Emily Ashworth, of ABB Optical Group, looks ahead
Emily Ashworth, of Sunny Isles, the chief technology officer optical products distributor, ABB Optical Group headquartered in Coral Springs, was recently recognized as one of the Most Influential Women in Optical by Vision Monday, a trade publication. The program honors women who make a difference in the optical industry through their leadership, talent and innovative ideas.
Resume
Experience: Business information officer, segment CIO of the land division, World Fuel Services; vice president, CIO, American Water Works Co.
Education: Bachelor’s, industrial engineering and liberal studies, University of Central Florida; Master’s, industrial engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
The Drill-down
What I do: I oversee the company’s IT department and am responsible for the ongoing development of ABB’s e-commerce platform. ABB’s web properties receive more than 25,000 visits daily and 85 percent of all orders come into ABB electronically.
How I got from, “there to here”: An engineer by education, I have the skills to understand IT, but I’m more interested in business strategy and process. My technical skill set and strength in business acumen make me a natural, effective IT leader.
What’s new: Consumers can now try on frames virtually or take eye
exams online. Products are evolving: eyewear is lighter and more durable; lenses are providing superior vision.
Challenge: Patients want convenience and less face-to-face interaction, but doctors don’t want the liability of not properly checking the eye health of their patients.
Industry wisdom: The more I can draw parallels between IT concepts and everyday concepts, the easier it is for non-tech stakeholders to understand and buy into, resulting in the overall success for our team.
On the side
Hobby: I am a mixed media textile artist.
Reading: “The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing, Genius, and Autism,” by Kristine Barnett