Three industry professionals will be honoured at this year’s Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) Awards for Excellence gala.
The association amended its awards system last year with the introduction of the WJA Visionary Awards. This year, two individuals will receive these accolades and a third will take home the Cindy Edelstein Mentorship Award.
“The Visionary Awards’ revamped program was an incredible success for WJA last year and we’re thrilled to continue this new tradition with our truly remarkable honourees in 2019,” said Jenny Luker, WJA board president. “Our Visionary Awards will go to women who have been trailblazers and the driving forces of leadership in their companies, and our Cindy Edelstein Mentorship Award will go to a man who provides exemplary support and mentorship to women.”
Carol Pennelli (president of David Yurman) and Stellene Volandes (editor-in-chief for Town & Country magazine) are set to receive the 2019 Visionary Awards, while the mentorship award will go to Mark Hanna (chief marketing officer of Richline Group).
“WJA congratulates our honourees for their distinguished achievements,” said Bernadette Mack, the association’s executive director. “The elevated event experience we’ve been able to present through the Visionary Awards program runs parallel with the strides WJA is making programmatically for its members. We’re leading the charge for progress in areas that matter most to women in the industry: mentorship, gender equality, financial support through scholarships and grants, and making connections.”
The awards will be presented in New York City on July 29.
