Before Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
Women’s Jewelry Association Appoints New Executive Director
The organization also announced its headquarters have moved to New York City.

New York—The Women’s Jewelry Association has appointed Jennifer Markas as its new executive director, the organization announced earlier this month.
Markas hails from Tiffany & Co., previously serving as its sustainability reporting manager, her LinkedIn profile shows.
While with the company, she helped organize its first employee resource group for women.
Prior to that, Markas served as vice president of Citi Foundation, the charitable branch of Citibank, and has also worked in finance-related positions at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and architecture firm Thomas Phifer & Partners.
Markas is the founder of “Damsels in Design,” an organization that supports women in the design industry via professional and educational opportunities.
She is also a board member of Manhattan Community Board 7, which serves the Upper West Side neighborhood.
Markas has a Bachelor of Science degree in business management and finance from Boston University and a Master of Arts in decorative arts and design history from Parsons School of Design at The New School in New York City.
Outgoing executive director Bernadette Mack stepped down effective today (Sept. 10) but will assist with the transition until the end of the month.
“Serving the members of the WJA for these many years has been a unique and valuable experience for me, though I am thrilled to be embarking on a new professional journey. I’m confident that the organization will continue to grow and flourish in this next stage of its evolution,” Mack said in an email to National Jeweler Monday.
The organization also announced it will move its headquarters to New York City, relocating to Park Avenue.
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