WJA Announces New International Board Members
The seven newcomers include executives from David Yurman, De Beers, and GIA.

The international board (WJA also calls it the national board interchangeably) has elected seven new members for the 2023 term.
They are: Rebecca Boyajian, director of business development at GIA; Monica Elias, CEO of Elias World Media; Rachel Goldflam, vice president of marketing and communications at David Yurman; Lilly Mullen, president and CEO of Springer’s Jewelers; Lotanna Amina Okpukpara, director and gemologist of Mina Stones; Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos, vice president of Code of Origin and Trade Services at De Beers; and Ted Taylor, director of individual giving at the Harlem School of the Arts.
Additionally, Gabrielle Grazi, vice president of retail strategy at the Natural Diamond Council, has joined the board thanks to her position as WJA Foundation president.
In total, there are 28 board members.
“By launching an open call for board nominations last fall, we were able to attract more diverse leaders from inside and outside our industry,” said WJA President Susan Chandler.
“Our board members are serving the organization at a pivotal time, and we are confident our esteemed board will help WJA continue to advance its fundraising and membership goals, and deliver high-impact programming to the industry in the years to come.”
Content-rich programming has been a focus for the board in recent years.
WJA cited last year’s Women’s Executive Leadership Forum that highlighted research on Gen-Z pertaining to the jewelry and watch industries as one example.
At JCK Las Vegas 2022, the organization hosted a “Generating Community Impact” breakfast centered on diversity education. WJA also has facilitated a series of online masterclasses and a nationwide business development project called the “Jewelry Loupe Project.”
The WJA board is a major part of ideating and executing such educational events and programs.
Departing board members who completed their terms are Brandee Dallow, chief communications and sustainability officer at Grandview Klein Diamond Group; Myriam Gumuchian-Schreiber of Gumuchian; Jen Cullen Williams of Jen Cullen Williams Communications + Consulting; and Sara Yood of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
The full list of board members can be viewed online.
The Latest

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.

While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.


JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Creative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.

Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

The wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.

The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.

Production at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.

A new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.

The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.