AOA Leadership Institute
The Leadership Institute was developed by the AOA Leadership Development Committee to engage emerging leaders in optometry.
About the Leadership Institute
The AOA Leadership Institute program was developed by the AOA Leadership Development Committee to inspire the next generation of leaders within the AOA and its affiliates. The AOA Leadership Institute is a 12-month program with virtual components throughout the year as well as in-person lectures, focus groups and a reception at Optometry’s Meeting ®.
The aim is to energize and equip the next generation of champions for optometry, who will then be ready to step in and lead at all levels—local, state and beyond. The goal is to have a diverse leadership class each year that accurately represents the demographics of our rising generation of doctors of optometry. The Leadership Institute program will provide valuable lessons that can be applied to participants’ personal and professional development.
The purpose of the AOA Leadership Institute is to:
- Engage emerging leaders for optometry and the AOA.
- Provide training and personal growth opportunities.
- Provide leadership opportunities on local, state and national levels.
- Strengthen relationships between AOA, faculty and affiliates.
The vision of the AOA Leadership Institute is to:
- Activate and empower participants in the program.
- Foster cohesiveness within the class.
- Build friendships and support for each other as they advance in their careers and leadership roles.
2023 Leadership Institute Program:
What does the 2023 program entail?
- Personal and professional attribute assessment: Friday, Jan. 20.
- Virtual kickoff event: Wednesday, Feb. 15.
- Virtual education session: Leadership Brand: Wednesday, March 15.
- In-person reception at Optometry’s Meeting®: Wednesday, June 21.
- In-person education session at Optometry’s Meeting®: Public Speaking Part 1: Friday, June 23.
- In-person education session at Optometry’s Meeting®: Public Speaking Part 2: Saturday, June 24.
- Virtual education session: Negotiation Skills: Wednesday, Aug. 23.
- Virtual education session: Leading Change: Wednesday, Oct. 25.
- Virtual graduation & induction ceremony: Wednesday, Dec. 13.
What you can expect:
- Highly interactive sessions that are designed to provide a foundation for learning from
subject-matter experts and fellow participants. - Quarterly virtual sessions will not exceed 2 hours at 8pm CST.
- Two in-person sessions at Optometry’s Meeting®
- Quarterly prework and assignments that support learning and application.
- Prework will not require more than 30 minutes of a participant’s time.
- Assignments will require 60-90 minutes.
- A web portal that will house:
- Program curriculum.
- Program materials including workshop and webinar resources and tools.
- Roster with contact information.
- AOA CE Credit upon successful completion of the program.
Your role:
- Engage and actively participate in each session.
- Complete all prework and assignments.
- Attend Optometry’s Meeting® 2023 in Washington, DC
- Connect with peer participants to enhance learning and further develop your network.
2024 Nomination and application process
Who would be an ideal participant?
We are looking for applicants who have demonstrated dedication and leadership in our profession and meet the following criteria:
- Active AOA membership.
- Five to 10 years in practice.
- Show interest or potential in leadership roles.
Review process
Nominations and applications are reviewed by a committee comprised of experienced doctors, champions and leaders of optometry.
We will be accepting nominations and applications for the 2024 Leadership Institute in late 2023. If you would like to nominate someone or apply for the program, please contact leadershipinstitute@aoa.org.
Participant resources and recorded sessions can be found on EyeLearn Professional Development Hub, the AOA’s member-exclusive, centralized education portal.
Nominate and Apply
2024 Leadership Institute Application
2024 Nomination Form for Schools
2024 Nomination Form for Affiliates
Participant resources
How to access EyeLearn
- When prompted, log in with the same username and password you use to login to this website. This will then direct you to your account profile.
- Accessing the My Courses and Learning Plan feature provides access to your AOA Classroom.
- Once you have advanced to My Courses and Learning Plan, you can view all available, on-demand courses.
- Select Leadership Institute to access your program resources.
Program Graduates
Congratulations to our AOA Leadership Institute graduates! These participants are now energized and equipped to step in and lead at all levels – local, state and beyond.
2021 AOA Leadership Institute Graduates
2022 AOA Leadership Institute Graduates
Visionary supporters
The AOA Leadership Institute is supported by AOA’s Visionary Supporters, Johnson & Johnson Vision and EssilorLuxottica.
 |
 |
Johnson & Johnson Vision
Personal development is a valuable part of becoming the best you can be, and all of us at Johnson & Johnson Vision stand behind you in your specific goal of leadership development. We are proud to be a Visionary sponsor of the AOA and to have the opportunity to work with programs like the Leadership Institute. It is an honor to support you as you step out of your comfort zone to explore the value of leadership development.
EssilorLuxottica
At EssilorLuxottica, our mission is improving lives by improving sight. We achieve this through our innovative products, industry-leading programs, and partnerships to grow the eyecare industry. We are thrilled to partner with the AOA on the Leadership Institute, so together; we can help develop leaders that reflect the profession’s demographics. Strong leadership will ensure the continued growth and evolution of our industry, and we are excited to take part in this important initiative.
Contact us
If you have questions about the AOA Leadership Institute please contact us at leadershipinstitute@aoa.org.
EyeLearn: Professional Development Hub
Join a Committee
The AOA is always looking for volunteers to help advance the profession. If you are interested in volunteering, complete this form.
Join Now: Become a Member
As an AOA member, you'll be supporting advocacy efforts that help advance and protect the profession. Plus, you'll get access to exclusive continuing education programs and clincal resources.
Constant presence: Alliance builds reputation for patient safety advocacy
Founded five years ago, the Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety (HCAPS) is making good on its mission to advocate for patient safety and protect the fundamental doctor-patient relationship. The alliance’s advocacy will be recognized with the AOA’s Apollo Award during a ceremony at the 2023 Optometry’s Meeting® June 21-24.
What defines the value of care we provide?
Health and vision plans have not adapted and grown with the care we deliver but hold back optometry’s momentum.
How to speak the universal language of care
How to create a bilingual and culturally sensitive practice, why it matters to patients and how it can set you apart from the competition.