Events & Awards

WJA Names its ‘Shining Stars’ for 2016

Events & AwardsMar 03, 2016

WJA Names its ‘Shining Stars’ for 2016

The 12 honorees will be recognized at the association’s annual In the Spotlight event, slated for March 10 in New York.

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New York--The Women’s Jewelry Association has named its Shining Stars for 2016, those regional members who have given extraordinary service to their respective chapters over the past year.

The 12 honorees will be recognized at the WJA’s annual In the Spotlight event, scheduled for March 10 at Convene in New York, immediately following the In the Know conference.

Below are the WJA’s Shining Stars for 2016, listed alphabetically by chapter.

Martha Seely serves as co-chair of the events committee for the Boston chapter, and also is the designer behind her eponymous fine jewelry brand. She has studied with master jewelers exploring and refining various jewelry-making techniques, and her work has been carried in galleries and at various retail events and venues.

Rebecca Hinrichs Reynoso is a photographer specializing in fine jewelry and a member of the Chicago chapter. She launched her photography company A.Ver.Foto in 2015, and now has a studio on Chicago’s Jewelers Row.

Jackie Brooks chairs the scholarship committee for the WJA Colorado chapter. She works for her family’s advertising business, Bottom Line Marketing, where she oversees the jewelry division and creative department.

Robert Loving from the Dallas chapter is the vice president of sales at Time Delay Corp., a family business he has been involved with since 1991.

Sabrina Bindra is the director of sales and marketing at B&B Fine Gems and co-president of the Los Angeles chapter. A graduate gemologist and accredited jewelry professional, she also is a member of the 24 Karat Club of Southern California, the GIA Alumni Association and the Indian Diamond and Colorstone Association.

JCK magazine’s Market Editor Jennifer Heebner is the president-elect of the New York Metro chapter. An award-winning journalist, she writes about jewelry industry-specific business issues as they relate to retailers.

Sarah Thomas is an active board member of the Northern California chapter and works with Jahan Diamonds on the Square in San Francisco. A graduate gemologist, Thomas focuses her WJA efforts on special events and improving the member experience.

Meg Carroll chairs publicity and communications for the Ohio/Kentucky chapter. She is a Fashion Institute of Technology graduate and opened her own store, Meg C Jewelry Gallery, in 2012 in downtown Lexington.

Maureen Murphy is secretary of the Providence chapter and works for precious metals findings company Lee’s Manufacturing.

Pheap Lorn-Canossi of Phenomenon Jewels serves as the San Diego chapter’s secretary and public relations chair. She has her Graduate Diamonds and

Jewelry & Design Technology diplomas from the GIA, and recently received a Gemmy Award from the Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist.

Jessica Neiwert is the founder of the Seattle chapter, and currently serves as past president and vice president. She also is a fine jewelry designer and freelances in graphic design, photography and illustration.

Carol Brady handles membership and social media for the Twin Cities chapter and also serves on the board of the Minnesota/North Dakota Jewelers Association.

“Congratulations to WJA’s dedicated volunteers, who give their precious time to help women in the jewelry and watch industries advance and develop professionally through networking, education and leadership development,” WJA President Brandee Dallow said. “These individuals embody WJA’s mission and we look forward to honoring them.”

To purchase tickets for the In the Spotlight event, visit the WJA website.

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