Board of Directors

Diana Canto-Sims, OD

Co-Founder & Board Member

Dr. Diana Canto-Sims is an optometrist, entrepreneur, and advocate committed to advancing Latino representation in optometry and improving access to culturally responsive eye care. She is the founder of Buena Vista Optical, a fully bilingual, multicultural private optometric practice in Chicago, and co-founder of Latinos en Optometry, an organization dedicated to supporting Latino optometry students and professionals while providing resources that help the eyecare community better serve Latino and Spanish-speaking patients.

Dr. Canto-Sims is also the founder and designer of La Vida Eyewear, an award-winning independent eyewear collection created to address the fit, style, and cultural needs she saw every day among her diverse patient population. Her work reflects her belief that patients deserve to feel understood, represented, and seen throughout their eyecare experience.

A recognized leader in the optical industry, Dr. Canto-Sims has served on The Vision Council’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force and the Transitions Optical Advancement Board. She was named one of Vision Monday’s Most Influential Women in Optical and an Eyecare Business Game Changer. She is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and Stanford Graduate School of Business’s Latino entrepreneurship program.

Through Latinos En Optometry, her practice, industry leadership, and mentorship, Dr. Canto-Sims continues to advocate for greater Latino representation at every level of optometry—from encouraging students to see optometry as a possible career to helping practicing doctors better understand and serve the growing Latino community.

Howard Purcell, OD

Co-Founder & Board Member

Howard Purcell, O.D., F.A.A.O., Diplomate and FNAP has been President and CEO of the New England College of Optometry (NECO) since July 2018. Before assuming his leadership role at NECO, he served as Senior Vice President at Essilor of America and Senior Director at Johnson and Johnson Vision Care. A second generation graduate of the New England College of Optometry, Dr. Purcell also participated in a group optometric practice for eleven years with his father in Miami Beach, FL.

Beginning in June 1991, Dr. Purcell joined the faculty of Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry. During his career at the college, he was a principle in the development of the Department of Cornea and Contact Lenses. Reaching the rank of Associate Professor, Dr. Purcell was responsible for both the didactic and clinical components of the program, serving as the Deputy Dean of the college.

Dr. Purcell is a Diplomate in the Cornea, Contact Lenses and Refractive Technologies Section of the American Academy of Optometry.

His energetic and enthusiastic style has made Dr. Purcell a popular lecturer internationally. Purcell’s unique philosophies and practices have often attracted the media to focus attention on current optometric issues and research in the industry.

Lawrence Chavez

Co-Founder & Board Member

Lawrence Chavez is the Founder & CEO of EveryDay Contacts a new brand of daily disposable contact lenses helping independent eye doctors redeem the doctor/patient relationship through their doctor-enabled direct-to-consumer model.

Lawrence previously co-founded Lotus Leaf Coatings, an advanced materials company in 2011. Prior to 2011 served as a Venture Partner with Flywheel Ventures and served as Interim CFO at Astria Semiconductor, a Flywheel portfolio company that was subsequently sold to FormFactor.

Lawrence has a finance background receiving his undergraduate degree from New Mexico State University and his Masters’ from Texas A&M University. In 2017, Lawrence completed the Stanford Graduate School of Business' Latino Entrepreneur Initiative Program.

Glenda Aleman, OD

Board Member

Glenda Aleman obtained her Bachelor of Science in Vision Science and her Doctor of Optometry from Nova Southeastern University (NSU). She is the founder and CEO of iSmart Vision Care in Miami, Florida, where she focuses on providing various solutions for myopia management. In her commitment to addressing the myopia epidemic, Dr. Aleman has established OK Love Myopia Control Experts, a clinic and consulting firm. At OK Love, she not only manages myopia and educates patients but also offers consulting services to help fellow optometrists adopt effective myopia control practices.

She has delivered extensive lectures both nationally and internationally to enhance knowledge in orthokeratology and myopia management. Dr. Aleman serves as a myopia management professional affairs consultant for several companies, including Johnson and Johnson, Alcon, and Topcon. Furthermore, she has been the clinical liaison and is a member of the advisory committee for the American Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (AAOMC). Additionally, she is a former lead ambassador for the Optometry Divas Miami Chapter and a founding board member of Latinos En Optometry.

Lina Arango, OD

Board Member

Lina T. Arango was born and raised in Colombia and moved to United States while in high school. Obtained a Bachelor of Science at the University of Miami majoring in Biology and Spanish Literature with a minor in Chemistry in 2008. Joining the College of Optometry at Nova Southeastern University in 2009 and completing the degree of Doctor of Optometry in 2013 where she was awarded with the Chancellor’s Scholarship. Dr. Arango, completed her Optometry externships at Shanghai Eye and ENT Hospital in China and at the WJB VA Medical Center in South Carolina.

As a truly believer in the power of giving back to the community Dr. Arango joined the Lions Club Fort Lauderdale chapter since 2010 and participated in three different medical mission trips to Peru, Jamaica, and Ecuador. Driven by a given heart in 2017 joined Natalia Vanegas and is nowadays the co-founder of Clear Eyes Clear mind, a non-profit that provides emotional wellbeing and visual health to those in need. Actively advocating eye care, Dr. Arango is a member of the Transitions Change program. Currently working as an Independent Doctor with LTA Vision corporation; overall, Dr Arango promotes a healthy lifestyle and a healthy vision.

Karen Carrasquillo, OD, PhD

Board Member

Dr. Karen G. Carrasquillo is Senior Vice President of Clinical and Professional Affairs at BostonSight. In addition, she is an adjunct clinical professor at the New England College of Optometry, an adjunct clinical professor at the school of optometry, MCPHS University, Advisory Board member for the Gas Permeable Lens Institute (GPLI), Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO), Fellow of the Educational Society of Scleral Lenses (FSLS), Fellow of the British Contact Lens Association (FBCLA), and Global Ambassador of the BCLA. She is the founder and Program Chair of FitAcademy, an educational retreat focused on corneal disease and scleral lens management and co-management and is also a planning committee member for the International Congress of Scleral Contacts (ICSC) Meeting and Global Ophthalmic Women (GLOW) meeting. She was named one of Vision Monday’s Most Influential Woman in Optical in 2021.

She is an international key opinion leader and speaker, having delivered close to 100 presentations, the author of numerous publications on the therapeutic use of scleral lenses and prosthetic replacement of the eye surface system (PROSE) and is also the author of several patents. Prior to completing her doctorate degree in Optometry and her residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses, she completed a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico and a postdoctoral fellowship in ophthalmological research from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, in Boston, MA.

Angelica Cifuentes, OD

Board Member

Dr. Angelica Cifuentes is a board-certified optometric physician, practicing in Miami, Florida. She is also the CEO and Co-Founder of Bye Dry Eyes and serves as the Optometric Director at Blinking Owl Eyecare.

Dr. Cifuentes completed her undergraduate studies at Florida International University. She was awarded a second bachelor’s in Vision Science from Nova southeastern University while concurrently pursuing her optometric degree. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry.

Dr. Cifuentes plays pivotal roles in advancing innovative eye care solutions and holds memberships in organizations such as the American Optometric Association, Florida Optometric Association, and Miami Dade Optometric Association, where her commitment is further highlighted as a Junior Trustee Board member. Additionally, she is a visionary board member of the Contact Lens Institute, a member of the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society, and Women in Eyecare.

Her commitment to education and advocacy spans across social media, where she actively engages with her audience through her platform @tinyoptometrist, boasting a substantial following across Instagram, TikTok and Youtube. Fluent in both Spanish and English, she seamlessly bridges language barriers to provide comprehensive care to diverse communities. She also serves as a mentor for Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry Florida Optometric Student Association. Dr. Cifuentes is a published author in collaboration with the Contact Lens Institute and has shared her expertise as a panelist and guest speaker at various events.

Elizabeth Escobedo, OD, FAAO, FSLS

Board Member

Elizabeth Escobedo, OD, FAAO, FSLS received her bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from the California State University of Long Beach (CSULB). She received her optometric degree from the Arizona College of Optometry and completed her residency in cornea and contact lenses at Northeastern State University, Oklahoma College of Optometry.

Soon after residency, she became a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and the Scleral Lens Education Society. She is now an associate professor at the Arizona College of Optometry where she teaches in the contact lens curriculum and sees patients in primary care and specialty clinics including ocular prosthetics and specialty contact lenses. She is the founder of the Spanish Optometry Club and the Student Engagement and Cultural Affairs committee. In addition to lecturing on contact lenses, Dr. Escobedo delivers material to students regarding interacting with patients in diverse populations and discuss the importance of patient centered communication to improve quality of care. She is passionate about serving underrepresented communities and increasing awareness in equity of care in healthcare.

Sandra Juarez Fortenberry, OD, FAAO

Board Member

Dr. Sandra Juarez Fortenberry is a higher education professional and optometrist. She is also the first Hispanic female to serve as dean of an optometry school in the nation and the first Hispanic female president of the Texas Optometric Association.

She completed her Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Houston College of Optometry, as well as a post-graduate residency in family practice. Along with spending seven years as a practicing optometrist, she became a faculty member at University of the Incarnate Word’s Rosenberg School of Optometry in 2010 and later served as dean. Sandra has been a member of Abilene Christian University’s Alumni Advisory Board from 2017-2025 and was appointed to the Abilene Christian University Board of Trustees in the Spring of 2025.

Hector Santiago, OD

Board Member

Dr. Hector Santiago was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Physics and Mathematics (Magna Cum Laude) at the University of Puerto Rico, his Master’s and Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Texas Graduate School Of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, and his Doctor of Optometry Degree from the New England College of Optometry in Boston.

Dr. Santiago has been involved in optometric education for 34 years. He was Dean of the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry, Founding Dean of Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry, and President of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry.

Dr. Santiago is the author of over 100 publications, posters, papers, and invited lectures. At the international level, he has been an invited lecturer in Spain, Italy, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Chile, Perú, the United States, and Mexico. He was Secretary-Treasurer of the Latin American Association of Optometry and Optics (ALDOO), Founding Member of the Latin American Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, and Chair of the International Optometric Educators Special Interest Group of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (IOE SIG). As Chair of ALDOO’s Education Committee, he has organized international meetings of Deans and Directors of Latin American Optometry programs in Trinidad Tobago; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Medellín Colombia; Panama City, Panama, and Leon, Mexico. He has also been involved in the establishment of the first professional optometry program in the Dominican Republic.

He has organized more than 20 humanitarian clinical missions in the Dominican Republic and Panama where more than 15,000 patients have received free eye care, eyeglasses, medications, and pterygia surgeries. He received financial support from the Lions Clubs International Foundation to develop Low Vision Services in Puerto Rico and more recently to conduct the first study of the prevalence of refractive error and visual dysfunctions of the children of Puerto Rico. In this project, over 3,000 children across Puerto Rico were examined following a World Health Organization clinical research protocol. He is an active member of the International Association of Lion Clubs for over 20 years including tenures as President of the Puerto Rico Lions Eye Bank, President of the Boriquén-Baldrich Lions Club, and Sightfirst Chairman. He was the recipient of the Lions Presidential Award, Lions Presidential Medal, and Ambassador of Goodwill, the highest distinction of Lions Clubs International. He is currently a Professor and Director of Research at IAUPR School of Optometry.

Dr. Santiago’s lifetime interests are the development of optometric education throughout the world, cultural competence, pediatric optometry, optometric research, and clinical humanitarian service. He believes that the active involvement of students with the community they serve promotes the highest level of professionalism and lifetime learning.

Diana L. Shechtman O.D., F.A.A.O

Board Member

Dr. Diana Shechtman is a board-certified optometrist who obtained her degree from Nova Southeastern University in 1998. She completed an ocular disease residency at Fox Medical Center in Miami in 1999. She later obtained her oral prescription certification and DEA. She has worked within ophthalmology practices for nearly a decade and was a full-time professor for 18 years at Nova Southeastern University. Among her many roles, she served as the coordinator of the Diabetes & Macula Clinic and the Director of Interdisciplinary Education Program. She completed a 6-month retinal clinic shadowing sabbatical. She worked at Retina Macula Specialists of Miami, as well as Eye Centers of South Florida, as a consultative optometrist, practicing in full scope medical optometry. She also served as an adjunct professor for several colleges of optometry, through her participation in externship educational programs. She is currently the consultative optometrist at Loh Ophthalmology & Associates and Retina Consultants of Miami.

Dr. Shechtman continues to serve as a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and numerous local and national organizations. She is an active board member for Women in Eyecare (WIE) and Latino en Optometry (LEO). She is also a member of numerous professional committees, including the Broward County Optometric Association. She is the CE director for Gold Coast meeting and host of the upcoming “Dueling Perspective (Facebook/Fluorence Media) Podcast.” She is currently also the host of “AOECE Master Series.” She participated on numerous research projects, Industry Advisory Boards and Professional Speakers Bureaus. Dr. Shechtman has also participated as a member of several Editorial Review Boards and had co-authored various columns. She continues to participate in journal publications and poster presentations. She’s been named by Newsweek “One of the Best Eye Doctors.” Dr. Shechtman has lectured extensively at a local, national & international level in ocular disease. She is fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Shechtman continues to serve as a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and the Optometric Retinal Society (ORS) and numerous local and national organizations. She is also an active member of numerous professional committees, including a trustee for the Broward Board. She participates on numerous Industry Advisory Boards and Professional Speakers Bureaus. Dr. Shechtman has also participated as a member of several Editorial Review Boards and had co-authored the Retinal Dilemmas and the Research Review Columns. She is currently on the Florescence editorial retinal board and member of Delphi panel to determine management of GA. She continues to participate in journal publications, poster presentations and research grants. She was the primary investigator for the VAST and ICOD study. Dr. Shechtman has lectured extensively at a local, national & international level in ocular disease and was also the Chair of the TRIOD Conference 2018-2021. She is fluent in Spanish.