SourcingMar 21, 2024
Grizzly Sells 4,145-Carat Emerald for Over $1MPolicies & IssuesMar 27, 2024
Mercury Free Mining Hires Bernadette Mack
The former WJA executive director is MFM’s new managing director.
Bernadette Mack, who previously served as executive director of the WJA, has been hired as managing director of nonprofit Mercury Free Mining.
Corvallis, Ore.— Nonprofit Mercury Free Mining (MFM) has hired Bernadette Mack as its managing director, a newly created position.
Founded in 2017, the organization works to eradicate mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM).
Mack’s hiring comes as part of the company’s planned expansion of programming and outreach.
In her career of two decades, Mack has gained experience in the nonprofit sector and the jewelry industry, as well as expertise in the development of nonprofit operations, fundraising, marketing, and communication.
She served as executive director of the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) from 2012-2019 and has spent the last four years operating a private consultancy firm with clients including environmental groups, museums, theaters, an historical society, and a variety of small businesses.
Her skills will aid the organization in its mission to protect people and the environment from the toxic effects of mercury pollution from artisanal gold mining, MFM said.
In her new role, she will create operational systems as well as new outreach and funding pathways to support MFM’s future growth.
“We couldn’t be happier that Bernadette has joined our team and mission. Her passion for nonprofit work and deep knowledge of organizational management are exactly what we need right now,” said Toby Pomeroy, MFM’s founder and executive director.
Related stories will be right here …
Founded in 2017, the organization works to eradicate mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM).
Mack’s hiring comes as part of the company’s planned expansion of programming and outreach.
In her career of two decades, Mack has gained experience in the nonprofit sector and the jewelry industry, as well as expertise in the development of nonprofit operations, fundraising, marketing, and communication.
She served as executive director of the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) from 2012-2019 and has spent the last four years operating a private consultancy firm with clients including environmental groups, museums, theaters, an historical society, and a variety of small businesses.
Her skills will aid the organization in its mission to protect people and the environment from the toxic effects of mercury pollution from artisanal gold mining, MFM said.
In her new role, she will create operational systems as well as new outreach and funding pathways to support MFM’s future growth.
“We couldn’t be happier that Bernadette has joined our team and mission. Her passion for nonprofit work and deep knowledge of organizational management are exactly what we need right now,” said Toby Pomeroy, MFM’s founder and executive director.
Mack's appointment marks a “crucial phase of growth,” MFM said, and comes amid the start of new projects in Colombia and Sierra Leone, where the company continues to pursue its goal of eliminating the need to use mercury in artisanal gold mining by using a technology called Goldrop.
Initiatives in the countries stated above are underway to prove the technology’s effectiveness and practicality in real-world mining conditions, and ultimately establish Goldrop as the mining industry standard.
The technology behind Goldrop was invented by John Richmond of Sluice Goose Industries and patented in the U.S. in 2018.
It uses the elutriation process (precipitating out particles by means of an upward current of fluid, often water or air) to separate gold, including all heavy elements and minerals, from mineral concentrate and tailings, Pomeroy told National Jeweler via email while he was field-testing the technology in Ghana in 2020.
“For years we’ve been working toward our vision of eradicating mercury use among artisanal and small-scale gold miners. With the discovery of the highly efficient Goldrop® technology, we feel we’re on the cusp of seeing our vision become reality,” said Pomeroy.
“This is the ideal time for us to bring on an expert in nonprofit management to help us scale our operations to make huge strides in eliminating the use of mercury pollution from gold mining.”
Mack added, “This mission is important and achievable - so to help advance what Toby, his supporters, and colleagues have built feels like a golden opportunity for me.”
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
ColumnistsSep 11, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry HeistAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’sThe “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
