The World Council of Optometry (WCO) announces the acclaimed Chairs of its Standing Committees for the 2026–2028 term.

Prof. Vanessa Moodley, Dr. Roger Jordan and Ntombikayise Zitha have been acclaimed as Chairs of the World Council of Optometry’s Standing Committees for the 2026–2028 term.

Prof. Vanessa Moodley – Education Committee Chair

Prof. Vanessa Moodley has been acclaimed as WCO Education Committee Chair for the 2026–2028 term. In her candidate statement, Prof. Moodley shared her vision for the committee to “serve as the primary global resource for support in key optometry education areas” while helping foster “the introduction and expansion of quality optometry education programs” aligned with the needs of individual countries.

Prof. Moodley brings more than 30 years of experience in optometry education, academic leadership, and professional regulation. She previously served on the WCO Legislation, Registration and Standards (LRS) Committee and most recently as Vice Chair of the WCO Education Committee. Additionally, Prof. Moodley is the founder and a current trustee of the Keratoconus Foundation of South Africa. She also served as Chair of the African Council of Optometry (AFCO)’s Education Committee from 2015–2019.

Dr. Roger Jordan – LRS Committee Chair

Dr. Roger Jordan has been acclaimed to continue serving as Chair of the WCO Legislation, Registration and Standards (LRS) Committee for the 2026–2028 term.

“My vision is to make this committee more interactive with countries and help them sooner to address their optometric needs,” said Dr. Jordan in his candidate statement. “I want to set up a system that is more responsive to country advocacy requests.”

Dr. Jordan was first elected to the role by the WCO Board of Directors in 2023 and previously served for six years on the LRS Committee as a North American Regional Representative. This term will mark his third as Chair.

He has received numerous recognitions for his advocacy work, including being named American Optometric Association (AOA) Advocate of the Year in 2014 and earning the AOA Presidential Service Award in 2023.

Ms. Ntombikayise Zitha – Public Health Committee Chair

Ms. Ntombikayise Zitha has been acclaimed to continue serving as WCO Public Health Committee Chair for the 2026–2028 term.

“My vision for the Public Health Committee is to see us reach all corners of the globe, educating and raising awareness about eye care and vision,” Ms. Zitha shared in her candidate statement. “We need to encourage participation in advocating for the profession […] leading to the prevention of blindness, early detection, and management of ocular diseases.”

Ms. Zitha was first elected as Public Health Committee Chair in 2025 and has served on the WCO Public Health Committee since 2023. She also serves in leadership roles with the South African Optometric Association (SAOA) Public Health Committee and was honored with the ASAIPA National Medical Award for Community Service in 2021.

WCO congratulates the 2026–2028 Committee Chairs and thanks all volunteers and members who continue supporting the organization’s mission to advance optometry globally through advocacy, education, and public health initiatives. WCO also extends sincere appreciation to outgoing Education Committee Chair Prof. Yazan Gammoh for his dedicated leadership and contributions over the past five years.

Applications for WCO Standing Committee Members will open June 22 – July 13, 2026.

Click HERE for the press release.

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