Seeing a Brighter Future with Warby Parker CEO Neil Blumenthal & VisionSpring CEO Ella Gudwin (S6E01)

Warby Parker co-founder and co-CEO Neil Blumenthal and VisionSpring CEO Ella Gudwin discuss the “buy a pair, give a pair” partnership that transformed the glasses industry and the widespread impact the organizations have had around the world. Diving into how the organizations work together, the duo pull back the curtain on how Warby’s glasses sales support VisionSpring’s efforts to bring glasses and vision education to emerging regions. Coming up with the idea for Warby Parker with some friends while at Wharton, Neil discusses how social impact is baked into the fabric of the company and why being a digital-native company allowed for a seamless pivot following the onset of COVID-19. Coming from a public health background, Ella offers her perspective on fighting misconceptions about glasses around the world and shares insight on how VisionSpring pivoted to providing PPE during the pandemic, thanks to the consistent support of partners like Warby. Listen in to hear their thoughts on leading during times of crisis, and learn more at warbyparker.com and visionspring.org. 

Note: Due to technical difficulties, this episode was recorded in multiple parts in November and December 2020.

Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Dara Cothran, Lindsay Hand, Julie Strickland, Nina Valdes, and Mathew Passy

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