MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersMajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board Chair
JVC also announced the election of five new board members.
The Jewelers Vigilance Committee, the organization that provides the industry with legal education and compliance guidance, has named a new chairperson and five new board members.
New York—The Jewelers Vigilance Committee has a new board chairperson and five new board members following its recent election.
Julie Yoakum, president of Signet Jewelers’ Kay and Peoples Jewelers brands and former president of Helzberg, has been elected chairperson of the board.
“The Jewelers Vigilance Committee plays a critical role in protecting trust across our industry,” Yoakum said.
“I am honored to serve alongside such a thoughtful group of leaders as we continue to support businesses and uphold the standards that matter to consumers.”
The new leadership comes at an important time for the organization, said JVC, as it faces “increasing regulatory complexity, heightened consumer expectations, and evolving standards around advertising, sourcing, and compliance.”
Yoakum is joined by the following officers:
Rebecca Foerster, past chairperson, Hearts On Fire;
Michael Richards, first vice president, Underwood Jewelers;
John Kreul, second vice president, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group;
Mark Goldberg, treasurer and finance committee chair, Rolex Watch USA; and
Lisa Lackland, corporate secretary and legal action committee chair, Ben Bridge Jeweler.
Related stories will be right here …
Julie Yoakum, president of Signet Jewelers’ Kay and Peoples Jewelers brands and former president of Helzberg, has been elected chairperson of the board.
“The Jewelers Vigilance Committee plays a critical role in protecting trust across our industry,” Yoakum said.
“I am honored to serve alongside such a thoughtful group of leaders as we continue to support businesses and uphold the standards that matter to consumers.”
The new leadership comes at an important time for the organization, said JVC, as it faces “increasing regulatory complexity, heightened consumer expectations, and evolving standards around advertising, sourcing, and compliance.”
Yoakum is joined by the following officers:
Rebecca Foerster, past chairperson, Hearts On Fire;
Michael Richards, first vice president, Underwood Jewelers;
John Kreul, second vice president, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group;
Mark Goldberg, treasurer and finance committee chair, Rolex Watch USA; and
Lisa Lackland, corporate secretary and legal action committee chair, Ben Bridge Jeweler.
JVC’s five new board members and officers have backgrounds in retail, manufacturing, education, communications, merchandising, insurance, and supply chain operations.
They are Charlie Green, Arien Gessner, Johanna Levy, Tina Moretti, and Tara Zerr.
Green is the director of stores for Lux Bond and Green Jewelers, marking the fifth generation of his family in the business.
Gessner is president of Rio Grande, Richline Group’s jewelry industry supply division. He has a background in digital marketing and e-commerce, and worked at a national laboratory. He holds a U.S. Department of Energy security clearance.
Levy is vice president of communications and ESG at the Gemological Institute of America, leading its global communications strategy. She also advises its leadership on brand reputation and public perception.
Moretti, senior vice president of GoldStar Jewellery LLC, has been in the jewelry industry for more than 30 years. Her focus is on aligning creative direction with strategic sales initiatives and long-term partnerships.
Zerr, divisional vice president of merchandising at Helzberg, has more than 24 years of experience in large-scale retail leadership. She oversees the engagement, anniversary, and luxury pre-owned categories.
The following board members will continue to serve:
Scott Berg, Lee Michaels Jewelers Inc.;
Katherine Bodoh, American Gem Society;
Richard Corbo, Chanel;
Brandee Dallow, Grandview Klein Diamonds;
Annie Doresca, Diamond Council of America;
Steven Holtzman, CD Peacock;
Jenny Luker, Platinum Guild International USA;
Malyia McNaughton, Made by Malyia;
Belit Myers, Stuller Inc.; and
Shekhar Shah, Real Gems Inc.
“JVC exists to help the jewelry industry navigate change with clarity and confidence,” said Sara Yood, CEO and general counsel of JVC.
“As legal and regulatory expectations continue to evolve, this board brings the experience and perspective needed to ensure the industry has trusted guidance and a strong, independent voice.”
For more information about JVC, visit its website.
More on Majors
The Latest
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
Policies & IssuesOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to MiamiThe 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes’ Championship Ring Reveals Hidden Hockey Puck PendantThe rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.
