JA announces 2023 Class of ‘20 Under 40’
The list recognizes young retail talent nationwide.
The honorees embody an ability to lead, innovate, and improve a jewelry store's success while adhering to professional ethics, JA said.
JA members and non-members across the jewelry industry nominated contenders for the 20 Under 40 list. A panel of industry judges narrowed down more than 150 nominees to 20 honorees.
All are under age 40 and employed by JA member retail stores, with job roles ranging from owners to management, marketing, merchandising, training, and more.
The trade organization began the list in 2022. It celebrates professionals who exemplify leadership skills and a commitment to elevating jewelry retail for consumers, JA said.
“Jewelers of America recognizes the importance of shining a spotlight on the up-and-coming talent found at member stores nationwide. These recipients’ dedication to their craft, community and the industry will pave the way for a brighter future and the next generation of jewelry professionals,” said JA President and CEO David Bonaparte.
The 20 Under 40 in Jewelry Retail List honorees for 2023 are:
Jessica Adler Gerring, owner and chief operating officer of Adler's Diamonds, St. Louis, Missouri;
Raeann Baribault Schwartz, partner and chief marketing officer of Baribault Jewelers, Glastonbury, Connecticut;
Alex Bellman, COO of Bellman Jewelers, Manchester, New Hampshire;
Brandon Boudreaux, COO of Boudreaux’s Jewelers, Metairie, Louisiana;
Maria Brown, co-owner and vice president of Exclusively Diamonds, Mankato, Minnesota;
Trish Carruth, founder and lead designer of Your Personal Jeweler, Royal Oak, Michigan;
Marino A. Costello, general manager of Costello Jewelry Company, Naperville, Illinois;
Matthew Fink, president of Fink’s Jewelers, Roanoke, Virginia;
Lauren Forbes, director of diamonds and gemstones at Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry, Seattle, Washington;
Stephanie Gottlieb, founder and CEO of Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry, New York, New York;
Angela Hope, vice president of merchandise of Ben Bridge Jeweler, Seattle, Washington;
Allison Leitzel Williams, co-owner and president of Leitzel’s Jewelry, Hershey and Myerstown, Pennsylvania;
Nikia Levesque, vice president of marketing at Day’s Jewelers, Waterville, Maine;
Natacha Metayer, president and owner of JNCY Jewelers, Miami, Florida;
Isreal Morales, owner of Sky Diamond Jewelers, New Windsor, New York;
Lexis S. Parker, director of training at Huntington Fine Jewelers, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;
Emily Phillippy, owner of Emily Chelsea Jewelry, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
Courtney Sivard, director of marketing at BC Clark Jewelers, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;
Abby Snow, co-owner and manager of Metalmark Fine Jewelry, Phoenix, Arizona;
Scott Udell, vice president of London Jewelers, Manhasset, New York.
Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 program is sponsored by Jewelers Mutual Group and Synchrony. For more information about each of the 20 Under 40 List recipients, visit the JA website.
The Latest
Grosz had served as Assael’s senior vice president and creative director since 2017.
“Love and Celebration” is the jeweler’s first in-house collection featuring engagement rings, wedding bands, and celebration rings.
A more positive view of the labor market contributed to the strongest monthly gain since March 2021.
From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
Jennifer Mulvihill, the first woman to lead JSA in the organization’s 141-year history, takes over for the retiring John Kennedy.
This year’s festivities include more than 100 experiences, such as designer showcases, panel discussions, and even a treasure hunt.
The GMT-Master “Pepsi” that belonged to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is one of two Apollo-flown Rolex watches ever sold at auction.
This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
The ads star brand ambassadors Chloe and Halle Bailey and Pamela Anderson.
The company combined two sights in Q3 due to the slowdown in demand, and said it is moving up the dates for sights 9 and 10 in Q4.
The jewelry designer discussed how she got into the jewelry industry, what she keeps in her favorite locket, and the future of her brand.
Participants can buy five votes for $5 to decide which jeweler will dress up as an ‘80s rockstar for Halloween.
These 15 pieces of jewelry hand-picked ahead of Halloween appeal to the costume- and candy-loving child in all of us.
Starboard Luxury is bringing the Italian brand aboard The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s newest yacht.
The pendant, circa the late 1700s, likely was commissioned to remember a loved one who died young.
It features the brand’s products in the precious color, semi-precious color, pearl, diamond, gold, and sterling silver categories.
For her annual Halloween story, Associate Editor Lenore Fedow pairs fine jewelry with classic and contemporary Halloween costumes.
Sales fell 15 percent for the luxury conglomerate in the third quarter, led by a 26 percent drop in sales for flagship brand Gucci.
The education offerings include a diamond cutting demonstration, a session with JVC President Sara Yood, and a seminar on AI.
The book features new styles and revived favorites.
Aimed at a generation that emphasizes self-care and mental health, “Worth the Wait” breaks new ground in the world of diamond advertising.
Editor Lauren McLemore immersed herself in New York Bridal Fashion Week to better understand the role fine jewelry plays on the big day.
The jeweler shared her change of heart on lab-grown diamonds and why she keeps them separate from natural diamonds in her business ventures.
The New York-based brand is expanding outside of the U.S., with a pop-up shop in London and plans to distribute internationally.
They’re available through a retailer that sells luxury products inspired by the lifestyle of Batman’s billionaire civilian persona.
The watchmaker is selling 1,000 “Waterbury” watches for $1 each in celebration of its 170th anniversary.
Launched by De Beers in 2018, the program aims to develop a responsible sourcing model for the artisanal/small-scale diamond mining sector.