Kathy Hillelson Joins Board of WJA Foundation
Hillelson is a second-generation diamantaire and CEO of Owl Financial Group.

Kathy Hillelson is the CEO of Owl Financial Group, a provider of asset-back financing to the diamond trade.
She is also a second-generation diamantaire who manages the global buying and selling of diamonds and jewelry for her family’s business, Blue River Gems Inc.
Hillelson is an active member of the World Diamond Council and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee. Her contributions to advancing industry standards and practices are widely recognized, WJA said.
Outside of work, she is an avid traveler and is committed to supporting charitable causes, particularly those that benefit children.
“Kathy’s lifelong connection to the diamond industry and her deep-rooted passion for fine jewelry bring a fresh and inspiring energy to our team,” WJA Foundation President Nikia Levesque-Meyer said.
“Growing up in a world where diamonds and jewelry were a part of everyday life, she has developed a dynamic blend of expertise and intuition that will greatly benefit our mission of empowering women throughout the industry. I am excited to welcome Kathy to the board and look forward to the remarkable contributions she will undoubtedly make.”
The WJA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that offers a variety of scholarships and grants to professionals in the jewelry and watch industries.
These include the scholarship established earlier this year in honor of the late Hedda Schupak and the Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship, created in 2023.
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