WJA names new executive director

by Samantha Ashenhurst | September 11, 2019 3:37 pm

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Jennifer Markas, a former sustainability reporting manager for Tiffany & Co., has been appointed executive director of the Women’s Jewelry Association[2] (WJA).

Among her accomplishments at Tiffany was the development of a strategy to communicate the brand’s sustainability initiatives—including workplace diversity and inclusion, human rights in the supply chain, and global conservation efforts—to its consumers, investors, and employees.

Additionally, Markas is the founder of Damsels in Design, a networking organization fostering professional and educational opportunities for women in the design industry.

“Jennifer’s passion for women’s issues coupled with an understanding of the jewellery and design industries uniquely prepares her to support our members and partners and lead WJA’s efforts to advance equality and diversity in the fine jewellery and watch industries,” says Jenny Gates Luker, WJA president.

Markas is also the former vice-president of Citi Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Citibank, where she worked on a grants compliance program that distributed funds to various inclusion initiatives, including ones supporting micro-entrepreneurship.

She previously managed finance and operations at several other companies and non-profits, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and architecture firm Thomas Phifer & Partners.

Markas replaces outgoing executive director Bernadette Mack, who will stay on for the transition period until the end of the month.

“We thank Bernadette for her excellent work helming WJA and for her long service to the association,” Luker says. “We wish her well as she embarks on a new life in Virginia,”

The association also announced the relocation of his headquarters from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to New York City.

“We took this opportunity to move WJA’s headquarters back to New York, and to appoint an executive director here,” Luker adds. “We’re delighted Jennifer Markas will be joining us.”

Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/news/wja-names-new-executive-director/

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