HPU Welcomes MyEyeDr. CEO to the Access to Innovators Program

High Point University is adding another global leader to its Access to Innovators Program. The university welcomes MyEyeDr. CEO and co-founder Sue Downes as HPU’s Health Care Expert in Residence. Downes is also the Vice Chairwoman of HPU’s Strickland Women’s Leadership Council.

“HPU is grateful to have Sue mentoring our students through different programs on campus as a female leader and now as our Health Care Expert in Residence,” says HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein. “Her commitment to the growth of our students, her business expertise as a CEO and her support of The Premier Life Skills University will be beneficial for all our students.”

HPU’s Access to Innovators Program connects students with global leaders for networking, mentorship and experiential learning opportunities. Downes joins Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, HPU’s Innovator in Residence; Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph, HPU’s Entrepreneur in Residence; Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall, HPU’s Sports Executive in Residence; Domino’s CEO Russell Weiner, HPU’s Corporate Executive in Residence; Former U.S. Ambassador and FCC Chairman William “Bill” Kennard, HPU’s Global Leader in Residence; ABC News’ “Nightline” Anchor Byron Pitts, HPU’s Journalist in Residence; American Actor, Producer and Television Presenter Dean Cain, HPU’s Actor in Residence; and many others.

“Working with HPU’s students is a joy and honor as the Health Care Expert in Residence,” says Downes. “I know firsthand how remarkable, hardworking and caring High Point University students are given my experience on the Strickland Women’s Leadership Council and from mentoring students as part of the L.I.F.T. Fellowship Program.”

Downes, CEO and co-founder of MyEyeDr., had an extensive career in the eye care industry prior to starting the company, and has worked in almost every area of the eye care field for more than 30 years.

From one office in 2001, she has led the MyEyeDr. brand to add over 800 locations across 27 states and the District of Columbia, with more practices joining every month. In addition to her work leading the MyEyeDr. team, she is the recipient of several prestigious honors, including the Montgomery County Chamber’s “Spirit of Free Enterprise” award, the 2011 Most Influential Woman award, the 2012 Smart CEO award for Entrepreneurial Spirit, the 2015 ACG Corporate Growth Award, and she was named the Optical Women’s Association 2016 winner of the Pleiades Award. In 2018, Sue was named the Person of Vision by Prevent Blindness.

Downes has been an active volunteer working with Prevent Blindness, and she provides volunteer support to various organizations, including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind, Foundation Fighting Blindness and the Alzheimer’s Association. Downes’ proudest accomplishment is raising her two sons. Her son, Grant Healey, is a member of High Point University’s Class of 2021. She lives in Northern Virginia with her beloved husband, PJ.