Women in Optometry (WO) announced in a news brief that 6 ODs have been selected as the 2026 Theia Award winners. Now in its 11th year, the awards are presented to women who have made exceptional contributions to optometry across a variety of professional roles. During the first 10 years of the award, 71 women were honored, bringing the total Theia Award winner class to 77 members in 2026.
The winners are:
Industry Influencer Winner: Kristin Anderson, OD, FAAO
Dr. Kristin Anderson is the global director of professional education and development at Alcon. She joined Alcon after serving as a professor and vice president for institutional advancement at Southern College of Optometry, following roles in clinical practice and the US Air Force.
Dr. Anderson said that “real influence begins when the people closest to patient care have a voice in shaping what comes next. It has been especially rewarding for me to help bring the perspective of the eyecare professional into industry conversations that connect innovation and education, both of which ultimately serve the needs of patients.”
Business Winner: Mila Ioussifova, OD, CNS, FAAO, FOWNS
Dr. Mila Ioussifova is the founder of South Waterfront Eye Care in Portland, Oregon, and co-founder of South Waterfront Aesthetic Wellness and Eye Thrive Wellness. She is a board-certified nutrition specialist and previously served as an adjunct clinical faculty member at Pacific University College of Optometry. She currently serves on the boards of directors of the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association, the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society, and the Dry Eye Society of the Americas, as well as on the leadership team as the program chair of the Anterior Segment Section of the American Academy of Optometry.
Dr. Ioussifova said that being a practice owner has given her the “ability to turn ideas into a meaningful impact. As a woman in optometry, building successful practices has allowed me to create opportunities for my team, invest in innovative patient care, and help shape the future of our profession. To me, business is not just about growth—it is about leadership, independence, lifting others, and building something meaningful that can make a lasting difference.”
Mentoring Winner: Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl. ABO
Dr. Cecelia Koetting is an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center. She has served on numerous advisory boards and speaker panels and has been published in several journals and eyecare publications. She is also a member of the Intrepid Eye Society.
Dr. Koetting said mentoring is important “because none of us get where we are by going alone. I’m grateful for the people who invested in me throughout my career, and I believe our profession is strongest when we lift each other up and pay that investment forward.”
Leadership Winner: Riya Paranthan, OD
Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Riya Paranthan has held leadership roles at the state and national levels, dedicating herself to advancing the profession while mentoring others, promoting collaboration, and paving pathways for future leaders in optometry. She is on the Washington State Board of Optometry. She is also chair of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry Review Committee and president of the Salus University Alumni Association.
Dr. Paranthan said leadership is “the opportunity to make someone else’s path a little easier than my own. It means choosing encouragement over competition, listening before leading, and creating opportunities for those who come after you.”
She continued, “I have been incredibly fortunate to learn from mentors who believed in me long before I fully believed in myself; their kindness continues to shape the leader I strive to be. Whether caring for patients, mentoring colleagues, or serving our profession, I hope to lead with humility, compassion, and purpose. If my work helps someone discover their confidence, opens a door to a new opportunity, or simply helps them feel seen and supported, I consider that the greatest measure of success.”
Education Winner: Bina Patel, OD, FAAO
Dr. Bina Patel is a professor at New England College of Optometry. She is also the director of international programs at the school.
Dr. Patel said being an optometric educator brings her “immense satisfaction and the drive to do more. As an educator, imparting my knowledge and sharing my experiences globally has offered me a wonderful opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life and to gain a deeper understanding of diverse educational systems. It allows me to upskill both students and practicing optometrists, and it raises the benchmark of their clinical capabilities so they can confidently practice and impart the highest standard of care to patients and develop expertise in subspecialty areas within the profession."
She continued, “witnessing students reach this level and seeing many choose fulfilling career paths—including innovation, research, and higher education—is incredibly encouraging and ensures the profession continues to evolve and advance. Ultimately, education—both directly and indirectly—is vital in contributing to prevent visual impairment worldwide.”
Young OD Winner: Emilie K. Seitz, OD, FAAO
Dr. Emilie K. Seitz graduated from Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2020. She works at Midwest Eye Center in Cincinnati and is a member of the American Academy of Optometry’s Anterior Segment Section Committee. She has delivered more than 20 lectures and interviews and authored more than 25 publications.
Dr. Seitz said that “being a young OD means recognizing that experience isn’t measured only by the number of years you’ve practiced but by your willingness to keep learning, adapting, and leading. Our profession is rapidly evolving. I’ve learned to wear my perseverance as a badge of honor, understanding that the path doesn’t have to be straight or stable to keep moving forward."
She continued, "every obstacle I’ve faced—whether personal or professional—has reinforced why I chose optometry in the first place: to care for my community, to keep learning, and to be an advocate for our profession. Being a young OD means believing that our greatest contributions are still ahead of us. This award is a reminder that resilience isn’t just what gets you through difficult seasons—it’s what prepares you to lead in the ones that follow.”
WO said the winners will be celebrated with a champagne toast at the close of the 2026 Women’s Leadership Conference, Tuesday, Sept. 29, in Anaheim, California. OM