It was a banner day for blue gemstones, with another blue diamond topping $8 million and a 41-carat sapphire going for $2.3 million.
DPA Names New CEO as Lieberherr Exits
Marketing executive David Kellie will assume the role when Lieberherr steps down at the end of the year.
New York—Jean-Marc Lieberherr will step down as CEO of The Diamond Producers Association Dec. 31, the organization announced earlier this month.
His replacement is marketing executive David Kellie.
A Watches of Switzerland and Ralph Lauren alum, Kellie will join the company in December to begin the leadership transition.
“As people search for authentic products with enduring meaning, there are outstanding opportunities to grow consumer demand for diamonds,” said Kellie in a statement, noting the number of women buying their own jewelry and interest from younger consumers.
In a press release, Lieberherr described his exit as an “emotional moment,” but said he was proud of the DPA’s achievements, including its increase in funding.
Lieberherr, the former managing director of Rio Tinto Diamonds, has been CEO since Feb. 2016, per his LinkedIn profile.
DPA Chairman Stephen Lussier said Kellie is “extremely well equipped to lead our marketing teams as we seek to inspire ever more consumers of all ages across the world with the ‘diamond dream.’”
The DPA recently launched “The Diamond Journey,” a new campaign that is part of its effort to promote natural diamonds.
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