Start Date: 10/26/2021 6:30 PM EDT
End Date: 10/26/2021 8:00 PM EDT
Venue Name: Zoom
Organization Name:
WJA NY Metro
Contact:
WJA NY Metro | How to Get the Most From Your Work With a Mentor
Join WJA Metro’s Mentorship and Professional Development Committee for a virtual discussion on how mentees can maximize their relationships with mentors in a way that is beneficial to both.
Host
Michelle Graff
Michelle Graff joined National Jeweler in 2007 as senior editor, diamonds, traveling to Israel, Africa, Dubai and Belgium to learn about the jewelry industry and cover the diamond trade. In August 2013, she was promoted to editor-in-chief. As the publication’s head editor, she is in charge of NationalJeweler.com and its popular daily newsletter as well as the publication’s print editions, The State of the Majors, and the Retailer Hall of Fame.
Mentors
Michelle Benjamin
Michele Benjamin is a New York-based Artist & Designer who creates Jewelry in Sterling Silver and 18K Gold Vermeil Collections. Her nature-inspired and activist jewelry is associated with cultural institutions, the fashion industry, and social causes such as women's empowerment, animal conservation, sustainability, and educating youth. Michele Benjamin Jewelry collections are certified: “Made in New York” through the New York Economic Development Corporation. Her “Key to the City” necklace and “Liberty” pin designs were commissioned by New York City Store, located in Downtown Manhattan at City Hall. In June 2019, Michele Benjamin served as “Arts Envoy” on behalf of the U.S. State Department, teaching jewelry, art, and women’s entrepreneurship skills to promote Women's Empowerment in Cambodia, and Wildlife Conservation in Laos. In November 2019, Michele Benjamin received a Global NY STEP grant from New York State Economic Development Corp. for travel to Dubai, UAE including Gold Key Service from the US Department of Commerce, in order to promote "Made in New York" products overseas. Her collections are offered in art galleries, cultural institutions, and boutiques in the U.S., and online nationally and internationally, including her iconic Bee design seen at Whitney Museum of American Art, Bruce Museum Store, New York Fashion Week (NYFW), and on Amazon.com Michele Benjamin’s love of fine art and the natural environment inspire the concept and creation of her artistic life forms, including bees, butterflies, angelfish, hummingbirds, tortoises, dragonflies, starfish, seahorses, and more. Michele Benjamin earned a BA in Art History from Arizona State University, completed post-graduate studies at Parsons School of Design, and specialized Jewelry Design courses at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), including fabrication techniques, lost wax, and professional jewelry production methods.
Peggy Jo Donahue
Peggy Jo Donahue provides editing, writing, blogging, website content creation, and social networking services to magazines, retailers, designers, miners, associations, and other institutions. Donahue is the former editor-in-chief of both Professional Jeweler and JCK magazines. She was also public affairs director for both Jewelers of America and MJSA, the association for jewelry makers and designers. She directed the MJSA Education Foundation, where she co-created the BeAJeweler initiative with Blaine Lewis of New Approach School for Jewelers, to attract newcomers to the jewelry-making field. She is the author of five books. Donahue is on the board of Gem Legacy, a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to supporting vocational training, entrepreneurship, and community development in East African colored gemstone mining regions. Donahue served for seven years as the WJA International Board communications chair, and 11 years as a member of the advisory board of Ethical Metalsmiths and the Diamond Development Initiative (DDI), a non-profit organization working to improve the lives of artisanal and small-scale diamond miners. She also serves as a career coach at the GIA Career Fairs. She received the WJA Cindy Edelstein Mentorship Award in 2017.
Christina Malle
Christina Malle is an independent designer and goldsmith, creating fine jewelry under her name in New York City. The elegant, everyday jewelry is hand-fabricated or hand-finished and is made of solid 18 karat gold, which is recycled or Fairmined. A former human rights attorney, Christina is heartened to see the jewelry industry tackle transparency and traceability in its very complex supply chain. Christina is a Graduate Gemologist of the Gemological Institute of America; she earned her JD at New York University School of Law and her BA from Dartmouth College. She serves on the Events Committee of the Metro NYC Chapter of the Women’s Jewelry Association and on the Board of Directors of Ethical Metalsmiths.
Nancy Ross
Nancy Ross is a jewelry image/stylist and marketing consultant combining over three decades of experience as an educator, communicator, and marketing professional. She is an Associate Adjunct Professor / Career Counselor at The Fashion Institute of Technology where she primarily counsels students in Marketing Communication and Jewelry Design. She has created and conducted educational programs including Professional Panache and the Business of Jewelry, served as a moderator at the JCK Annual Conference, and was a repeat presenter at the Annual National Antique Jewelry and Art Conference. Currently, she is the originator and host/moderator of the JDPN bi-weekly Jewelry Talks with Nancy Ross As a strategist, she creates core positioning/image development with results-driven solutions for people, programs, products, and companies transitioning to new futures. As a stylist, her specialty is helping her clients strengthen their presence and define their own personal style accented with choice period jewelry and accessories. Since the onset of the pandemic, her focus with clients has been on virtual image innovation and mastery. Her affiliations include: WJA, Board Member, JDPN Advisor to the Board, ASJH, ASJRA, The Deco Society, CDSN, Mnyccpoa, and the Fashion Group International memberships.