WCO Announces 2025 Election Results and New Global Leadership
Thursday, December 4 2025 | 10 h 44 min | News
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) has announced the results of its November 2025 Geographic Representative Elections, along with new leadership appointments that will guide the organization through its next term of global collaboration and advocacy.
Geographic Representative Elections
The following individuals have been elected or re-elected to the WCO Board of Directors:
Asia Pacific – Dr. Man Pan (Bruce) Chin, Hong Kong
Dr. Chin is President of the Hong Kong Society of Professional Optometrists and the Eye Foundation.
An educator and clinician at Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Shantou University Medical College, he previously served on the WCO Legislation, Registration & Standards Committee.
Eastern Mediterranean – Mr. Ameer Abou Adela, Lebanon
Re-elected for a second term, Mr. Abou Adela is the former President of the Vision Care Association in Lebanon and currently serves as a Board Director at VOSH International.
He also chairs the Public Health Committee of the Eastern Mediterranean Council of Optometry.
Latin America – Dr. Niall Farnon, Trinidad and Tobago
Dr. Farnon is past president of both the Trinidad and Tobago Optometrist Association and the Caribbean Optometrist Association.
Since 2017, he has served as Secretary of the Trinidad and Tobago Opticians Regional Council and was previously a member of the WCO Education Committee.
Three incumbent representatives were acclaimed after running unopposed:
Africa – Mr. Patrick Mawila, South Africa
A private practice optometrist, Mr. Mawila previously served as President of the South African Optometric Association and the African Council of Optometry.
Europe – Mr. Peter Gumpelmayer, Austria
Mr. Gumpelmayer has more than 22 years of clinical experience as an optometrist and hearing aid practitioner. He is Treasurer of the European Council of Optometry and Optics and President of the Austrian Optometric Association.
North America – Dr. Michael Nelson, Canada
Dr. Nelson is a private practice optometrist in Winnipeg and past President of both the Manitoba Association of Optometrists and the Canadian Association of Optometrists. He also educates the public on his YouTube channel, Good Optometry Morning.
New Officers and Committee Leadership
During the WCO Virtual General Assembly on September 30, Dr. Cindy Tromans (United Kingdom) was installed as WCO President, transitioning from her role as President-Elect. The membership also elected Dr. Rajeev Prasad (India) as President-Elect for the 2025–2027 term. Dr. Sandra Block (United States) will continue as Immediate Past President for the next two years.
WCO also announced new and continuing appointments:
- Ms. Ntombikayise Zitha (South Africa) – Chair, WCO Public Health Committee
- Dr. Karoline Munson (United States) – In-Kind Association Representative
- Mr. Armin Duddek (Switzerland) – President, World Optometry Foundation
Looking Ahead
With its new Board and leadership team in place, WCO reaffirms its mission to advance optometry and global eye health through education, advocacy, and international collaboration. The organization extends thanks to outgoing and continuing Board members for their service and leadership.
Click HERE for the press release.
Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!
