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GIA CEO, President Susan Jacques to Retire at the End of 2025
The grading lab said the search for her successor is underway.
Susan Jacques, who has served as GIA's CEO and president for more than a decade, is retiring.
Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America has announced that president and CEO Susan Jacques will retire at the end of the year.
Jacques has headed the grading lab since Jan. 1, 2014, after serving as its interim CEO for six months.
She also has been a member of the GIA Board of Governors since 1996, chairing the board from 2008-2014 and remaining a member after being named CEO.
“Susan Jacques is an incredible leader for GIA and the global gem and jewelry industry,” said the board’s current chair, Lisa Locklear.
“Under her expert, compassionate and visionary leadership, GIA has achieved new heights of success in often challenging times. Susan’s dedicated service as president and CEO leaves GIA well positioned to continue to advance its important mission of ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry.”
Jacques said, “At GIA, I have been fortunate to lead one of the industry’s most trusted organizations and our passionate teams around the world as we ensured the truth about gems through innovation, service, and knowledge.
“I am confident and optimistic about the future success of GIA and the gem and jewelry industry as I enter this next chapter of my life.”
Related stories will be right here …
Jacques has headed the grading lab since Jan. 1, 2014, after serving as its interim CEO for six months.
She also has been a member of the GIA Board of Governors since 1996, chairing the board from 2008-2014 and remaining a member after being named CEO.
“Susan Jacques is an incredible leader for GIA and the global gem and jewelry industry,” said the board’s current chair, Lisa Locklear.
“Under her expert, compassionate and visionary leadership, GIA has achieved new heights of success in often challenging times. Susan’s dedicated service as president and CEO leaves GIA well positioned to continue to advance its important mission of ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry.”
Jacques said, “At GIA, I have been fortunate to lead one of the industry’s most trusted organizations and our passionate teams around the world as we ensured the truth about gems through innovation, service, and knowledge.
“I am confident and optimistic about the future success of GIA and the gem and jewelry industry as I enter this next chapter of my life.”
GIA said a committee comprised of GIA governors has begun the search for Jacques’ successor and the group will consider both internal and external candidates.
Jacques said she will assist with the transition of the new leader through the end of 2025.
Lorraine Lavet and Chris Von Der Ahe at consulting firm Korn Ferry will co-lead the search.
They can be contacted at Lorraine.Lavet@kornferry.com and Chris.Vonderahe@KornFerry.com.
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