Chris Blakeslee has experience at Athleta and Alo Yoga. Kendra Scott will remain on board as executive chair and chief visionary officer.
Gem Nonprofit Taps Industry Leaders for Committee
Gem Legacy, the recently created nonprofit aimed at advocating for East African mining communities, has created a leadership council.
Royal Oak, Mich.—Gem Legacy, the recently created non-profit aimed at advocating for East African mining communities, has created a leadership council.
Rogery Dery, gemstone faceter of the eponymous line, launched Gem Legacy last year to raise money for ad hoc projects to assist East African mining communities, whether through education, vocational training or new equipment.
Last year, Gem Legacy raised $9,500 to give The Precious Women Mine in Mkuki, Kenya—which is entirely run by women—a compressor.
Its latest campaign is to replace equipment at the Arusha Gem Cutting School in its namesake city in Tanzania.
The new leadership council’s aim is to spread Gem Legacy’s message throughout the jewelry industry, creating partnerships and collaborating with various organizations, companies and individuals.
The first members, per a statement from the organization, are Omi Prive’s Niveet Nagpal and Parle Jewelry Designs’ Jonathan and Brecken Farnsworth. The council will expand in the future.
“The launch of the Gem Legacy Leadership Council is an exciting step forward for our industry, for Gem Legacy, and the communities and businesses the organization supports,” said Gem Legacy Advisory Board Member Ben Smithee.
“Omi and Parle represent the beginning of a unified movement to support the communities that serve as the foundation of our industry. Their leadership by example is exactly what we are looking for as members of the Leadership Council, and we are excited to see the continued growth of the council as additional industry leaders express interest!”
For more information, contact info@gemlegacy.org or visit Gem Legacy’s website.
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