DEF Elects GIA’s Anna Martin as President

New York--The Diamond Empowerment Fund’s announced that it has elected Anna Martin as president of its board of directors at the annual board meeting held last month.

Martin is senior vice president of global development and beneficiation for the Gemological Institute of America. 

She succeeds Phyllis Bergman, who served a five-year term and oversaw the organization’s growth to embrace its mission of education empowerment for youth from diamond communities around the world and championing the organization’s consumer messaging strategy, “Diamonds Do Good,” which Martin will continue.

“Never has there been a more important time to communicate to the next generation of diamond purchasers the positive narrative surrounding diamonds.” --Anna Martin

 The DEF also welcomes new board member Stuart Lee, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer of Signet Jewelers Inc.

Lee joins a leadership team that already includes Vice Presidents Ed Hrabak, retiring Signet Jewelers COO who will remain on the board in a personal capacity, and Varda Shine; Secretary Yancy Weinrich, senior vice president of Reed Jewelry Group; and Treasurer Richard Slomovitz, CFO of Rush Communications.

DEF will hold its 2017 Diamonds Do Good awards gala on Sunday, June 4, at the Four Seasons Ballroom in Las Vegas.

“Never has there been a more important time to communicate to the next generation of diamond purchasers the positive narrative surrounding diamonds,” Martin said. “I am confident that with the depth of talent on our board from all across the diamond pipeline, and with the support of every member of the industry, we will impress on consumers that ‘Diamonds Do Good.’”