MajorsSep 09, 2025
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersMajorsDec 02, 2025
Lee Krombholz Takes Over as Chair of MJSA Education Foundation
In addition, a slate of new officers and trustees were appointed to the board.
The MJSA Education Foundation has named, from left to right, Lee Krombholz as chair, Michael Coan as vice chair, Donna DeLucia as secretary, and Joanna Joy Seetoo as treasurer, along with four new trustees.
New York—The MJSA Education Foundation has appointed a new slate of officers and four trustees to its board.
Lee Krombholz, the foundation’s former vice chair, was named chair of the board, succeeding Joseph Esposito.
Krombholz is the CEO of Cincinnati-based Krombholz Jewelers. He has served on MJSA’s board of directors and frequently contributes to the organization’s publications and seminar programs.
Michael Coan will now serve as vice chair.
He is a longtime member of the foundation’s board and is an assistant professor of jewelry design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, where he served as chair of the jewelry department from 2001 to 2015.
Donna DeLucia, also a longtime member of the foundation’s board, was named secretary.
She is a business development executive with M. Schamroth & Sons in New York and is the vice president of inclusion and belonging for the Women’s Jewelry Association.
Joanna Joy Seetoo will serve as treasurer.
She is San Diego-based jewelry designer and consultant who formerly managed GIA’s Jewelry Manufacturing Arts program in Carlsbad, California, and also was an assistant director and instructor at the Revere Academy in San Francisco.
Four new trustees have also joined the MJSA Education Foundation’s board.
The new trustees are:
Amanda Gizzi, senior vice president of corporate affairs at Jewelers of America;
Chris Ploof, owner of Leominster, Massachusetts-based Chris Ploof Designs;
Jason Chandler, founder of the Portland Jewelry Academy in Portland, Oregon; and
Karen Smith, metal artist and founder of training program We Wield the Hammer in Oakland, California.
Related stories will be right here …
Lee Krombholz, the foundation’s former vice chair, was named chair of the board, succeeding Joseph Esposito.
Krombholz is the CEO of Cincinnati-based Krombholz Jewelers. He has served on MJSA’s board of directors and frequently contributes to the organization’s publications and seminar programs.
Michael Coan will now serve as vice chair.
He is a longtime member of the foundation’s board and is an assistant professor of jewelry design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, where he served as chair of the jewelry department from 2001 to 2015.
Donna DeLucia, also a longtime member of the foundation’s board, was named secretary.
She is a business development executive with M. Schamroth & Sons in New York and is the vice president of inclusion and belonging for the Women’s Jewelry Association.
Joanna Joy Seetoo will serve as treasurer.
She is San Diego-based jewelry designer and consultant who formerly managed GIA’s Jewelry Manufacturing Arts program in Carlsbad, California, and also was an assistant director and instructor at the Revere Academy in San Francisco.
The MJSA Education Foundation’s new trustees are, from left to right, Amanda Gizzi, Chris Ploof, Jason Chandler, and Karen Smith.
Four new trustees have also joined the MJSA Education Foundation’s board.
The new trustees are:
Amanda Gizzi, senior vice president of corporate affairs at Jewelers of America;
Chris Ploof, owner of Leominster, Massachusetts-based Chris Ploof Designs;
Jason Chandler, founder of the Portland Jewelry Academy in Portland, Oregon; and
Karen Smith, metal artist and founder of training program We Wield the Hammer in Oakland, California.
Rich Youmans will continue to serve on the board and implement its initiatives as executive director.
The MJSA Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 subsidiary of Jewelers of America, supporting career and training programs for students and workers in the industry.
Its initiatives include the “Future of Jewelry Making” scholarship, whose 2025 winners were announced in September.
Visit MJSA’s website to learn more.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
