GIA has named Lisa Bridge (left), CEO of Ben Bridge Jeweler, and Dr. Wendy Bohrson, professor of geology at the Colorado School of Mines, to its board of governors.
Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) named two new members to its board of governors during its recent board meeting.
Lisa Bridge, CEO of Ben Bridge Jeweler, and Dr. Wendy Bohrson, professor of geology at the Colorado School of Mines, have joined the board.
The GIA Board of Governors includes (front row from left to right) Samantha Ravich, Ph.D.; Dave Bindra; Susan Jacques; Lisa Locklear, board chair; Stephen Kahler, vice chair; Barbara Dutrow, Ph.D.; Russell Mehta; (back row from left to right) Wendy Bohrson, Ph.D.; Tom Moses; Andy Johnson; Marcus ter Haar; Jeffrey Post, Ph.D.; Lisa Bridge; François Delage; Kiko Harvey; Tammy Storino; Lake Dai; and Lawrence Ma.
“These two outstanding professionals and accomplished leaders join the other prominent members of the GIA Board in their vital role of strategically guiding the Institute in fulfilling our important consumer protection mission,” said GIA CEO Susan Jacques.
Bridge marks the fifth generation of her family to lead the company, which is a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary.
She graduated with honors from Washington University in St. Louis and holds her GIA Graduate Gemologist diploma and a Certified Gemologist title from the American Gem Society (AGS).
Bridge is the immediate past president of the board of AGS. She also serves on the Jewelers for Children board and is a member of the advisory committee of the Black in Jewelry Coalition.
Bohrson, a geology and geological engineering professor at the Colorado School of Mines, has made substantial contributions to geoscience during her 35-year academic career, said GIA.
She holds a Ph.D. in geology from UCLA and a Bachelor of Science in geology and biology from Stanford University.
She has worked extensively on magma systems and contributed to major research collaborations on volcanic processes, said GIA.
Bohrson has received numerous accolades from her peers and students. She also mentors graduate and undergraduate students in geosciences.
“Lisa’s business acumen, leadership of an iconic American jewelry retailer, and deep connection to the jewelry industry, along with Wendy’s scientific and academic expertise and innovative research in geology, bring important perspectives to our board,” said Lisa Locklear, chair of the GIA board of governors.
Prior to the board meeting, GIA held its 14th annual research meeting, welcoming nearly 80 experts, including GIA scientists and researchers, eight board members, and outside experts to review scientific discoveries in gemology, instrumentation, and related fields.
During the three-day conference, GIA researchers shared their scientific presentations on important advances in diamond, colored stone, and pearl identification and testing.
They also discussed specialized instrumentation development, including the use of AI and machine learning, as well as advances in origin determination for specific gemstones, field gemology reports, and other aspects of GIA’s research program.
The GIA research team will share some of its research during next year’s Converge event, held at its Carlsbad headquarters from Sept. 7-10.
Registration for Converge will open in January 2025.
