Shining Stars

2006 Recipients

The WJA Shining Star Awards are a way to give back to our hard-working WJA members. This award is designed to highlight the efforts of WJA members who give so much time to their chapters but might not get recognized on a national level. Each of the 11 chapters chooses its own Shining Star who is awarded with a ticket to the Women in the Know Conference in New York City and up to $500 for airfare and hotel. Here are this year’s award recipients and what their chapters said when recommending them:

Wendy Pratt, Los Angeles Chapter

Wendy Pratt is a seasoned communicator and founder of Pratt Public Relations. She has established a reputation for generating highly effective media attention. Wendy is an experienced, well-connected practitioner with creative writing talents that keep her and her clients in the headlines. She began her career in publishing, including a stint as Director of Literary Affairs for The Walt Disney Company, and now specializes in publicity for consumer products, specifically fine jewelry, watches leather goods, toys and luxury giftware. An East Coast native, Wendy graduated from Wells College with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and later completed courses at UCLA Extension’s Public Relations Program. She also attended Trinity College in Rome, taking courses in Italian Studies. Wendy is a member of several professional groups including, WJA, National Association for Female Executives and Network for Empowering Women. Wendy is the past Vice-President and the current Communications Chair of the Los Angeles Chapter of WJA.

Terry Ianuale, Metropolitan Chapter

Terry began her career 30 years ago at The Zale Corporation, where in over a 14 year period, elevated to the Vice-President of Merchandising for the Fine Jewelers Guild (today known as Bailey Banks & Biddle.) During that period, she was coordinator of new store openings, senior buyer and merchandiser and then Vice-President. She soon took an opportunity with Helene Fortunoff as the senior buyer for Fortunoff Jewelry Stores, where she spent seven years. Later, she moved to Las Vegas where she was responsible for the procurement of all jewelry and related items for all The Mirage Resort Hotels, owned by Stephen Wynn at the time. Terry’s next move took her to M. Fabrikant & Sons where she assumed the position of Vice-President of Merchandising where she resided for four years. She was then approached by Mondera.com and Enjewel where she was instrumental in their e-commerce start-up ventures. In 2001, she formed a consulting company, TMI Enterprises, Inc. to share her knowledge and expertise to both the retail and manufacturing sectors.

Deborah Yonick, Mid-Atlantic Chapter

Deborah started her company, Yonick Writing Co. more than a decade ago and lives by the tagline “Copy with an eye for style”. Deborah is a jewelry writer and publicist with more than 20 years of experience as a professional journalist and newspaper reporter. She has developed a reputation during the past 16 years as a proficient writer, editor, and trends tracker in the jewelry market. In 1996 she ventured out on her own to include in her repertoire publics relations and marketing services for wholesalers, manufacturers, designers, retailers and marketing firms in this area of expertise. Deborah maintains regular bylines in many of the top international jewelry publications. She also pens an online jewelry consumer column at www.thejewelrylady.info. Deborah was one of the founding board members of the Pennsylvania Chapter of WJA, serving as Vice-President of the now expanded Mid-Atlantic Chapter, overseeing Public Relations. She also volunteers her services with the York Rescue Mission and is an active member of the Susquehanna Yacht Club and her local Parent Teacher’s Organization. Today, she is the proud mom of her very own Shining Star, Sam, who is six years old. This year she celebrates her 10 year anniversary with her photojournalist husband, Bill Kalina.

Ruth Thuston, Midwest Chapter

Ruth spent 20 years of her career consulting, singing and counseling before pursuing her passion for jewelry by first studying gemology as a GIA distance student and then selling jewelry in two of Chicago’s finest jewelry stores. Ruth is currently employed at CIRCA, a national jewelry buying company with headquarters in New York where she works as an estate jewelry buyer. Ruth is still actively singing and most recently formed a new board and business plan for Bella Voce, Chicago’s premier chamber choir, in which she has been an ensemble singer for 10 years. Ruth produced two seasons of concert series and raised funds for the group’s continued existence after the group disbanded in 2005. Today, she serves on the WJA Midwest Chapter and the Illinois-Wisconsin Chapter of the GIA Alumni. She helped the chapter host many events including a boat cruise for all the Chicago jewelry associations in 2006 and an Oscar Prediction Party for WJA featuring a private tour of “Dior: The New Look” at the Chicago History Museum. She was honored for her service with a President’s recognition award at the 2006 Membership Celebration.

Lorraine Garvey, New England Chapter

Lorraine has been involved with WJA for the past eight years, first as a New England Chapter Board Member, then as Chapter President from 1999-2005 and currently, is the Chapter Co-President. She has been an active participant in the National Board for many years participating on different committees. Her career began in the jewelry industry in 1994 with Fedra International jewelry wholesaler where she was the National Sales Manager and Administrator. In 1998 Lorraine established Loren Enterprises, a Contemporary Sales and Marketing company to promote sales and marketing to unique companies in the US, Canada and Europe. By the year 2000 Lorraine established and managed the complete operation of Friedrich Stahl Design USA, a German Manufacturer. In her capacity as Vice-President/Treasurer, Lorraine managed the US operation. Her efforts grew the company to its present distribution, including getting exclusive manufacturing for brand name companies and developing programs for mens accessories and ladies ensembles. In 2005 Lorraine again established a US office and sales distribution for Thomas Sabo GMBH, a German Manufacturer, where she resides today as Managing Director. In her spare time, Lorraine serves on various Charity and civic organizations including the American Diabetes Association and the American Cancer Society. She is the mother of two grown children and is a grandmother of three.

Maria Piano, Northern California Chapter

Maria began her career at Bailey Banks & Biddle in Long Island, New York as a bookkeeper. Without any formal training she advanced to the position of Merchandiser for the Gold Jewelry Department. Maria soon took GIA courses to further her Jewelry Industry education and was promoted to Manager. Eventually, she relocated to West Palm Beach, Florida and helped launch two new stores for Bailey Banks & Biddle. Maria was soon offered a District Manager position and relocated to Arizona. Maria decided that it was time to change her corporate lifestyle and began working for a small, independent, jewelry store where she met her husband Geno. Maria ended up accepting her current job with Shreve & Company, where she works today as the Vice-President of Operations. As the Past-President of the Northern California Chapter of WJA and a member for 8 years, Maria enjoys sharing her industry and managerial knowledge with other women in the workplace.

Vanessa Kuykendall, Pacific Northwest Chapter

Vanessa is the Assistant Sales Manager for Tiffany & Company. Prior to joining Tiffany & Co., Vanessa spent several years in the cosmetic industry, most recently with MAC Cosmetics. She serves on the Board of Dress for Success Seattle and is very involved in creating opportunities for low income women in the workforce. Vanessa is also an actress, most recently performing in the charity performance of The Vagina Monologues.

Ruth Batson, Rocky Mountain Chapter

Ruth Batson is the Executive Director and CEO of the American Gem Society, a trade association dedicated to proven ethics, knowledge and consumer protection within the jewelry industry. Her responsibilities include managing the Society’s daily operations to meet strategic goals and initiatives. Ruth brought her experience in association management, business development, strategic planning, leadership and finance to the Society. She has been an integral force in the AGS’s growth and development since joining the organization in 1993. Previously, she held the position of controller and CFO where she was responsible for the financing, design and construction of the Society’s Robert M. Shipley complex. In addition, Ruth acted as a key participant in the development, startup and management of the AGS Laboratories.  Ruth sits on the board of many industry organizations, including Jewelers for Children, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, the JCK Show Advisory Board and the Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices. Ruth makes her home in Las Vegas with her son, Tyler and husband, John.

Kate Donovan, San Diego Chapter

Kate began her career working at her family jeweler where she was introduced to the “jewelry industry”, gemology, quality fine jewelry and various trade shows. She quickly decided that this was her future. In 1989 she earned her Graduate Gemologist Diploma, and has committed herself to continual education in gemology and promoting it to fellow jewelers. Currently, Kate is studying with the highly respected British Gemological Association where she received a Scholarship opportunity. Upon graduation, she will have the esteemed designation as a “FGA” or Fellow, of the Gemological Association of Great Britain. Kate chooses to serve as an elected GIA Alumni Association Board Member since graduation and is currently the President of the San Diego Chapter of GIA Alumni Association. Today, Kate manages The Collector Fine Jewelry, at the Four Seasons Resort located in Carlsbad, CA.

Dana Meyer, San Diego Chapter

Dana started her career in television on the small screen at WVIT in Hartford, CT. She soon pursued paths that would help her develop her skills in feature writing, graphic design, publishing, public relations and advertising. Dana worked in high-technology marketing and communications for five years working with clients such as SONY, Fujitsu and Activision, but decided she wanted a more “brilliant” career. She joined GIA in 2001 where she is today working as GIA’s Marketing Manager. Dana’s responsiblities include developing and implementing campaign strategies to support the Institute’s key initiatives. She manages the department’s print and web-based content and writes many of GIA’s high-profile marketing pieces. Recently, such pieces have included promotion and program material for GIA’s Fourth International Symposium and a brochure for The Allure of Pearls, an exhibit developed exclusively for the Smithsonian Museum. Dana has been on the board of WJA – San Diego for two years and is a proud member.

Jeanie Hord-Bellows, Southwest Chapter

Jeanie Hord-Bellows grew up surrounded by gemstones due to her father’s career in gemology. At age 8 she cabbed her first stone, at age 9 she faceted her first stone and by the age of 10 she was making her own jewelry beads. After High School, Jeanie pursued studies in Finance at Tarleton State University and then began a career in Office Management. It wasn’t until Jeanie turned 29 that she realized she wanted to design and create jewelry. She got involved with the Lone Star GIAAA Chapter and the Southwest WJA Chapter where she maintaines the database and handles communication. She was the first recipient of GIA’s Richard T. Liddicoat Scholarship for Distance Education and was nominated for Colored Stone’s 2007 Reader’s Choice Award. Today, she is the Sales Manager for the Southwest Fine Jewelry Show and will soon become a Graduate Gemologist. In 2002 Jeanie quit her full-time job to stay at home with her children and concentrate on her design business, I Dream of Jewelry, where she sells online and at craft and trade shows. Jeanie and her husband Charles have three children and a granddaughter.

Click here to view the 2005 Shining Stars.