ODMA Board

In 2012, Craig was appointed Managing Director at Hoya Lens Australia. Craig is undertaking his MBA at present, and in 2016 will attend the AICD’s Company Directors course. He was elected to the ODMA board in November 2015 and appointed the new Chairman on the 18th of October, 2023.

Brad has over 20 years’ experience in eyewear wholesaling roles. Immediately prior to starting his current role in 2015, Brad and his family were based in California where he was Senior Vice Principal of Sales / Marketing at Dragon Alliance with responsibility for global sales and marketing execution. 

Brad is member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science. 

Brad brings a wealth of experience and specialist skills to the ODMA Board. He provides important overview of the associations financial reporting and compliance functions and is a member of ODMA’s HR subcommittee. Beyond his Optical experience, Brad has unique experience from the sport retail channel that provides added value to Board discussion. 

Mr Mark Altman

Mark Altman commenced his ophthalmic career with OPSM in their Ophthalmic Instrument division in 1992, initially as a service engineer before moving to the role of Service manager, supporting OPSM’s internal optometric base and their instrumentation ophthalmology business across Australia and New Zealand.

After 6 years developing the OPSM Instrument service division, Mark moved into the sales environment, initially as product specialist promoting ophthalmic instrumentation to ophthalmology and private optometry, before taking on a national responsibility as product manager across Australia and New Zealand.

In 2003 Mark moved to Device Technologies, the largest independent medical distributor in Australia and New Zealand. At Device Technologies he has further developed his ophthalmic career as Business manager, being responsible for their Ophthalmic Diagnostic business across Australia and New Zealand.

Ms Gail Giordani

Gail Giordani is currently Head of ZEISS Vision Care.

Gail has a background in haematology and immunology research, medical technology, and business management. She began her career at ZEISS South Africa in 1999 as a member of the microscopy division focusing on the market development. In 2014, she was appointed Managing Director of Carl Zeiss (Pty) LTD, responsible for medical technology, industrial quality and research and consumer products business in sub–Saharan Africa. Later that year, she took over as Managing Director of Carl Zeiss Vision (Pty) LTD responsible for the vision care business in South Africa.

In March of 2021, Gail was transferred to Australia to head the ZEISS Vision Care business for ANZ. Gail brings international market development experience across multiple industries and an emerging market perspective on the optical industry.

Ms Angelina Chee

General Manager - De Rigo

Angelina began her career in optics for L’Amy Australia over 20 years ago, gaining hands on experience across various facets of the business, from warehouse to customer service, sales and marketing. With her aptitude for nurturing relationships and strong interpersonal skills, Angelina quickly ascended to a marketing leadership role within the same organisation.

In 2016, Angelina was part of the management team that oversaw L’Amy’s acquisition by De Rigo Vision. Recognising her contributions and expertise, she was promoted to the role of General Manager in 2018, making her both the first woman and the youngest person to hold the title globally.

Angelina’s network of relationships across multiple sectors has been nurtured through years of strategic collaborations, partnerships and leadership roles. This has made her an invaluable source of authority in her field.

Angelina is enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn from the collective expertise of fellow ODMA members, enhancing her own capabilities and bringing innovative perspectives to ODMA’s initiatives.

Ms Michelle North

General Manager, Australia and NZ - CooperVision

Michelle has been working at CooperVision since 2007 and has held several positions during her time there – from being onboarded as the first marketing role for CooperVision Australia and New Zealand after the launch of the Biofinity brand in 2007, to the Director of 1-day contact lenses for the North Americas, and for the last 5+ years serving as General Manager for the Australia and New Zealand region.

Prior to working at CooperVision, Michelle has worked in different industries in various roles, starting her professional career in Human Resources with Cochlear, then moving into the commercial space during her 8+ years at Panasonic, taking on different roles ranging from Market Analyst to Sales Executive to Product Marketing Manager.

Michelle has a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Psychology and Statistics, and a Post Graduate Certification in Marketing. She is a marketer at heart, a mother of two young girls and a recent presbyope (former emmetrope) who now enjoys both glasses and contact lenses. Michelle is highly passionate about the optical industry and would love to see more people experience the life-changing benefits of contact lenses as part of a holistic vision care plan.

Michael Nasser

Michael Nasser is deeply committed to strengthening and advancing independent optometry in Australia. With more than 15 years of experience across the full optical supply chain, from RX laboratory operations and supplier relationships to buying group leadership and retail practice ownership, he brings a unique perspective that bridges the clinical, commercial, and strategic sides of the industry.

As Co-Founder and Chair of Optipro, a membership-based support network, Michael works to empower the entire independent ecosystem, including optometrists, optical dispensers, and non-optical backed practice owners, with the tools, partnerships, and strategies needed to thrive in an increasingly corporate-driven market. Optipro goes far beyond procurement, delivering marketing services, business development support, industry advocacy, and collaborative opportunities that enable practices to grow and remain patient-focused.

Michael also led the development of Ocelot Plus, a next-generation practice management system created specifically for independent optometry. This innovative platform reflects his commitment to technology-driven solutions that enhance practice efficiency and support clinical care.

In addition, Michael is the host of The Focused View, a podcast dedicated to exploring the trends, technologies, and strategies shaping the future of optometry. Through conversations with industry leaders in Australia and internationally, he shares practical insights, sparks new ideas, and champions patient-centric models of care.

Driven by a clear purpose, Michael’s mission is to reframe the perception of independent optometry in Australia and ensure it remains not only relevant but essential to the future of eye care. His work is grounded in the belief that collaboration, innovation, and strategic thinking are key to empowering independents and elevating the profession as a whole.

Ms Shiva Taghvaei

Head of Commercial, ANZ – Safilo Group

Shiva Taghvaei is a senior commercial leader whose career has been dedicated to the Australian optical industry across retail and wholesale. Beginning as a qualified Optical Dispenser in the early 2000’s, she went on to lead national retail operations and now oversees Safilo’s commercial performance across Australia and New Zealand - covering field sales, key accounts, buying-group partnerships, ranging/pricing and in-store execution.

Previously, she managed a network of over 40 optical locations, bearing full responsibility for turnover, standards, personnel management, and the overall patient experience.

What sets Shiva apart is that she operates at two levels at once: the boardroom and the practice reality. Through her national team and partnerships, she maintains a clear line of sight from strategy to the consulting room - how calls on range, price, brand, and margin translate to patient experience, dispenser confidence, sell-through and practice profitability.

She has led national initiatives that elevate visual merchandising standards and team capabilities, keeping independent retailers competitive without eroding value.

Shiva is nominating for the ODMA Board to bring a contemporary commercial lens, safeguarding the long-term viability of independent optometry, translating supplier strategy into measurable practice outcomes, and strengthening ODMA’s position as a modern, united, and commercially credible industry voice. Her style is collaborative and accountable, people-focused, performance-driven, and centred on outcomes that members can feel in-store.

Jim Kareh

Founder & CEO, Matrix Eyewear

 With more than thirty years of experience in the optical industry, Jim Kareh has built his career across retail, wholesale, and product distribution. He began his journey with Optical Products, where he developed a strong foundation in eyewear and lens technologies, before going on to work with several leading optical companies including Essilor and UK Wiseman.

Jim later established himself as a successful retailer, gaining firsthand experience in customer care, business management, and the everyday challenges faced by independent optometrists.

Today, as the Founder and CEO of Matrix Eyewear, Jim leads one of Australia’s respected wholesale eyewear suppliers, partnering with independent practices to provide quality products and personalised support.

Holding an Optical Dispenser Licence, Jim combines technical expertise with a deep passion for the optical profession. Through his nomination to the ODMA Board, he aims to contribute his industry insight, strategic perspective, and commitment to strengthening the independent optical sector in Australia.