Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has appointed a veteran of financial services to the jewellery industry as its senior vice-president of global development.
Anna Martin, previously managing director and head of global marketing, diamonds and jewellery, at Standard Chartered Bank, begins her new position at GIA on Sept. 2 and will be based in New York City. She reports to Susan Jacques, GIA’s president and chief executive officer (CEO).
“Anna Martin brings invaluable and unique expertise and experience that will help us continue to focus on ensuring consumer trust in gems and jewellery,” Jacques said.
“Anna will help build our capabilities as a global organization, as we work to deepen our research program, expand laboratory capacity, and bring gemmological education to more people around the world.”
Martin served on GIA’s board of governors from 1997 to 2011 and is considered one of the most well-known and recognized figures in the gem and jewellery industry. At Standard Chartered Bank (and previously at ABN AMRO bank), she significantly expanded the availability and delivery of financial products and services to the global trade. Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards and she has served on the boards of many industry organizations.
“I am very excited to join GIA to help build on its history of excellence in research, education, and laboratory services,” Martin said. “There are so many opportunities for the gem and jewellery industry to do good in the world. I look forward to working with my new colleagues at GIA to seize these opportunities.”
Martin has more than four decades in banking serving the gem and jewellery industry. She will be responsible for broadening and deepening GIA’s relationships with clients and stakeholders and overseeing the organization’s global beneficiation efforts.
In other news, GIA also announced the appointment of Rohit Tandon as its chief human resources officer. He joins GIA from the non-profit AIDS Healthcare Foundation where, as a member of senior management, he oversaw programs in 34 countries with an annual budget of $1 billion to treat more than 300,000 patients. Tandon reports to GIA’s corporate counsel, Jennifer Wilson, and will be based in Carlsbad, Calif., beginning Aug. 18.
In addition, key senior GIA executives received promotions reflecting their expanded responsibilities. Chief learning officer (CLO) Bev Hori, chief marketing officer (CMO) Kathryn Kimmel, and chief financial officer (CFO) David Tearle have all been named senior vice-presidents. Corporate counsel Jennifer Wilson has been promoted to vice-president and was elected corporate secretary at the May 2014 board of governors meeting.
