Events & AwardsMay 07, 2024
JA Now Accepting Applications for New Bench Jeweler ScholarshipEvents & AwardsMay 15, 2024
See Who’s in JA’s 2024 ‘20 Under 40’ Class
The annual list recognizes young professionals making an impact in jewelry retail.
Jewelers of America has named its 2024 “20 Under 40 in Jewelry Retail” class.
New York—Jewelers of America has announced the inductees into this year’s “20 Under 40 in Jewelry Retail” group.
The annual list, now in its third year, recognizes young professionals who show leadership skills and a commitment to innovating jewelry retail.
Chosen by a panel of industry judges, the recipients are under the age of 40 and employed by JA member retail stores.
“Jewelers of America is thrilled to welcome the next class of the ‘20 Under 40 in Jewelry Retail’ and shine a spotlight on the talented individuals in our Jewelers of America member stores nationwide. So many of these professionals are already trailblazing and leading our future forward and we look forward to being part of their journey,” said JA President and CEO David Bonaparte.
The 2024 recipients are as follows:
Milana Arsakhanova, director of sales at Bellman Jewelers in Manchester, New Hampshire;
Grace Barretti, senior marketing manager at Greenwich St. Jewelers in New York, New York;
Jesse Dikes, store manager and boutique director at Weston Jewelers Hard Rock - Hublot Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida;
Jonathan Geller, president and CEO at D. Geller & Son in Atlanta, Georgia;
Paula Gracia, regional director at Ben Bridge Jeweler in Seattle, Washington;
Bobbi K. Hansen, director of merchandising at Fred Meyer Jewelers in Portland, Oregon;
Ilsa Heinicke Huscher, e-commerce manager at Borsheims in Omaha, Nebraska;
William Jones IV, co-founder of Jewelry Sales Academy and chief operating officer at Sissy’s Log Cabin in Pine Bluff, Arkansas;
Viviana Langhoff, fine jewelry designer and founder of Adornment and Theory in Chicago, Illinois;
Beau Maville, vice president of sales and marketing at Dutille's Jewelry Design Studio in Lebanon, New Hampshire;
Janina Messerlian, vice president at Baxter's Fine Jewelry in Warwick, Rhode Island;
Niki Novello, Graduate Gemologist at Cleveland Jewelry Designs in Lyndhurst, Ohio;
Megan Piccione, owner and president at Megan Piccione High Jewelry in Beachwood, Ohio;
Marina Pilibosian Bozabalian, vice president at Birmingham Jewelry in Sterling Heights, Michigan;
Talon Rasmussen, director of manufacturing at Rasmussen Jewelers in Spanish Fork, Utah;
Sara Reisz Sargent, co-owner at Summerwind Jewelers & Goldsmiths in Portsmouth, New Hampshire;
Amina Sorel, CEO and founder of Amina Sorel Fine Jewelry in New York, New York;
Alysa Teichman, owner at Ylang 23 in Dallas, Texas, and Wildlike in New York, New York;
Amelia Tuttle, website manager at Day’s Jewelers in Waterville, Maine; and
Troy Underwood, vice president at Underwoods Fine Jewelers in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
For more information about each of the 20 Under 40 recipients, visit the JA website.
Related stories will be right here …
The annual list, now in its third year, recognizes young professionals who show leadership skills and a commitment to innovating jewelry retail.
Chosen by a panel of industry judges, the recipients are under the age of 40 and employed by JA member retail stores.
“Jewelers of America is thrilled to welcome the next class of the ‘20 Under 40 in Jewelry Retail’ and shine a spotlight on the talented individuals in our Jewelers of America member stores nationwide. So many of these professionals are already trailblazing and leading our future forward and we look forward to being part of their journey,” said JA President and CEO David Bonaparte.
The 2024 recipients are as follows:
Milana Arsakhanova, director of sales at Bellman Jewelers in Manchester, New Hampshire;
Grace Barretti, senior marketing manager at Greenwich St. Jewelers in New York, New York;
Jesse Dikes, store manager and boutique director at Weston Jewelers Hard Rock - Hublot Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida;
Jonathan Geller, president and CEO at D. Geller & Son in Atlanta, Georgia;
Paula Gracia, regional director at Ben Bridge Jeweler in Seattle, Washington;
Bobbi K. Hansen, director of merchandising at Fred Meyer Jewelers in Portland, Oregon;
Ilsa Heinicke Huscher, e-commerce manager at Borsheims in Omaha, Nebraska;
William Jones IV, co-founder of Jewelry Sales Academy and chief operating officer at Sissy’s Log Cabin in Pine Bluff, Arkansas;
Viviana Langhoff, fine jewelry designer and founder of Adornment and Theory in Chicago, Illinois;
Beau Maville, vice president of sales and marketing at Dutille's Jewelry Design Studio in Lebanon, New Hampshire;
Janina Messerlian, vice president at Baxter's Fine Jewelry in Warwick, Rhode Island;
Niki Novello, Graduate Gemologist at Cleveland Jewelry Designs in Lyndhurst, Ohio;
Megan Piccione, owner and president at Megan Piccione High Jewelry in Beachwood, Ohio;
Marina Pilibosian Bozabalian, vice president at Birmingham Jewelry in Sterling Heights, Michigan;
Talon Rasmussen, director of manufacturing at Rasmussen Jewelers in Spanish Fork, Utah;
Sara Reisz Sargent, co-owner at Summerwind Jewelers & Goldsmiths in Portsmouth, New Hampshire;
Amina Sorel, CEO and founder of Amina Sorel Fine Jewelry in New York, New York;
Alysa Teichman, owner at Ylang 23 in Dallas, Texas, and Wildlike in New York, New York;
Amelia Tuttle, website manager at Day’s Jewelers in Waterville, Maine; and
Troy Underwood, vice president at Underwoods Fine Jewelers in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
For more information about each of the 20 Under 40 recipients, visit the JA website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
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.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.
FinancialsAug 06, 2026
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 6%, Driven by High-Income ShoppersThe retailer said it had its biggest Mother’s Day ever, with strong demand for higher-priced jewelry.
TrendsAug 06, 2026
New Book on Handcrafted American Objects Highlights Jewelry“Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America” features historic and contemporary works, including a Diné squash blossom necklace.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
AJA East Coast Names Ani Khachian as First Female President-ElectThe Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Private Equity Firm Wants to Buy 100+ JCPenney StoresOnyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Atlanta Jeweler Introduces $10K MartiniSolomon Brothers Jewelers has partnered with local cocktail bar Roaring Social on a new martini garnished with a tennis necklace.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Another Member of the Siegel Family Joins Hamilton Jewelers Benjamin Siegel, son of President and CEO Hank Siegel, started working for the family business this week.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Bulgari Opens Store in San DiegoThe new space features a modern design that blends Bulgari’s Roman heritage with San Diego’s coastal spirit.
CrimeAug 04, 2026
Crew of Thieves Break Into Indiana Jeweler’s HomeFour men were charged in connection with the break-in and accused of stealing $365,000 in cash, jewelry, and designer goods.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Pandora Hires Former Signet Board Member to Lead North American MarketAndré Branch has more than 25 years of experience with various brands, most recently serving as CEO of Ariana Grande’s cosmetics company.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Sasha Primak Acquires GemlokNew York-based atelier Gemlok is best known for creating the innovative “bridge” setting that became popular in the bridal market.
