Canadian Catherine Sproule is among the nominees for the Women’s Jewelry Association’s (WJA’s) 2014 Awards for Excellence.
Sproule, who is chief operations officer (COO) for the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) and currently serves as its interim chief executive officer (CEO), was nominated in the ‘Special Services’ category.
“I have had a longstanding respect for the mission of the WJA and was thrilled with the news of the nomination,” Sproule tells Jewellery Business.
“The jewellery industry benefits from the WJA’s work to ensure that women are continually attracted to our industry and can advance their careers through mentorship and networking.
As a Canadian working with a global trade group, it is very validating to have one’s work recognized by such an influential organization like the WJA.”
Sproule served previously as executive director of the Canadian Jewellers Association (CJA) and was the Canadian public relations director for the Diamond Trading Company’s (DTC’s) Diamond Information Centre.
For the first time in the awards’ history, winners will be announced at the annual Awards for Excellence gala on July 28 at Pier 60 on the Chelsea Piers in New York City.
“WJA wanted to create more of an element of surprise at our annual gathering,” said association president Andrea Hansen. “We also wanted to ensure all nominees were recognized and acknowledged as ‘winners’ in their own right. It really is an honour just to be nominated.”
WJA will also present three honorees with awards at the gala:
• Ruth Batson, executive director and CEO of the American Gem Society (AGS) and AGS Laboratories, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award;
• David J. Bonaparte, president and CEO of Jewelers of America (JA), will receive the Ben Kaiser Lifetime Achievement Award; and
• Richline Group will receive the Corporate Award.
The following is a full list of the nominees:
Category I – Design
Emily Armenta – Emily Armenta
Heather Moore – Heather Moore
Monica Rich Kosann – Monica Rich Kosann
Category II – Manufacturer/Dealer/Supplier
Aida Fronjian – True Knots
Teresa Frye – Techform
Chana Regev – Carelle
Laurie Watt – Mayer & Watt
Category IIIa – Retail – 15 doors or more
Kim Adams – Reeds
Jan Steck – Helzberg
Category IIIb – Retail – Fewer than 15 doors
Cathy Calhoun – Calhoun Jewelers
Sara & Rachel Read – Lee Read Jewelers
Stacy Sullivan – Levy Jewelers
Category IIIc – Non-Traditional Retail
Amy Jain/Daniella Yacobovsky – BaubleBar
Hillary Lambert – Sundance
Nadine McCarthy Kahane – Stone and Strand
Jennifer Peck – Amazon
Category IV – Sales
Amy Jackson – Fragments
Rachel Jackson – The Knot
Jennifer Shanker – MUSE Showroom
Category V – Marketing & Communications
Ginnina D’Orazio – D’Orazio & Associates
Randi Molofsky – Gemfields
Fran Pennella – Benali Consulting
Category VI – Editorial Media
Severine Ferrari – Engagement 101
Michelle Graff – National Jeweler
Karla Martinez de Sales – W Magazine
Monica Stephenson – iDazzle
Category VII – Special Services
Desiree Hansen – JCK
Marlene Richey – Marlene Richey
Catherine Sproule – Responsible Jewellery Council
Category VIII – Watches
Rosanna Doherty – Cartier
Michelle Peranteau – Baume & Mercier
Annie Sommer – Breitling
