MajorsJul 29, 2022
Jewelers of America Elects 4 New Directors to Board MajorsAug 01, 2022
GIA Appoints First Vice President of Sustainability Programs
Johanna Levy will oversee the environmental, social, and governance programs.
Johanna Levy has joined GIA as the first vice president of environmental, social, and governance programs.
New York—The Gemological Institute of America has created a new role focused on sustainability.
The institute has announced Johanna Levy is the first vice president of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs.
Levy has spent more than a decade meeting and exceeding ESG goals for other companies, GIA said.
Previously, she worked at Firmenich, the largest privately-owned flavor and fragrance company. There, she was the senior director of global environmental excellence. Prior to that, she was the North America director of sustainability.
In these roles, she created company-wide programs, client-facing projects, and collaborations with non-government organizations and ESG risk-rating agencies all dealing with supply chain transparency and net positive impact.
Before that, she worked in either an in-house capacity or as a consultant for brands including Google, Nestle, and the World Gold Council.
Levy also has career experience in marketing and marketing communications.
She has a Master of Liberal Arts in extension studies with a concentration in environmental sciences from Harvard; a Master of Science in sustainability management from Columbia; and a Master’s degree in management from ESCP Europe.
At GIA, Levy will report to Pritesh Patel, senior vice president and chief operation officer. Levy will work with teams across GIA. She will be based in New York.
“Establishing a broad ESG program led by such a talented, experienced and passionate professional will connect our community and business goals, driving positive results for communities, the industry and GIA, and advancing our important consumer-protection mission,” said GIA President and CEO Susan Jacques.
“Johanna’s work successfully managing award-winning ESG strategies and initiatives will move GIA and the industry further on the path to a more sustainable future.”
Levy said, “GIA is in a unique position to advance the development and implementation of programs and practices that will lead to greater transparency and a more sustainable future for the gem and jewelry industry.
“I look forward to helping the institute build on its strong foundation of integrity and trust.”
Related stories will be right here …
The institute has announced Johanna Levy is the first vice president of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs.
Levy has spent more than a decade meeting and exceeding ESG goals for other companies, GIA said.
Previously, she worked at Firmenich, the largest privately-owned flavor and fragrance company. There, she was the senior director of global environmental excellence. Prior to that, she was the North America director of sustainability.
In these roles, she created company-wide programs, client-facing projects, and collaborations with non-government organizations and ESG risk-rating agencies all dealing with supply chain transparency and net positive impact.
Before that, she worked in either an in-house capacity or as a consultant for brands including Google, Nestle, and the World Gold Council.
Levy also has career experience in marketing and marketing communications.
She has a Master of Liberal Arts in extension studies with a concentration in environmental sciences from Harvard; a Master of Science in sustainability management from Columbia; and a Master’s degree in management from ESCP Europe.
At GIA, Levy will report to Pritesh Patel, senior vice president and chief operation officer. Levy will work with teams across GIA. She will be based in New York.
“Establishing a broad ESG program led by such a talented, experienced and passionate professional will connect our community and business goals, driving positive results for communities, the industry and GIA, and advancing our important consumer-protection mission,” said GIA President and CEO Susan Jacques.
“Johanna’s work successfully managing award-winning ESG strategies and initiatives will move GIA and the industry further on the path to a more sustainable future.”
Levy said, “GIA is in a unique position to advance the development and implementation of programs and practices that will lead to greater transparency and a more sustainable future for the gem and jewelry industry.
“I look forward to helping the institute build on its strong foundation of integrity and trust.”
More on Majors
The Latest
Events & AwardsOct 17, 2025
An Edit of Italian Jewels Is Coming to NYCThe new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.
TrendsOct 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Judi Powers Jewelry’s ‘Stella’ EarringsTake a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.
IndependentsOct 17, 2025
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer will celebrate a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
IndependentsOct 16, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Jeffrey Zimmer Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsOct 16, 2025
Sotheby’s Introduces Custom Jewelry ServiceThe new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.
CollectionsOct 16, 2025
Foundrae Adds To ‘United in Love’ CollectionThe brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
IndependentsOct 15, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Kathy CoreyCorey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.
CrimeOct 15, 2025
Men Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences for 2023 Murder of Colorado JewelerCharles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MADThe Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
JCK, Luxury to Debut New Watch Section in Vegas Next YearTimepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.
AuctionsOct 15, 2025
Christie's Announces New Jewelry Department LeadershipThe auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom DixonAs chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper FlaggThe parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent CalendarsThe trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New CharmsKosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.
