Our People
Our people are the most important part of Insight Eye Care. It takes a huge team to make it all happen: optometrists checking your eyes, opticians reviewing lens technology, boutique eyewear consultants finding the perfect frame, and office staff keeping the place humming. We would not be Insight without our amazing people.
Our Optometrists
Our knowledgeable and friendly optometrists make your eye health the number one priority by conducting thorough examinations and considering the specific visual needs of each patient. We are proud to offer full-scope optometry services to our community. Our priority continues to be providing exceptional eye care to our patients.
Our Team
Our highly skilled team uses their expertise to ensure that patients have an incredible experience at Insight and receive the highest level of care from start to finish.
ABIGAIL CANADA
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Abigail is currently in her fifth year of high school and is working part time at Insight. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with friends and family, doing one of many art mediums, running, and reading books.
Some of her favourite local businesses areIce Cream 2 and Cocabella Cake Studio. Her favourite line of independent eyewear is Bevel.
Annabelle Duff
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Annabelle joined our team in 2020. You'll often see her with the Saturday crew catching up with her work besties!
Annabelle recently graduated from the University of Guelph with an undergrad in Nutrition. She has returned to Guelph to complete her Masters of Applied Nutrition to become a registered dietitian. Annabelle loves playing country music in the office, doing spin classes and exploring new restaurants with friends. Her favourite frame lines are Garrett Leight, Matsuda and Lindberg. Some of her favourite local businesses are Bauer Bakery, Spinco and Vincenzo’s.
April Read
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April joined us from beautiful British Columbia and is unsure if anyone here knows what a real mountain is. She has a Bachelor's of General Science Degree with Honors from Thompson Rivers University.
Currently she is studying to become an Optometrist and is in her second year of the program at the University of Waterloo. She is excited to practice her new clinical skills on anyone, but would love to see some weird eye-related lumps and bumps. Bruno Chaussignand and Matsuda are her favourite frame lines because of their interesting, but wearable, metal pieces. When she isn't hitting the books or planning her trips back to BC you can find her in the gym. April loves everything exercise related and is often seen trying to make her friends walk to locations that are definitely driving distances. Her other love is animals, please ask her about what unusual pet she has! Although she has not been in Waterloo long, her favourite local spots are Vincenzo's and Top Chicken.
Beki Banman
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Beki has a background in child care and is a graduate from Conestoga College with a Health Office Administration Diploma. Her favourite independent eyewear collections are Lindberg and Matsuda.
In her free time Beki is raising her three children, gardening, reading and is a seamstress with a knack for historical reproduction. Beki’s favourite place to shop local is Ontario Seed Company.
Ben Brewer
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Ben loves exploring cities with his partner, and tiny and sassy dog Clementine (don’t tell her she’s tiny though). If you’re out on Lake Ontario, you might spot Clementine sailing in her swanky life jacket!
Ben received his degree in Communications, Media, and Film at the University of Windsor prior to moving to Waterloo in 2021. When he’s not hiding in the bushes birdwatching or hiking, Ben loves to play video games, board games, listen to history podcasts, spin records on the turntable, and spend time with his two birds named Atticus Finch and Petunia. Ben has a wide taste in music ranging from Dolly Parton to MF Doom. His favourite eyewear brands are Vinylize and Matsuda. Ben’s favourite local Waterloo businesses include Ethel’s Lounge, J&J Cards and Collectibles, and The Crumby Cookie Dough Company.
Cara Aitchison
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Cara is an optometry student at University of Waterloo. She works behind the scenes to produce social media content for Insight!
In her spare time, Cara loves to draw, paint, play soccer, and spend time with her darling cat, Timothy. Her favourite eyewear brands are Matsuda and Lindberg. Her favourite spot in Waterloo is OKA Sushi.
Emmanuel Perez
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Emmanuel loves knowledge and adventure; he is always up for a challenge and is a seasoned camper.
Emmanuel joined us in 2020. He graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology with a double minor in biology and psychology and his goal is to become an optometrist. Emmanuel’s favourite independent eyewear lines are FACE A FACE and RES / REI. When he isn’t working or learning, he is climbing, climbing, climbing – he is currently the rock wall coordinator at Laurier. He also enjoys anything active: cycling, boxing, squash and too many other things to list! His favourite independent place to shop local is La Guanaquita.
Fred Maier
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Fred is Insight Eye Care’s office manager, but he loves to step away from the books and onto the sales floor to assist our clients in choosing their next amazing pair of glasses.
Fred is a graduate of Conestoga College with a Business and Marketing Diploma. He began working in the optical industry in 2010 and has sales and management experience from Voila Salon and Spa and Magnotta Winery. Fred’s favourite lines are MYKITA and Matsuda. He is an amateur sommelier, a barbeque enthusiast and he loves to listen to vinyl records and spend time with his family and friends. The best local independent businesses, according to Fred, are Loloan Lobby Bar in Waterloo and The Witty & Co in Cambridge.
Gin Fraser
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Virginia, or Gin for short, is our lab technician and sometimes eyewear consultant (if you’re lucky).
Gin went to school for photography and has also graduated with her BA in Social Development Studies and a minor in Psychology from the University of Waterloo. Her favourite lines are Lindberg and ROLF Spectacles. Always wearing a flower in her hair, Gin enjoys gardening and reminiscing about the good ol’ days when she used to rough-house on the roller derby track (she has separated many bones, hers and others). She also loves attending concerts in KW, Hamilton and Toronto. The best local independent businesses, according to Gin, are Princess Cafe, Belgium Nursery and Four All Ice Cream.
Grace Maier
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Grace is currently enrolled at Western University for a bachelor of fine arts, honours specialization in studio art, but is working to switch into a STEM stream.
Grace has worked at Insight Eye Care since 2020 as a receptionist and became an eyewear consultant in 2021. Her favourite frame lines are Matsuda, Jean Phillippe Joly, and Lindberg. Her favourite local restaurants are Jinzakaya, Princess Cafe, and Poppy's Bagel and Bakery.
Jason Yeung
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Jason is an optometry student at University of Waterloo. He splits hi``s time between helping patients pick their perfect frame and working in the Insight lab.
Outside of work, he likes to play tennis, go camping, and try new foods. His favourite eyewear brands are Lindberg and Bruno Chaussignand. His favourite place to chow down is Poppy’s Bagel and Bakery.
Karen Kienapple
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Karen graduated from Conestoga College with a Health Office Administration Diploma. She joined us in 2017 and jumps back and forth between reception and diagnostic testing.
Her favourite independent brands are Lindberg and SALT. Optics. In her free time, Karen likes to go shopping, try out new Pinterest recipes, and enjoy walks around the neighbourhood with her family. Her favourite local spots are Arabella Park, Vincenzo’s, and Belgian Nursery.
Kayla Gaudette
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Kayla likes order and fashion; she wants everyone to have the perfect frame for their perfect face.
Kayla graduated from the University of Guelph with a degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy. She keeps us all in line. Kayla has been with Insight since 2017, but immediately fell in love with independent eyewear culture. Her favourite collections are Vinylize and SALT. Optics. Outside of the office Kayla has a love affair with volleyball; she plays as well as coaches for the Scorpion’s Volleyball Club. In the little spare time that she has, she is hanging out with her dogs Louie and Raya and reading mystery/crime novels. Her favourite places to shop locally are Loop Clothing and Princess Cafe.
Kim Hoang
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Kim is a stationary enthusiast and has made it her mission to discover and taste all of the KitKat flavours.
Joining the team in 2021, Kim comes to us with an Honours Psychology degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and minors in Biology and Sociology. Her favourite independent eyewear collections are MYKITA, FACE A FACE and VANNI. In her downtime, Kim loves to spend time with her white cat named Moe, travel, try out new restaurants and food trucks and invite friends over to enjoy delicious charcuterie boards. She is afraid of heights, but somehow still appreciates a good Ferris Wheel. Her favourite local places to shop are Nova Era Bakery, Red House, Gifted Waterloo, Q’s Cakes and Harmony.
Manny Tran
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One of Manny’s aspirations is to, one day, become an optometrist that assists with vision therapy and neurorehabilitation.
Manny joined us in 2021 and has graduated from Western University with a Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Honours Specialization in Epidemiology and Biostatistics). Her favourite independent eyewear collections are SALT. Optics, Lindberg and FACE A FACE. In her free time Manny loves to go for runs in her neighborhood, cozy up with a good book and play the guitar. She is also a bit of a foodie and is always on the lookout for new restaurants to try with friends and family. Her favourite local businesses are Four All Ice Cream, Vincenzo’s and Princess Cinemas.
Mariyam Hassan
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Mariyam loves being able to find the perfect frame just as much as she loves a good family game night.
Mariyam graduated from the University of Guelph in 2023 with a Bachelors in Criminal Justice and Public Policy. Her favourite lines are Vinylize and Blake Kuwahara. When she’s not finding the perfect frame, she enjoys spending time travelling with her loved ones or being outdoors. According to Mariyam, the best independent business in Waterloo is Four All Ice Cream!
Mike Finney
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Mike is very experienced.
We’re talking all the way back to 1984 – the year he graduated from Georgian College as an optician. Most of our staff were not even born yet! Young at heart, Mike not only has experience but understands modern fashionable eyewear. His favorite collections are Lindberg, ROLF Spectacles and SALT. Optics. When he isn’t at Insight referencing bands nobody has heard of, he is driving his wife’s ’64 Falcon convertible named Rolly, playing hockey, golf and hanging out with his grandchildren. Mike’s favorite place to eat is Poppy’s Bagel and Bakery in Uptown Waterloo and he likes to shop at Sports Zone.
Owen Hill-Ring
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While Owen is currently living in the small village of St. Jacobs, he loves to explore the big city in his free time. When not at work, Owen can be found attending concerts, watching movies, and spending time with his dog, Georgie.
Owen received his degree in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences at Western University in the spring of 2023, before joining the Insight team in the fall. In addition to being an avid concert and moviegoer, Owen enjoys playing music with his friends and younger brother. Owen’s favourite independent eyewear line is MYKITA, and his favourite local businesses include Princess Cinemas, The Jane Bond, Lost Vessel Vintage, and Midnight Run Café.
Rita Habermehl
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Rita has been working at Insight Eye Care since 2002 and still enjoys working part time and helping out when needed. Over the years, she has enjoyed greeting the many patients who have come through the doors at Insight Eye Care.
Rita has a background in Business Administration with continuing education courses from Conestoga College. When Rita isn’t working, her past times include biking, step dancing lessons and sewing. Her favourite local businesses are City Cafe, Warren Greenhouses and the Union Wellness Centre. Her favourite frame lines are Maui Jim and SALT. Optics.
Sandy Liang
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Sandy appreciates her downtime, either by binging on too much reality TV or going on long drives and walks.
Sandy graduated from the University of Waterloo with an Honours Bachelor of Science with a minor in Medical Physiology and aspires to become an optometrist. In her free time she's likely snuggling up with her cat Twix, trying out a new restaurant with family and friends, or biking around Waterloo. Sandy's favourite independent eyewear brands are MYKITA, Lindberg, and Garrett Leight. Other than recommending awesome frames, she also recommends trying out some of her favourite local businesses such as Del's Kitchen, Sushi Stars, and Vincenzo’s!
Additional languages: Cantonese (fluent)
Smita Meinzinger
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Smita swirls around reception, sometimes checking you in, sometimes checking you out!
Smita is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University with a Degree in Sociology. She began working at Insight Eye Care in 2011 and also side-hustles as the freelance digital artist @smitameinzinger, hoping one day to see her vibrant art on apparel, home decor and fabric bolts. Smita’s favourite lines are Vinylize and RAPP. When she isn’t working, Smita is reading, playing ACNH, sewing, playing board games with her son, snuggling with her dogs Scout and Luna and has impromptu kitchen dance parties with her husband. The best local independent businesses, according to Smita, are Wyndham Art Supplies (Guelph) and Gifted Waterloo.
Sophie Tsao
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Sophie joined our team in 2021 and has loved every second as a receptionist and diagnostic technician!
When Sophie is not working, she is studying at the University of Waterloo in the Honours Science program, minoring in chemistry and biology. In her free time she enjoys going to the gym, watching movies, painting, and spending time with family and friends! Sophie’s favourite independent eyewear brands are Bruno Chaussignand, Matsuda, and Garrett Leight. A few of her favourite local businesses in Waterloo are Luster & Oak, The Bauer Bakery & Café, and Poppy’s Bagels and Bakery.
Tina Kowalski
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Swishes and grand slams, Tina loves watching and attending Raptors and Blue Jays games whenever she gets the opportunity.
Coming to us in 2017 with a diploma in Medical Office Administration from Medix College, Tina spends most of her time in reception. Her favourite eyewear brands are MYKITA, SALT.Optics and Lindberg. Outside of the office, Tina enjoys cycling, snowboarding, beachy things, trying new food spots and nature walks with her dog, your dog, any dog. Her favourite local places to eat and drink are Princess Cafe, Gifted Waterloo and Vincenzo’s.
Yara Fahmy
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Yara thrives on bubble tea; it’s obviously the supreme beverage and all other beverages cannot measure up.
Currently Yara is studying Honours Science at the University of Waterloo. She joined us in 2022 and is one of our medical receptionists. In her free time, Yara enjoys painting and reading. Her favourite independent brands are Matsuda and ROLF Spectacles. Yara’s favourite places to shop local are Seven Shores Cafe and Words Worth Books.