SourcingJan 12, 2023
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WJA Announces New International Board Members
The seven newcomers include executives from David Yurman, De Beers, and GIA.
Pictured are the newly elected additions to WJA’s board of directors.
New York—A new year means new board of directors appointments for the Women’s Jewelry Association.
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.
Related stories will be right here …
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.
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