Meet the Team

Leadership Team

Dr. Gabrielle Betts

Chief Executive Officer

Gabrielle Betts, PhD, PMP
Chief Executive Officer

Gabrielle Betts is a strategic and trusted executive leader with a proven record of driving system-wide transformation across government, non-profit, and regulated sectors. As Chief Executive Officer of the Alberta Association of Optometrists, she brings a strong focus on strategic advocacy, organizational excellence, and long-term sustainability in Alberta’s eye care system.

Gabrielle has led province-wide initiatives involving complex regulatory frameworks, intergovernmental collaboration, and sector-wide engagement, including the successful launch of Alberta’s first regulated Extended Producer Responsibility system. Her senior leadership roles in both municipal and provincial governments have spanned public health, education, social policy, and large-scale operational reform, consistently delivering measurable outcomes in high-profile, high-stakes environments.

A recognized community leader, Gabrielle has served on the boards of several organizations committed to public wellbeing and social equity, including the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (Vice President), REACH Edmonton, and the SAGE Seniors Association. Her leadership is grounded in good governance, stakeholder trust, and a deep commitment to improving the systems that support Albertans' health and quality of life.

As CEO, Gabrielle is committed to advancing the profession of optometry, strengthening member value, and ensuring all Albertans have equitable access to world-class vision care.

Al Amarshi

Director, Vision Care Programs

With 30 years of experience, Al has led programs focused on improving organizational efficiency and service excellence. As the Director of Eyesafe vision care programming for the Alberta Association of Optometrists, he leverages leadership, relationship management, and strategic planning to provide tailored occupational vision care solutions. Al also serves on the Canadian Standards Association committee for Industrial Eye Protection, helping make Eyesafe a leader in occupational vision care by merging compliance, service excellence, and streamlined order management for Albertans.

Savy Vonn

Accounting Manager

Savy Vonn serves as the Accounting Manager for the Alberta Association of Optometrists, a leading organization dedicated to promoting excellence in optometry and advancing eye care services for Albertans. With strong expertise in financial management, Mr. Vonn oversees the accounting operations that support the association’s mission to provide leadership and support for its members in delivering world-class eye care.

In his role, Savy Vonn ensures accurate financial reporting, budgeting, and compliance with regulatory standards, contributing to the effective stewardship of the association’s resources. With a practical approach to financial controls and team leadership, he plays a key role in enabling the organization to sustain and grow its impactful public programs such as Eye See… Eye Learn and Eyesafe.

Savy Vonn’s dedication to precision and operational efficiency aligns with the Alberta Association of Optometrists’ commitment to excellence in vision care and public service.

Sabrina Licata

Communications Manager

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Staff

Dr. Gabrielle Betts

Chief Executive Officer 
(780) 784-5822 (Ext-4)
gbetts@optometrists.ab.ca 

Karen Hollingsworth

Office Manager 
(780) 784-8235(Ext-244)
khollingsworth@optometrists.ab.ca

Amber Williams

Member Services Coordinator
Eye See... Eye Learn™ Coordinator
(780) 784-5823(Ext-1)
memberservices@optometrists.ab.ca

Sabrina Licata

Communications Manager 
(780) 455-3017(Ext-7)
slicata@optometrists.ab.ca

Meaghan Trewin

Community Communications Specialist
(780) 540-9166(Ext-243)
mtrewin@optometrists.ab.ca

Amy Sylvestre

Events Coordinator
(780) 488-7029(Ext-9)
asylvestre@optometrists.ab.ca

Al Amarshi

Director - Vision Care Programs 
(780) 451-6916(Ext-6)
director@eyesafe.ca

Breanne Lindsey

Vision Care Program Specialist
(780) 784-5821(Ext-3)
blindsey@optometrists.ab.ca

Prabhjot Kaur

Database Administrator & Office Support
(780) 488-7017(Ext-2)
pkaur@optometrists.ab.ca

Savy Vonn

Accounting Manager 
(780) 451-9267(Ext-5)
svonn@optometrists.ab.ca

Mary Reech

Receptionist & Administrative Assistant
(780) 488-7028(Ext-0)
alberta.association@optometrists.ab.ca