MajorsJan 19, 2024
Jeffrey Cohen Takes Over as 24 Karat Club ChairMajorsJan 24, 2024
Rebecca Foerster Elected Chair of JVC Board of Directors
In addition, the organization will honor Matt Stuller with the Stanley Schechter Award at its upcoming luncheon.
Hearts On Fire North America President Rebecca Foerster will serve as chair of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee’s board for the 2024-2026 term.
New York—The Jewelers Vigilance Committee has appointed new board officers for the 2024-2026 term, with Rebecca Foerster taking over as board chair.
Foerster is president of Hearts On Fire North America, a position she has held since May 2022.
Prior to that, she was president of Alrosa North America from January 2019 until the closure of that office in March 2022.
Foerster also served as the former senior vice president of strategic planning and marketing for Leo Schachter Diamonds; oversaw diamond sales and marketing as vice president for Rio Tinto’s U.S. office; and was the vice president of marketing at Frederick Goldman.
She served as president of Diamonds Do Good (DDG) for four years and currently is on the DDG executive committee as head of global partnerships.
“I am extremely honored and excited about my new role with the Jewelers Vigilance Committee,” Foerster said.
“The importance of this organization and the role it plays to support every part of our supply chain to make sure we are aware of significant issues and changes, to protect us and make sure we are compliant with ever-changing rules and legislation, has never been more relevant than today.”
Joining Foerster on the board are past Chair Jenny Luker, president of Platinum Guild International USA; First Vice President Julie Yoakum, president and chief brand merchant at Helzberg Diamonds; Second Vice President Michael Richards, vice president and chief operating officer at Underwood Jewelers in Jacksonville, Florida; Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair Mark Goldberg, chief financial officer of Rolex Watch USA; and Secretary and Legal Action Committee Chair Lisa Wong Lackland, general counsel at Ben Bridge Jeweler.
Related stories will be right here …
Foerster is president of Hearts On Fire North America, a position she has held since May 2022.
Prior to that, she was president of Alrosa North America from January 2019 until the closure of that office in March 2022.
Foerster also served as the former senior vice president of strategic planning and marketing for Leo Schachter Diamonds; oversaw diamond sales and marketing as vice president for Rio Tinto’s U.S. office; and was the vice president of marketing at Frederick Goldman.
She served as president of Diamonds Do Good (DDG) for four years and currently is on the DDG executive committee as head of global partnerships.
“I am extremely honored and excited about my new role with the Jewelers Vigilance Committee,” Foerster said.
“The importance of this organization and the role it plays to support every part of our supply chain to make sure we are aware of significant issues and changes, to protect us and make sure we are compliant with ever-changing rules and legislation, has never been more relevant than today.”
Joining Foerster on the board are past Chair Jenny Luker, president of Platinum Guild International USA; First Vice President Julie Yoakum, president and chief brand merchant at Helzberg Diamonds; Second Vice President Michael Richards, vice president and chief operating officer at Underwood Jewelers in Jacksonville, Florida; Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair Mark Goldberg, chief financial officer of Rolex Watch USA; and Secretary and Legal Action Committee Chair Lisa Wong Lackland, general counsel at Ben Bridge Jeweler.
In addition, JVC recently announced the 2024 recipient of the Stanley Schechter Award will be Stuller Inc. founder, chairperson, and CEO Matt G. Stuller Sr.
Presented annually, the Stanley Schechter Award goes to an individual who exemplifies industry ethics.
JVC said Stuller’s “visionary leadership” in the industry, which has spanned more than five decades, showcases “an unwavering commitment to integrity.”
In addition, his philanthropic endeavors, including The Stuller Family Foundation, Parish Proud, and Love Our Schools, highlight his commitment to the community around him.
JVC will honor Stuller at its annual luncheon, scheduled for Friday, March 8, at the Intercontinental Barclay hotel in New York.
It will begin at noon with a networking/cocktail hour.
For more information, visit the JVC website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
Events & AwardsAug 05, 2025
JA Announces Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship WinnersThe organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.
Events & AwardsAug 04, 2025
Gem Awards, David Yurman Introduce $50K Grant for Emerging DesignersThe winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
