Ashley Mills | Source | CEO at The Vision Council

Ashley Mills is the Chief Executive Officer of The Vision Council, the industry association serving as a global voice for eyewear and eyecare that represents companies in diverse segments of the optical industry. Through this role, she works to promote growth in the vision industry through education, advocacy, research, and industry forums, and is deeply committed to cultivating strong, effective partnerships throughout the vision community and in adjacent sectors.

Mills brings over 20 years of progressive communications, philanthropy and leadership experience to The Vision Council. She has a deep understanding of the power of public, private and philanthropic partnerships, having served as Director of Communications for both the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and the Council on Foundations.

Mills represents The Vision Council as a member of the United Nations Friends of Vision civil society group and is a frequent contributor and speaker in national and global eye health forums. Proving the theory that one can ever leave the vision industry, Mills served as The Vision Council’s director of marketing and shows from 2003–2006, and then returned in January 2016 to lead The Vision Council’s International Vision Expo shows. She was promoted to CEO in November 2016. Mills has been named one of Vision Monday’s Most Influential Women in Optical, was honored with the Optical Women’s Association Pleaides Award and has served on the board of the Optical Women’s Association, chairing the Digital Marketing and Finance Committees.

A graduate of The University of Maryland, she and her husband, Jeff, live in Bethesda, Maryland, with their two children.