Karen Michaelson
ABOC

Mike Gzik
ABOC, NCLEM, CLSAF, COT

Karen boasts over 40 years of experience in the eye care industry.  Founder of KARE Consulting, her focus encompasses career longevity, care, compassion, and connection.  One of the founders of the Optical Professionals Association, she is executive director and chairs the events and education committee. She also serves on the board of directors for Vision of Hope and is actively involved with the Optical Women’s
Association. Karen is a recipient of the 2024 Adira grant, awarded by Clearvision and the OWA which supports Karen's goal of increasing the awareness and importance of addressing the needs of our aging loved ones, patients, and caregivers.

A graduate of Erie Community College in Ophthalmic Dispensing, Mike is a New York State licensed optician/contact lens practitioner. He works in a private optical office in Syracuse, NY and at the Syracuse VA Hospital. He is an adjunct and clinical instructor for contact lens technology at SUNY Health Science Center Syracuse, NY Department of Ophthalmology resident program (35+ years).

Past president of the NY Contact Lens Society and the Contact Lens Society of America. He served on the board of directors for ABO/NCLE. He was presented with NYSSO Best of Professions Award Contact Lens Technology 2020.