique and comprehensive vision to the company’s technological stack. This has allowed for the rapid implementation of innovative solutions and technological advances such as AI and machine learning. He is also the architect behind BonLook’s data-driven approach to operations and information technology, which has allowed the company to optimize and scale its supply chain infrastructure.

Prior to his current mandate, Louis-Félix assumed the position of CEO of BonLook. With a focus on scaling and improving retail, operations, information technology and customer service, he took the company from a web-only prescription glasses retailer to a budding omni-channel retailer. As COO, he is tasked with developing technology products with a clear potential to disrupt the entire retail optical industry in the near future.

Louis-Félix holds an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Ottawa and has previously worked in leadership roles at Boeing, IBM and Coveo. Before establishing himself in Quebec, past professional experiences gave him the opportunity to reside in France and the U.S.

John Carroll III
Head of Advisory for North America
Coresight Research

John Carroll III is the head of the advisory practice for Coresight Research in North America where he serves the world’s top brands and the fastest growing start-ups at the intersection of omnichannel retail and technology.

John specializes in helping clients launch international market entry strategies, category- redefining new ventures, and game-changing innovations. He has advised all five of the top U.S. companies by market capitalization in the last three years. Recently, John has helped leading U.S. brands adopt distinctive practices of Livestreaming proven in China—allowing these brands to generate all new levels of customer engagement and record e-commerce sales.

Prior to Coresight, John served clients with a focus on customer experience and growth at Ipsos Insight, McKinsey & Company, and Deloitte Consulting. He earned an MBA with Distinction (he graduated in the top 2% of his class), Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University and a B.S. Foreign Service, Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University with an honor certificate in International Business Diplomacy.

Sydney Stinson Ferguson
VP Marketing
Sunglass Hut North America

Sydney Stinson Ferguson is a seasoned marketing executive who has developed and executed memorable marketing and brand strategies across the food and beverage, retail, entertainment and fashion industries. In September 2021, she was recognized by Essence Magazine as one of the Top Black Creatives in Fashion.

She has been the Vice President of Marketing at Sunglass Hut North America since 2019. Under Sydney’s leadership, Sunglass Hut’s “Don’t Stop the Feeling” Summer Skate Activation was recently awarded BizBash’s 2021 Award for Best Guerrilla Marketing Campaign.

Prior to Sunglass Hut, Sydney held senior roles at global companies including Pandora, where she was Vice President of Marketing, and Chico's FAS, Inc., which includes Chico’s, White House Black Market and Soma. One of the highlights of her tenure as Senior Director of Marketing for Chico’s was building and leading the marketing strategy for the brand’s global expansion into Mexico and Canada.

At The Coca-Cola Company, Sydney held several marketing roles with a focus on creating emotional and cultural experiences through partnerships with the New York Knicks, the iconic Apollo Theater and others. She also led multicultural marketing and community sponsorships for Coca-Cola that further connected the brand to local communities.

Sydney is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and is a graduate of Spelman College. She and her husband live on the Upper West Side of New York City.

Solomon Gould, OD, MBA
Practice Management Consultant and Author

Dr. Solomon Gould is a professional speaker, practice management consultant, author and practice owner of two private practices in the Twin Cities. As a 4th generation optometrist with over 14 years of consulting experience for both the private and public sectors, Dr. Gould brings an unforeseen depth of knowledge, experience and insight to the industry. To date, Dr. Gould has helped elevate over 40 practices and large-scale private equity-based firms in the ophthalmic industry to their fullest potential. When not serving his patients or presenting, Dr. Gould enjoys writing articles about practice management for various business and clinical platforms.

Dr. Gould completed his undergraduate training at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa where he triple majored in Biology, Chemistry and Spanish. Dr. Gould then completed his Doctorate of Optometry at the New England College of Optometry in Boston. To further cement his passion for business, Dr. Gould completed his MBA at Southern New Hampshire University with an emphasis in Health Care Administration.

With a contagious positive energy, Dr. Gould takes his audience members on a joy ride with his self-proclaimed “comical” humor, industry analytics, knowledge and foresight. Be careful, as he is known to stroll into the crowd and even sit next to audience members if warranted in order to captivate the audience.

During his spare time, Dr. Gould enjoys participating in Spartan competitions nationwide, learning new languages, spending time with his family, traveling, and being out on the many wonderful lakes of Minnesota.

David Kepron
Architect, Artist and Educator

David Kepron is a multifaceted creative professional who brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe. David is a former VP of Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While in that role, his focus was on the creation of strategic design platforms within Marriott’s “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels.

As a frequently requested international speaker, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel strategy and design as well as creativity and innovation. He also puts his love for learning and having great discussions into hosting the “NXTLVL Experience Design” podcast which brings listeners dialogues about “DATA: Design, Architecture, Technology and the Arts.”

David currently shares his experience and insights on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine’s editorial advisory board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation’s Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University.

In 2014, David published “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he writes a popular blog called “Brain Food” which is published monthly on vmsd.com.

In 2020 David founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies.

Vik Malhotra
Senior Partner
McKinsey & Co.

Vikram (Vik) Malhotra is a senior partner in McKinsey’s New York office and is the longest-tenured member of the firm. He served on its Board of Directors for 13 years, its Operating Committee for six years, and its Senior Partner Committee for five years. Vik was also Managing Partner for the Americas and currently chairs the firm’s Professional Standards Committee.

Throughout his career, Vik has spent extensive time counseling CEOs and boards. He is also active with major nonprofits outside of McKinsey. He currently serves as the chairman of the board at the Wharton Graduate School (University of Pennsylvania) and is a trustee of The New York City Partnership, trustee emeritus of the Asia Society, and a former trustee of The Conference Board.

Malhotra, and McKinsey & Co senior partners Carolyn Dewar and Scott Keller, have co-authored a new book, CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest (Scribner, March 2022). They offer a manual for excellence for those who shoulder the burden of being the one on whom everyone counts: the CEO.

Amanda Nanasy, OD
Florida Institute of Sports Vision
The Eye Center of Pembroke Pine

Dr. Amanda Nanasy specializes in performance vision enhancement and vision rehabilitation after concussion. Dr. Nanasy practices at two locations—the Florida Institute of Sports Vision and The Eye Center of Pembroke Pines. She is currently a team doctor for InterMiami CF, Miami HEATCheck gaming, the Miami Dolphins as well as several other collegiate and high school teams. She is the Immediate Past Chair of AOA’s Sports and Performance Vision Board and is an appointed member of the AOA TBI Taskforce.

Dr. Nanasy has been adjunct faculty for NSU Optometry where she co-developed their elective on Sports and Performance Vision. She is a Sports Vision Pros partner, promoting the importance of vision in athletic performance across all levels of play as well as working on research to further the advancement in performance vision. Dr. Nanasy also sees patients at a second location in Holy Cross Sports Medicine Clinic where she is part of their concussion care team.

Dr. Nanasy is a frequent author for optometric publications and works in a consultant or advisory board role for various contact lens and pharmaceutical companies in order to continue to bring patients the most current and advanced treatment options. While Dr. Nanasy has lectured on the topics of contact lenses, practice management, sports vision and concussion both nationally and internationally, she is proudest to have presented on behalf of the American Optometric Association in Washington D.C. for a U.S. Congressional briefing about the role of optometry in concussion and traumatic brain injury care in 2019.

Dr. Nanasy earned her bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Microbiology with a minor in Psychology from UCF, along with a second Bachelors in Vision Science as well as her Doctoral degree in Optometry from Nova Southeastern University. She is a member of a member of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, the International Sports Vision Association, the International Brain Injury Association/North American Brain Injury Society and is pursuing her fellowship in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development.

Ruth Reader
Reporter
Fast Company

Ruth Reader is a reporter at Fast Company where she covers the intersection of technology and health. She has written about the healthcare ambitions and foibles of companies like Amazon, Google and Apple as well as the pursuits of smaller independent outfits to make medicine more accessible through open source drug development. She has even been known to write about bionic vision.

David Reitnauer
Vice President of Health & Wellness Specialized Services
Walmart

David Reitnauer is Walmart’s Vice President of Health & Wellness Specialized Services. In this role, David leads Walmart’s Optical and Audiology business including retail sales, lab manufacturing, Optometry Doctor relationships, and business development for audiology.

He started his 29-year Walmart career as a pharmacy intern, progressing in responsibility through the pharmacy leadership team until transitioning into store innovation. From there he was promoted into store operations and VP, Regional General Manger, VP Health and Wellness Operations - Sam’s Club, VP for H&W Central Operations, and now his current role leading Specialized Services focused on Optical and Audiology. 

Additionally, David served more than 20 years in the Oklahoma Army National Guard as an Engineer Officer with his last role serving as the Commander of the Oklahoma Officer Candidate School. This role allowed him to focus on his passion for leadership and talent development.

David received his pharmacy degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and his master’s in business administration with international focus from John Brown University.

Calvin W. Roberts, MD
President and CEO
Lighthouse Guild

Calvin W. Roberts, MD, is President and Chief Executive Officer of Lighthouse Guild, the leading organization dedicated to providing exceptional services that inspire people who are visually impaired to attain their goals. Dr. Roberts has a unique blend of academic, clinical, business and hands-on product development experience.

Dr. Roberts is a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medical College. He was formerly Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Eye Care, at Bausch Health Companies where he coordinated global development and research efforts across their vision care, pharmaceutical and surgical business units.

As a practicing ophthalmologist from 1982 to 2008, he performed more than 10,000 cataract surgeries as well as 5,000 refractive and other corneal surgeries. He is credited with developing surgical therapies, over-the-counter products for vision care, prescription ocular therapeutics and innovative treatment regimens. He also holds patents on the wide-field specular microscope and has done extensive research on ophthalmic non-steroidals and post-operative cystoid macular edema.

Dr. Roberts, has co-founded a specialty pharmaceutical company and is a frequent industry lecturer and author. He currently serves as an Independent Director on multiple corporate boards and has served as a consultant to Allergan, Johnson & Johnson and Novartis. He has recently enjoyed the honor of being included on Crain’s New York Business 2021 list of Notable In Health Care. His podcast series, “On Tech & Vision with Dr. Cal Roberts” offers information and insights about technological innovations that are tearing down barriers for people who are blind or visually impaired.

A graduate of Princeton University and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, Dr. Roberts completed his internship and ophthalmology residency at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center in New York. He also completed cornea fellowships at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and the Schepens Eye Research Institute in Boston.

Jennifer Stewart, MD
Chief Vision Officer
Performance 20/20
Partner
Norwalk EyeCare

Dr. Jennifer Stewart is an optometrist, speaker, writer, consultant, and entrepreneur. She is a nationally recognized speaker, with a passion for helping optometrists and organizations with operations, optical success, contact lens sales and practice management through her company OD Perspectives. She is also partner at Norwalk Eye Care and has been involved in the optometric

community for almost 20 years. Dr Stewart is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the New England College of Optometry and a consultant for Coopervision, Zyloware and GPN.

With a deep interest in sports vision, Dr. Stewart is the Co-Founder and Chief Vision Officer for Performance 20/20, which provides services for sports and performance vision training. She is a recipient of the Theia Award for Innovation by Women In Optometry and serves on the executive board for the International Sports Vision Association.

She is a proud member of the OWA Membership and Schools Initiative Committees, and is dedicated to increasing awareness and membership in the optometric community. She is also the recipient of the OWA's 2022 Emerging Leader Award.

Dr. Stewart is passionate about sports safety, enhancing performance, and helping business owners achieve their goals. An avid Disney fan, she lives her life by the quote “If you can dream it, you can do it.” She is inspired to help others with their dreams.

Lisa Sun
Founder & CEO
GRAVITAS

What would happen if you let go of fear, got off the sidelines, and jumped boldly into the game of life? Lisa Sun, founder and CEO of GRAVITAS, electrifies audiences as she unpacks this vital question in her moving, motivating, and empowering talks. Catalyzing confidence and inspiring innovation, Sun seamlessly blends stories from her personal journey with data and experience-driven insights from her 11 years at McKinsey & Company to offer talks that encourage audiences to choose self-confidence and use gravitas to advance personally and professionally.

Armed with an understanding of the transformative power of clothing, and a determination to create a game-changing company, Sun filed for a global patent to build shapewear directly into dresses. She launched GRAVITAS in 2012 as a “confidence company” that offers innovative apparel and styling solutions designed to give women makeovers from the inside-out. Two months after launch, her first collection was featured in O, The Oprah magazine, PEOPLE, and The TODAY Show in the same month. Sun and GRAVITAS have not slowed down since; she has been featured on CNN and in Forbes, Fast Company, New York magazine, Elle, Marie Claire, InStyle, and more.

Sun explores why it’s vital to push past your potential, how to transform an idea into a movement, and why you’ve got to bet on yourself every single day. Praised for her passion and warmth, she has spoken for groups including JPMorganChase, Mortgage Bankers Association Summit for Women in Real Estate Finance, HSN, Dress for Success Global Success Summit, The Nantucket Project, and more.

Prior to founding GRAVITAS, Sun spent 11 years at McKinsey & Company where she advised leading luxury, fashion and beauty brands and retailers in the U.S., Asia, Europe and Latin America on strategic and operational issues. She graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Yale University with distinction in Biology and Political Science.

Davitha Tiller
Executive Vice President
Social & Integration
Red Havas

Davitha Tiller is a strategic and energetic leader whose unstoppable passion for social media emerged during the marketing channel’s emerging years, guiding the trajectory of her career ever since. Having led and worked as part of social media teams within creative, digital, media, social and integrated communications agencies with brands across a wide multitude of categories, Davitha’s understanding of social media as a marketing channel spans all areas of this exciting and ever-evolving landscape.

Originally from Amsterdam, Davitha lived and worked in countries across Europe before moving to Australia, where she resided in Sydney for seven years.

After a three-year stint with the Havas Group in Australia, Davitha moved to New York in April of 2019 to take on the role of Executive Vice President of social & integration for Red Havas, the global integrated communications, or Merged Media, arm of the Havas Group.

Davitha has set out and implemented social and content strategies for brands including Burger King, Toyota, UNICEF, WEX, Moët Hennessy, Heineken and more.

Davitha’s greatest passion is setting her teams up for success by empowering them to fail fast, upskill daily and progress constantly. Her passion for continuous education has seen her appear as a regular social media speaker and lecturer at industry conferences such as Social Media Week, Communications Week and Meltwater Summit. She also co-authored the first ever government accredited social media diploma in partnership with online education provider Social Media College.

Whitney Fishman Zember
Managing Partner, Innovation & Consumer Technology

Wavemaker

As Head of Media Innovation & Consumer Technology at Wavemaker, Whitney Fishman Zember uncovers new opportunities to harness technology to connect marketers with audiences in new and meaningful ways. Whitney serves to guide and educate the agency’s employees and clients on the role of emerging media and technology in driving consumer behavior, and elevate the profiles of new and emerging partners to deliver on marketers’ brand objectives.

Working across high-profile brands such as Paramount Pictures, DoorDash, Coinbase, Colgate-Palmolive, IKEA, L’Oréal and Tiffany & Co, Whitney is driving innovation conversations within the areas of metaverse, NFT, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, social commerce, and more. Named an Innovator of the Year by the Internationalist, her ability to spot trends has brought tremendous value to the agency’s thought leadership, content, and event programming as she shares best practices and ongoing opportunities for driving growth.

Whitney’s natural curiosity, passion and dynamism makes her a trusted voice on technology’s impact on marketing and advertising to the industry at large, resulting in published perspectives in Forbes, Fast Company, Wired, WWD, AdAge and more. She is also part of Forbes’ 2013 Class of 30 Under 30 Honorees.