MajorsApr 29, 2026
The Thought Process Behind the Mother's Day Email Opt-OutSome retailers are taking a nuanced approach to marketing what can be a difficult holiday for many.
SourcingNov 17, 2020
De Beers Group Shuffles Departments with Focus on Social Responsibility
The diamond company is combining its marketing and sustainable impact teams.
London—De Beers Group is shuffling up some of its key departments in an effort to show the diamond mining and jewelry company is focused on promoting its corporate social responsibility measures.
The London-based diamantaire is combining its “Consumer & Brands” team with its “Corporate Affairs” team into a new group called “Brands & Consumer Markets.”
The new department combines brand marketing with social purpose, De Beers explained, underlining the importance today’s consumer gives to shopping with companies that align with their values.
The Brands & Consumer Markets group will showcase the “beauty of a De Beers diamond and the beauty of its story,” per a press release.
This means a number of De Beers execs find themselves in new roles.
Stephen Lussier, chairman of De Beers Jewellers and chairman of Forevermark, in charge of De Beers’ consumer business long-term vision, sees his previous position as executive vice president of consumer and brands shift into executive vice president of consumer markets.
Lussier remains on the De Beers Group Executive Committee, as does David Prager, previously executive vice president of corporate affairs, who is now executive vice president and chief brand officer at De Beers.
Prager is tasked with De Beers’ marketing, showcasing its sustainability practices and commitment to creating a positive impact for people and the planet under the umbrella of a new program, called “Building Forever.”
Joining Prager in the development of the sustainability initiative, Building Forever, is Katie Fergusson.
Previously, Fergusson was senior vice president of social impact. Now, she is senior vice president of sustainable impact.
Feriel Zerouki, formerly senior vice president of international relations and ethical initiatives, is now senior vice president of corporate affairs.
Feriel and her team will be responsible for creating ethical and sustainable value chains, as well as international relations, industry engagement and corporate and employee communications.
Feriel built De Beers’ “Best Practice Principles,” a pipeline assurance program, as well as GemFair, as part of its efforts to bolster human rights in the artisanal mining community.
Colby Shergalis, former senior vice president of group brand in London and vice president of marketing and communications at Forevermark, is now senior vice president of brand marketing.
Shergalis has created consumer-facing campaigns for De Beers Group and Forevermark, and even “A Diamond is Forever” through her previous agency.
Now, Shergalis will focus on advertising that underscores social responsibility.
Lastly, Martha Velando, who joined De Beers in 2020 as Forevermark CEO, has now been
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
appointed to senior vice president of global marketing.
She will head up the global marketing team emphasizing consumer communication throughout their entire diamond purchasing journey.
Previously, Velando was a senior marketer for companies like Yves Saint Laurent, Lancôme, Kiehl’s and Victoria’s Secret while working for P&G, L’Oreal and Coty.
The executives will work closely with De Beers Jewellers CEO Céline Assimon and Forevermark CEO Nancy Liu.
De Beers Group CEO Bruce Cleaver commented: “As new generations of consumers look to express not just their love, but their values, through the purchases they make for others and the things they buy for themselves, the transformation and appointments we have announced reflect our conviction that compelling and meaningful brands will shape the future of diamonds.
“The combination of Stephen’s unparalleled experience in the diamond industry, Nancy and Céline’s leadership of Forevermark and De Beers Jewellers respectively and our new holistic brand team that will bring together our efforts to protect, lend purpose to and promote our brands under David’s leadership, will deliver purpose-led and growth-focused propositions for our partners.”
She will head up the global marketing team emphasizing consumer communication throughout their entire diamond purchasing journey.
Previously, Velando was a senior marketer for companies like Yves Saint Laurent, Lancôme, Kiehl’s and Victoria’s Secret while working for P&G, L’Oreal and Coty.
The executives will work closely with De Beers Jewellers CEO Céline Assimon and Forevermark CEO Nancy Liu.
De Beers Group CEO Bruce Cleaver commented: “As new generations of consumers look to express not just their love, but their values, through the purchases they make for others and the things they buy for themselves, the transformation and appointments we have announced reflect our conviction that compelling and meaningful brands will shape the future of diamonds.
“The combination of Stephen’s unparalleled experience in the diamond industry, Nancy and Céline’s leadership of Forevermark and De Beers Jewellers respectively and our new holistic brand team that will bring together our efforts to protect, lend purpose to and promote our brands under David’s leadership, will deliver purpose-led and growth-focused propositions for our partners.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
IndependentsApr 29, 2026
Dick Abbott to Retire From The EdgeThe Edge has announced its new CEO, as well as a new partnership with an investment firm focused on founder-led software businesses.
AuctionsApr 29, 2026
This'll Be the Day You Own John Wayne's RingA signet ring belonging to the Western film star of Hollywood’s Golden Age will be up for auction at Elmwood’s next month.
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.
Policies & IssuesApr 28, 2026
Tariff Refunds: How to File, What to Expect Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsApr 28, 2026
This North Carolina Jeweler Is Passing the TorchThe owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
NDC Hires Tapestry Exec to Head Global Marketing Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.
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.
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board ChairThe trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
