This week, the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) welcomed a new slate of members to its international Board of Directors. 

Seven newcomers have been elected to serve on the WJA Board in 2023. These new members include: Rebecca Boyajian, Director of Business Development at GIA; Monica Elias, CEO of Elias World Media; Rachel Goldflam, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at David Yurman; Lilly Mullen, President and CEO of Springer’s Jewelers; Lotanna Amina Okpukpara, Director and Gemologist of Mina Stones; Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos, Vice President of Code of Origin and Trade Services at De Beers; and Ted Taylor, Director of Individual Giving at Harlem School of the Arts.

Gabrielle Grazi, Vice President of Retail Strategy at Natural Diamond Council has also joined the board as ex-officio in the position of WJA Foundation President.

"By launching an open call for board nominations last fall, we were able to attract more diverse leaders from inside and outside our industry. Our board members are serving the organization at a pivotal time, and we are confident our esteemed board will help WJA continue to advance its fundraising and membership goals, and deliver high-impact programming to the industry in the years to come,” shares Susan Chandler, WJA president through 2023.

Over the past few years, WJA has transformed its member benefits by adding content-rich programming. Last year, for example, the organization organized its Women’s Executive Leadership Forum around Gen-Z research specifically for the jewelry and watch industry. WJA gathered executives to network and consider forward-looking ideas and innovative perspectives to embed into their businesses. Other programs include WJA’s Generating Community Impact diversity education breakfast launched at JCK Vegas in 2022, WJA’s online Masterclasses, and WJA’s nationwide business development program, the Jewelry Loupe Project. WJA board members will be instrumental in developing high caliber events, such as these, to attract and retain members, and to meet the changing needs of the industry.

WJA also honored its outgoing board members who completed their terms: Brandee Dallow Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer at Grandview Klein Diamond Group; Myriam Gumuchian-Schreiber of Gumuchian; Jen Cullen Williams of Jen Cullen Williams Communications + Consulting; and Sara Yood of Jewelers Vigilance Committee.