D.E.F. appoints seniors at Chow Tai Fook and De Beers, to its Board of Directors

The Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.) has appointed two industry leaders to its board of directors - David Prager, Head of Corporate Affairs for the De Beers Group of Companies, and Kent Wong Siu Kee, Managing Director of Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited.

David Prager lends D.E.F his insight into the expectations of consumers and the corresponding pressures on production. His work across geographies and with a diverse set of stakeholders that includes civil society, media and governments will support D.E.F in expanding its ‘diamonds do good’ mission to global communities.

Prager noted that diamonds being finite push us to ‘ensure we are using them to add value to the communities we work in, the infrastructure we rely on, and the colleagues we work with.’ He further added that, “Since its founding, D.E.F has helped the industry shine a light on the positive role diamonds play in the journey from mine to finger – enabling consumers to be proud of the diamonds they own.”

Kent Wong will enable D.E.F’s worldwide representation expand to the important, and growing, diamond and jewelry sector in Hong Kong and Mainland China. A veteran with substantial experience in both operations and management in the jewelry industry, Wong was named one of the “25 Influential Chinese in Global Fashion” by world-renowned business magazine Forbes in 2012. Wong is also an active leader across Hong Kong and mainland China’s industry associations and supports the mission of D.E.F. “As a vertically integrated jewelry retailer that is active in all aspects of the diamond and jewelry supply chain, we understand the importance of supporting communities along the diamond’s journey. I am eager to help further extend D.E.F’s mission and communicate to consumers around the world these good works,“ he said.

Phyllis Bergman, president of the D.E.F. board of directors and CEO of Mercury Ring, expressed an enthusiasm over the global diversity of D.E.F’s board. “With the addition of David and Kent on our board, D.E.F is truly representative of the global diamond and jewelry industry.”