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Custom sponsorships and underwriting opportunities available ranging from $10,000 – $50,000 including select speaking opportunities. Contact Dawn Rigney at drigney@sunyopt.edu
Michelle Lewis
As Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health Centers, Michelle Lewis is a transformational leader who provides direction and coordination for initiatives that advance Gotham’s vision and organizational success. She has driven strategic change across the network to improve patient experience and increase access to care, particularly for underserved communities.
Lewis has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare leadership, project management, and program expansion. Prior to joining Gotham Health, she held key roles at NewYork-Presbyterian Health System, including oversight of Emergency Services and Community-Based Ambulatory Care Health Centers.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Lehman College and a Master’s in Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she now serves as an adjunct professor in the Master of Public Administration and Master of Public Health programs.
Dr. Millicent (Millie) Knight, OD
Dr. Knight is a visionary leader and patient advocate, collaborating with leaders in the eye care industry to ensure patients receive the best products, services, and solutions. She conceived and managed an innovative clinical practice incorporating a holistic approach to patient care, including pre- and post-market clinical research studies, and is widely recognized as a bridge builder between optometry and medical device companies.
She has served in senior executive leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson Vision and EssilorLuxottica. Her advocacy efforts include both state and federal legislative gains, testimony before a U.S. Senate subcommittee on patient care pricing policy, and service on the National Advisory Eye Council of the National Eye Institute.
Dr. Knight is the recipient of many awards, including the American Optometric Association President’s Distinguished Service to Optometry Award and the National Optometric Association’s Living Legend and Trailblazer Awards. A Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, the American Academy of Regenerative Medicine, and the National Academies of Practice, she is also a Kellogg Leadership Fellow and holds certifications in Diversity and Inclusion (Cornell University) and Holistic Health Coaching (Institute for Integrative Nutrition). She has led global education and training programs and provided volunteer eye care services worldwide.
Susan Olivo
Susan Olivo is the Executive Director and CEO of the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, where she leads philanthropic efforts to support individuals with vision loss. A seasoned foundation executive, Olivo brings a deep understanding of the art and science of grantmaking and its ability to effect systemic change.
She is a passionate advocate for disability inclusion, accessibility, and collaborative philanthropy. Prior to joining Lavelle, Olivo served for many years as Executive Director of the Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation.
She graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of New Hampshire, and earned an MBA from the University of Chicago. Known for her mentorship and public speaking, Olivo is also an avid reader and accomplished cook.