MajorsApr 06, 2026
Kecia Caffie, Corinne Bentzen No Longer With Signet JewelersIndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership Team
As demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
The Edge Retail Academy has appointed and promoted executives to its leadership team, including, (from left) Ellen Gardner, Jennifer Motes, Mona Lisa Shaffer, and Cindi Haddad Drew.
New York—The Edge Retail Academy, a business coaching and analytics firm serving retail jewelers, is updating its leadership team, appointing new executives while promoting others.
“With growing demand for our coaching program among retail jewelers aiming to accelerate their growth, we’ve expanded our team with seasoned professionals who bring deep industry and coaching experience and a history of delivering results,” said Becka Johnson Kibby, CEO of the Edge Retail Academy, who took on the role late last year.
“These strategic additions enhance our leadership team and position us to deliver even greater value to our clients and the industry.”
As demand for jewelry retail coaching grew, the company established a dedicated business coaching leadership team, said Kibby in a statement to National Jeweler, with plans to hire an additional business coach.
Ellen Gardner has joined the company as vice president of business coaching. She has more than 25 years of business consulting and coaching experience, and has owned multiple businesses.
Previously, she was a consultant for soda shop chain Fiiz Drinks and cookie chain Crumbl, as per her LinkedIn profile.
Gardner has worked with business owners to improve financial and operational performance, and has led national training programs on scaling, forecasting, and return on investment.
Jennifer Motes, formerly a business coach with the Edge Retail Academy, has been promoted to senior director of coach development.
Motes has more than 30 years of experience in the retail jewelry industry, including store ownership, absentee ownership, oversight of multi-store operations, strategic merchandising, and developing high-performing retail teams.
Related stories will be right here …
“With growing demand for our coaching program among retail jewelers aiming to accelerate their growth, we’ve expanded our team with seasoned professionals who bring deep industry and coaching experience and a history of delivering results,” said Becka Johnson Kibby, CEO of the Edge Retail Academy, who took on the role late last year.
“These strategic additions enhance our leadership team and position us to deliver even greater value to our clients and the industry.”
As demand for jewelry retail coaching grew, the company established a dedicated business coaching leadership team, said Kibby in a statement to National Jeweler, with plans to hire an additional business coach.
Ellen Gardner has joined the company as vice president of business coaching. She has more than 25 years of business consulting and coaching experience, and has owned multiple businesses.
Previously, she was a consultant for soda shop chain Fiiz Drinks and cookie chain Crumbl, as per her LinkedIn profile.
Gardner has worked with business owners to improve financial and operational performance, and has led national training programs on scaling, forecasting, and return on investment.
Jennifer Motes, formerly a business coach with the Edge Retail Academy, has been promoted to senior director of coach development.
Motes has more than 30 years of experience in the retail jewelry industry, including store ownership, absentee ownership, oversight of multi-store operations, strategic merchandising, and developing high-performing retail teams.
Mona Lisa Shaffer, formerly the Edge Retail Academy’s senior business coach, has been promoted to director of business coaching operations.
Shaffer also has more than 30 years of experience in the retail jewelry industry, with a focus on leadership and management, sales performance, team development, and inventory optimization.
The company has also hired a new business coach, Cindi Haddad Drew.
She joins the company with more than 40 years of experience in the jewelry industry, including owning and operating her own retail store.
She is the owner of Cindi’s Diamond & Jewelry Gallery in Foxborough, Massachusetts, as per her LinkedIn profile.
Drew is a former client of the Edge Retail Academy. She transitioned to a remote ownership model and helps other jewelry store owners do the same.
Sherry Smith, formerly vice president of coaching strategy and development at the Edge Retail Academy, recently left the company after 14 years, joining the consulting firm The Retail Smiths.
The Edge Retail Academy will be at JCK Las Vegas to share more information about its coaching programs.
More on Independents
The Latest
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
CrimeApr 16, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
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.
PodcastsApr 15, 2026
Episode 4: The Natural Diamond DilemmaSally Morrison and Mark Klein discuss De Beers’ first beacon in 16 years and the mistake the industry made with lab-grown diamonds.
Weekly QuizApr 09, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 15, 2026
Spark Creations’ Randy McKenzie Dies at 72 McKenzie spent 45 years with Spark Creations and is remembered for being kind, dedicated, and hardworking.
WatchesApr 15, 2026
These Are the New Rolex Watches for 2026Rolex focused exclusively on the Oyster Perpetual this year, as the model is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
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.
FinancialsApr 15, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Shines in Q1, Gucci’s Struggle ContinuesThe luxury giant discussed the Middle East conflict and its transformation plans, hinting at a stronger jewelry presence in North America.
SourcingApr 15, 2026
Diamond Club West Coast Names 2026 BoardKalpesh Jhaveri was re-elected as president for a third year.
TechnologyApr 15, 2026
This Jewelry Brand’s Video Series Is Up for a Webby Award“Diamond Divas,” a social media reality series by Shahla Karimi Jewelry, is nominated in the “Best Social: Fashion & Beauty” category.
SourcingApr 14, 2026
De Beers Expands ‘Desert Diamonds’ Beacon Into BridalThe campaign seeks to reignite desire for natural diamond engagement rings by highlighting the “distinct character” of warm-toned diamonds.
FinancialsApr 14, 2026
LVMH’s Q1 Sales Sink 6% Amid Middle East ConflictPlus, how Saks Global’s bankruptcy affected the luxury giant’s first quarter.
SourcingApr 14, 2026
International Jade Summit to Return to MontereyPresented by Mason-Kay Jade, the summit, in its second year, will again be held during the Monterey Bay Jade Festival.
Events & AwardsApr 14, 2026
CBG Releases Details for Las Vegas ShowThe group has announced its lineup of speakers and a new “Rising Stars” pavilion.
CollectionsApr 13, 2026
Uniform Object’s New Jewelry Collection Centers on the ‘Carbon Form’The “Carbon Form” collection explores the contrast between high and low materials, using rubber cord alongside 18-karat gold and gemstones.
Events & AwardsApr 13, 2026
JA Accepting 2026 Impact Initiative ApplicationsThe program provides essential funding to organizations for projects that enhance the jewelry industry.
Events & AwardsApr 13, 2026
Couture Announces New Show in MiamiThe jewelry trade show is launching its first open-to-the-public event in Coconut Grove this November.
CrimeApr 13, 2026
JSA Offers Reward in Oregon Jewelry Store Armed RobberyJSA is seeking information about the gunpoint robbery of a Kay Jewelers location in Oregon’s Washington Square Mall.
WatchesApr 10, 2026
These Watches Have Increased in Value the Most Since 2018, Says Chrono24The top-performing watch models may be surprising, with Rolex and several popular pandemic-era picks notably absent from the top 20.
CollectionsApr 10, 2026
Ophelia Eve’s Toggle Pendant Holds Your SecretsThe “Scroll” toggle pendant, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal a hidden message, mantra, or love letter written on washi paper.
ColumnistsApr 09, 2026
Jewelry Demand Isn’t Stronger, Prices Are Just Higher Jewelers who misinterpret the state of the jewelry market risk employing the wrong retail strategy, cautions columnist Sherry Smith.
MajorsApr 09, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Promotes Nathalie Verdeille to SVP, Chief Artistic OfficerIn her newly expanded role, she will continue to oversee the jewelry category, as well as watches, home, and accessories.
WatchesApr 09, 2026
Jacob & Co. Rolls Out Its Sequel to ‘The Godfather’ Musical Watch“The Godfather II” watch plays two melodies from the mob film’s score, “The Godfather’s Waltz” and “The Godfather Love Theme.”
Events & AwardsApr 09, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerOrganizers have also introduced the new JCK Talks Signature Series, as well as an offering of watch-focused workshops and lectures.
SourcingApr 09, 2026
AGA To Honor ‘Quiet Leadership’ With New AwardThe Alan Hodgkinson Medal recognizes gemologists who are consistently generous with their time and expertise.
WatchesApr 09, 2026
Oris Names New CEO, CFOThe Swiss watchmaker is changing up its executive leadership team as part of a restructuring.
