THE Gemological Institute of America (GIA) appointed Donna M. Baker to the permanent position of president, effective immediately. Baker had been serving as GIA’s acting president since May 2006 following the resignation of then-president William E. Boyajian. Prior to that, Baker held the office of GIA’s vice president and general counsel since February 2001. “She (Baker) has been an effective member of our senior management team for more than five years and has consistently demonstrated a drive for excellence in all aspects of the GIA experience,” said Helene Fortunoff, the GIA board chairman.

“We screened and interviewed a broad range of very accomplished executives from a variety of fields before reaching our final decision. Our unanimous conclusion was that Donna Baker was the best of the best,” noted GIA chairman Ralph Destino, who chaired the search committee. “Her knowledge of the gem and jewellery industry, and her understanding of the public-benefit, non-profit role that defines GIA’s mission will serve us well going forward,” he added.

Baker holds an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and a JD from the UCLA School of Law. Baker holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola Marymount University, with a triple major in sociology, psychology, and theology. She graduated magna cum laude. She also earned her Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA.