Ushering in its latest class of up-and-coming stars in the profession, CooperVision recently welcomed its Student Leadership Society Members for the 2026-2027 academic year.
The 37 students in this year’s cohort are third-year optometry students selected by their faculty at schools and colleges of optometry across North America.
Throughout the year-long program, the student leaders will get a front row seat to the contact lens industry while developing insights into real world patient care. CooperVision leadership and other OD experts will also provide valuable connections, offering mentorship and insights into contact lenses, myopia management and more.
“CooperVision recognizes that students represent the future of the profession, and we are pleased to recognize and support these talented individuals throughout their educational journey and beyond,” says Jennifer Palombi, OD, FAAO, Director of Professional Affairs, Americas at CooperVision. “As contact lenses remain a vital part of the optometric practice, the students will be immersed in all aspects of contact lenses, from clinical to practice management to best-in-class patient care.”
“We are so impressed with this year’s 2026-2027 class of CooperVision student leaders who have shown such passion and commitment to contact lenses and myopia management,” adds Tyler Kitzman, OD, FAAO, Senior Advisor, Academic Affairs, Professional Affairs, Americas at CooperVision. “We’re excited for the opportunity to help these students grow and flourish into tomorrow’s contact lens leaders.”
2026-2027 Student Leadership Society Members
- Emily Beer, Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry
- Hunter Bentley, Ferris State University, Michigan College of Optometry
- Samantha Black, Northeastern State University Oklahoma, College of Optometry
- Briana Bui, Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry
- Kathryne Carrier, Indiana University School of Optometry
- Marissa Driesen, Southern College of Optometry
- Mary Drummer, Inter American University of Puerto Rico, School of Optometry
- Haley Durr, The Ohio State University
- Alec Faith, Marshall B. Ketchum University Southern California College of Optometry
- Anabel Ferraro, State University of New York College of Optometry
- Kailey Findley Leyva, Illinois College of Optometry
- Steven Gullo, University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry
- Coleby Hess, Rocky Mountain University
- Ashley King, Illinois College of Optometry
- Marianne Lahaye, Université de Montréal School of Optometry
- Kelly Lam, The University of Houston College of Optometry
- Alexa Larsen, Southern College of Optometry
- Candice Lee, University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science
- Julia Lotfy, University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science
- Rachel Ludwik, Indiana University School of Optometry
- Carolina Minozzi, Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry
- Hannah Naseer, State University of New York College of Optometry
- Christina Navarrette, Midwestern University, Arizona College of Optometry
- Janet Nguy, Marshall B. Ketchum University Southern California College of Optometry
- Prieyankaa Nirmalan, New England College of Optometry
- Chidera Okeleke, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry
- Joon Park, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Drexel University
- Cassandra Pedneault, Université de Montréal School of Optometry
- Brittney Phung, Pacific University College of Optometry
- Liberty Schram, Pacific University College of Optometry
- Zubia Sohail, University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry
- Nichola Stenzel, New England College of Optometry
- Genevieve Tang, Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry
- Daryl Tran, The University of Houston College of Optometry
- Monicabrett Tulod, Midwestern University, Chicago College of Optometry
- Avery Valdez, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Yola Ziko, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Drexel University
Learn More
Discover more about CooperVision’s Student Leadership Society in addition to CooperVision’s many other Student Programs.
