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Meeting new people and forming meaningful business relationships is the hallmark of the Women's Jewelry Association and its world-wide network of members.  

Event Calendar

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

WJA Metro | Speed Mentoring

Start Date: 5/22/2018 6:00 PM EDT
End Date: 5/22/2018 9:00 PM EDT

Venue Name: GIA GEM Tower

Location:
50 West 47th Street
New York, NY  United States  10036

Organization Name: WJA NY Metro Chapter

Contact:
Hayley Henning
Email: hayleyhenning@gmail.com
Phone: 845-473-7323

Speed Mentoring
WJA Members - $15 | GIA Students - Free


Sharpen your focus and get career suggestions based on your experience and personality. 
You're invited to an exclusive Speed Mentoring Event at GIA New York.

When: Tuesday, May 22nd, 2018 at 6:00pm (first mentoring session starts at 6:20pm sharp!)
Where: GIA Gem Tower, 50 West 47th Street, New York city.

Don't miss this opportunity to meet one-on-one with jewelry professionals in a casual setting to network, ask questions or get guidance on your current or desired career. During the evening, you have the chance to meet with multiple mentors and network!

Registration extended until Monday, May 21 at 3pm. When registering, make sure you fill in all required fields right up to the check-out button in order to get a confirmation of your registration.

You'll be able to meet with two professionals for 20 minute sessions during the evening, and network in between with professionals throughout the night. When you register, you will select the mentors you'll meet with in the "Sessions" tab. Only two mentors per person, one time slot per each mentor. When you register, you will select the mentors you'll meet with in the "Sessions" tab. Only two mentors per person, one time slot per each mentor.

In addition, "Conversation Pits" will take place for all attendees between mentor meetups. These will be lead by Jennifer Heebner, President of WJA NY Metro Chapter, industry journalist, and Executive Director of the Cultured Pearl Assocaition of America, Maria Tsangaropoulos, JMA Instructor at GIA, Tracy Matthews, owner of Tracy Matthews Jewelry, Amanda Gizzi, Director of Public Relations & Special Events at Jewelers of America and Cecilia Echeverri, Marketing & Communications Coordinator at the International Colored Gemstone Association.

MEET THE MENTORS



PEGGY JO DONAHUE
Peggy Jo Donahue is the owner of Donahue Communications, Content Creation and Social Networking. She works with a variety of clients both within and outside the worldwide jewelry and gemstone industries. She previously worked as director of the MJSA Education Foundation, and as public affairs director for both MJSA, the association for jewelry makers and designers, and Jewelers of America. At the latter, she communicated the jewelry industry's proactive response to the Blood Diamond film, the No Dirty Gold campaign, and conflict rubies from Burma. She was also editor in chief of both Professional Jeweler and JCK magazines, where she earned two Neal Awards from American Business Media for her reporting on legal and crime issues. Donahue is the author of five books. Her pro bono work includes: member of the Advisory Group for the Diamond Development Initiative (DDI), a non-profit organization working to improve the lives of artisanal and small scale diamond miners; member of the Advisory Council for Ethical Metalsmiths; member of the Women's Jewelry Association International Board (communications chair); member of the WJA New York Metro Board (social networking communications); member, Jewelers Equality Alliance Board. She also serves as a job coach at the Gemological Institute of America’s Career Fairs.

MYRIAM GUMUCHIAN-SCHREIBER
Myriam Gumuchian-Schreiber serves as the Vice President and Director of Sales at Gumuchian. Alongside her, mother Anita and her sister Patricia work together in New York City to carry on a family legacy that originated over 100 years ago in Istanbul with the sales of exceptional colored stones and fancy diamond imports. In 1979, the Gumuchian brand was created in the US and with Myriam’s experience and expertise in jewelry wholesale sales she has taken the Gumuchian name into the global market. Inspired by their European lineage, the trio saw the need to create a refined collection in order to better serve the American market. From that vision, Gumuchian’s “Designed by Women for Women” mantra was born, setting out to capture the confidence and beauty of all women. This concept is brought to life and perfectly executed by highly-skilled master jewelers in their atelier in Manhattan.

AASHISH SHAH
I am a Certified Gemologist with over 15 years of experience in sales, marketing and client relationship management. Experienced in managing for a wide variety of organizations, from non-profits to an import-export jewelry business.
As a National Sales Manager for Gem International, I was responsible for the oversight of wholesaling of loose gemstones and finished jewelry to over 500 major accounts including designers, chain stores and independent retailers.
I held the position of Business Manager for the American Gem Trade Association Gem Testing Center in New York. Managed the overall administration of the office including vendor co-ordination, travel planning, Association recruiting, training and supervising employees.
Having worked in a managerial capacity for International Colored Gemstone Association, I developed and maintained over 600 association members and planned strategies to improve business and plans for growth.
I also had the honor of working for the American Gem Society as Director of Membership. Under my leadership, our team surpassed targeted membership goals, increased sponsorship, advertising and  Conclave attendance.
Most recently, I served as a retailer liaison for Reed Exhibitions for the JCK and Luxury shows. Identifying and building relationships with reputed retailers throughout the world and ensuring the highest level of trade show experience for them were some of my key duties.
Currently as the Director of Business Development with ASHI Diamonds my role includes marketing and expansion strategy for the company to better service the independent jewelers.
I would like to share my passion for gemstones and jewelry with the next generation of gemologists.

KENDRA BRIDELLE
Kendra Bridelle was born and raised in the jewelry industry, and she has spent the entirety of her professional career honing her passion for jewelry and design. After traveling the country first as a jewelry sales representative for high fashion jewelry brands, then as a regional sales manager for other prestigious, luxury brands, it didn’t take her long to become VP of a high-profile, diamond site-holder brand. 
In 2010 that Kendra realized her long-standing dream of launching her own collection of jewelry, LusciousS; designed to evoke a woman’s changing emotions. In 2010 she was labeled “The Mover and Shaker” on IDEX magazines “She’s the One” cover, along with other notable women in the jewelry industry. Kendra credits her involvement with WJA, where she served as International President from 2010 to 2012, for giving her the opportunity to forge lasting relationships with other women who worked in every facet of the jewelry industry. These personal connections, and the intimate window they gave her into women’s psyches, continue to be a driving force.  
Lusciouss got a national boost when Kendra was offered a spot on a national shopping network in the Fall of 2013 with immediate plans to expand globally through direct television and department stores. She attributes her comfort in front of the camera with her connection to women and her genuine passion for the jewelry she creates. Currently, she is the Sales Director at Freida Rothman.


BEN JANOWSKI
Ben Janowski, owner of Janos Consultants, comes from a New York diamond family that reaches back nearly 100 years to Portugal and Belgium. He has been in the diamond and jewelry industry for his entire career, first in top management positions for major American companies and then, for the last 22 years, as a consultant specializing in strategic planning for the American market. In that capacity he has consulted for dozens of large and small companies. He has often appeared as a guest speaker or panelist at industry gatherings, and has written many articles for a number of trade publications, including a monthly opinion column for JCK Magazine for five years. Currently, he writes a blog at janosconsultants.blogspot.com.  For more information see His web site at www.janosconsultants.com.

BRANDEE DALLOW
Brandee Dallow, Founder/President of Fine Girl Luxury Brand Building & Communications, is an award-winning, marketing, branding, and communications consultant specializing in the luxury goods and fine jewelry sectors. She was previously the Director, North America Representative Office – Diamonds Sales and Marketing for Rio Tinto. Prior to joining Rio Tinto, Dallow was Vice President of Marketing & Communications at the Julius Klein Group, a world-renowned diamond manufacturer, where she held the distinction of being that company’s first female executive. She entered the international jewelry industry in 1999 when she joined the public relations group at J Walter Thompson which serviced De Beers’ Diamond Trading Company. Dallow is the immediate past president of the international board of the Women’s Jewelry Association, from which she received the Award for Excellence in Marketing & Communications (2009), and is a member of the 24 Karat Club of the City of New York.  

ERIK A. JENS
As the Head ABN AMRO Bank Diamond & Jewelry Clients, Erik as professional experience in banking, financing and investments. Specialised in private wealth management solutions, investments in hedge fund, private equity and real estate industry. Held various senior executive positions at Fortis Meespierson in banking and investment services in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands Antilles, Ireland, United Kingdom, USA and Asia. Served as director/advisor to various hedge fund of funds and private equity funds at Fortis which became later ABN AMRO. Strong interest in leading business in a turnaround situation, creating sustainable value. Leader versus a manager, walking the talk. Staff first, then clients, creating happy shareholders in the end. Think different approach. 

ELENA KRIEGNER
Austrian jeweler Elena Kriegner decided that she wanted to be a “jewelry maker” when she was 6 years old and started to make her first creations. By the time she was 12, her schoolmates and neighbors were buying her beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings. She passed the entry exam of a prestigious European Jewelry Design School and started 4 years of training in the craftsmanship of “Goldsmithing.” She graduated as “Goldsmith,” and then added two more years of training and received her degree as “Master Jewelry Maker.”
With her distinct style and her love for technical challenges and versatile ways of changing and moving pieces, Elena knew that she wouldn’t fit into any of the traditional jewelry businesses. She started her own workshop in the Austrian village where she grew up, and created one-of-a-kind signature pieces for private clientele. To perfect her skills, she traveled to South Africa and worked with a gemstone cutter, to Greece where she taught classes in jewelry design—and many trips to New York to integrate her style with fashion.
Elena now lives and works in New York City, where she gets inspired and creates all her designs in her Chelsea studio that she shares with her sister, an internationally renowned graphic designer.

KAREN S. SAMPIERI
Expertise are in gemstones, auction and career development. Karen S. Sampieri, a New York native, began her career at the Gemological Institute of America as a resident student, following her undergraduate studies in Social Science at Hofstra University. In 1995, Karen joined Christie’s and, within two years, was promoted to head cataloger for Christie’s jewelry department. She was responsible for cataloging all Fine and Magnificent auctions, which contained some of the world’s finest jewelry and rarest of gemstones. In 1999, Karen accepted a position at Tiffany & Company, where she worked for 13 years, rising to Senior Colored Gemstone Buyer. After leaving Tiffany & Co., Karen returned to the fast-paced world of auction as the Director of Jewelry in the New York office of Heritage Auctions,the world’s third-largest auction house. There, she oversaw the day-to-day jewelry operations of the company’s East Coast branch. After a short stint as Director of Procurement at the renowned vintage jeweler Fred Leighton, she spent time as a Senior Buyer at Harry Winston. Karen has procured some of the world’s most sought-after colored gemstones and is regarded as a top gemstone expert. She currently splits her time between New York and LA and is exploring her next adventure in the gemstone and jewelry industry. Karen is an active board member of the Women’s Jewelry Association, Metro Chapter. She has held may board positions including Co-President and currently she serves as an Adviser. Karen is a GIA Alumni member and sits on the school’s Program Advisory Committee. She also is a member of the American Society of Jewelry Historians and  the New York Jewelers Club.

MICHELLE ORMAN
A deep understanding of branding and a driving interest in fashion and culture combine to create Michelle Orman’s innovative and successful approach to public relations and brand building. As an entrepreneur with more than 15 years experience, Orman brings fresh solutions to each of her client’s portfolios. Orman, president of Last Word Communications and former president and founder of Lüp, became an entrepreneur in 2002 to offer clients direct access to her talent and strategies in public relations, brand building, event planning and conference development. Orman has an insatiable appetite for fashion and celebrity, habitually consuming relevant magazines and visiting pop culture blogs. However, while Orman may have a discriminating eye for fashion, she also possesses discerning taste in literature; she is just as likely to read Shakespeare or the romance poets as she is to peruse Vogue or InStyle. These diverse interests allow Orman to help clients determine the best online outlets for their product. She helps develop cross-promotional tie-ins and search engine optimization strategies for the brands she works with, and she creates blogs and does social networking online for a number of diverse clients. In addition, Orman has a network of contacts throughout the consumer and trade print media that puts her in a unique position to advance her clients’ products and brand identity in conventional media as well. In addition to her work at Last Word Communications, Orman serves on the International Board for the Women’s Jewelry Association. A child of a large family, Orman is dedicated to her family and spends as much time as she can with her 4 nieces and 2 nephews.

APRIL SCORCIA
April Scorcia Vice President of Gem Star, Imports.  Gem Star, Imports is a Bridal and Fashion establishment catering to the Independent Jewelers throughout North America and the Caribbean.  
April is a jewelry veteran in the industry for 35+ years concentrating in Strategic Planning & Business Development with a focus on Brand Growth & Management.  April is Expertly Versed in Product Engineering, Product Development & Merchandising.  April is fully skilled in the Marketing of the products she creates through to Sales & Analysis.  April has worked for major industry leaders as well as small firms.  She has the knowledge and ability to work in varied environments.  Some of her past experiences include – VP of Product Development  Zale Corporation, VP M. Fabrikant & Sons, EVP Helen Andrews,  EVP the Colibri group, VP World Trade Jewelers. 

SUSAN KILKENNY
Susan is a sales and marketing entrepreneur who works with early-stage and transforming companies in the media, tech and luxury sectors. Susan has a keen ability to scale growth and revenue, usually in the $0-$12M range by identifying market needs, creating process and running successful sales, partnership and marketing teams, under lean circumstances. From the relaunch of domino.com, to building the luxury retail division of data and analytics company WealthEngine.com and most recently joining the Maxim brand/Maxim.com as SVP Sales & Marketing, Susan specializes in identifying and structuring strategic partnerships and connecting brands with innovative solutions and targeted audiences designed to generate sales, awareness and other forms of ROI.
Susan's career began as an advertising exec in media covering the luxury, jewelry and watch categories for publications including Vogue, WWD, Interview to eventually launching her own consulting business working with clients such as IMG and Harry Winston. 
Susan has conceptualized and executed numerous successful programs generating millions of dollars in revenue for organizations across the luxury landscape and across the globe.
Today, she's passionate about building successful businesses by connecting the dots between content, commerce, consumers and creativity in meaningful ways.
 

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Registration is Closed
Closed: 5/21/2018 3:00 PM

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