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.

2016_WJA-Logo.jpg

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.

The Latest

Claire’s storefront
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 Stores

The retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.

Target CEO Brian Cornell and COO Michael Fiddelke
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag

Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.

Jewelers of America in Washington DC
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC

The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.

japac-btyb.png
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key Issues

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Tiffany & Co. Pop Up at U.S. Open
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US Open

The pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.

Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Bellman’s Jewelers The Truthful Jeweler Alex Bellman
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes Off

The New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”

Stock image of police cars with lights flashing
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, Robbed

The latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Oris New York Harbor Limited Edition II Watch
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster Restoration

The new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.

Lulo Rose pink diamond
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner Lucapa

The investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.

National Jeweler columnist and jewelry sales expert Peter Smith
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry Retail

Smith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.

Fake Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra earrings
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ Earrings

The counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.

MJSA Logo
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally Recognized

The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Masaki Obu
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division Manager

Casio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.

Michael Barabash and husband Raymond Cuadrado
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58

Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.

John Hardy Dot Coil Necklace and Dot Hoop Earrings
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on Point

Originally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.

Image of Winona Ryder and Iman from Pandora’s Be Love marketing campaign
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans

The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.

Taylor Swift Etho Maria ruby earrings The Life of a Showgirl TS12
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings

Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.

Audemars Piguet Starwheel Watch
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in Manufacturer

Its investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.

Nicolette Bianchi
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing Director

Nicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.

Pippa Small Myanmar Fish Cluster
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’

Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.

Casio America CEO Yusuke Suzuki
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEO

Longtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.

LA Trading Day
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LA

The full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Stephanie Gottlieb Ring
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut Diamond

Model Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.

International Colored Gemstone Association logo
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of Directors

The board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.

Whiskey Barrel Ring
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring Giveaway

Three winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.

People shopping in a mall
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRF

JD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy