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.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
PodcastsApr 15, 2026
Episode 4: The Natural Diamond DilemmaSally Morrison and Mark Klein discuss De Beers’ first beacon in 16 years and the mistake the industry made with lab-grown diamonds.
MajorsApr 15, 2026
Spark Creations’ Randy McKenzie Dies at 72 McKenzie spent 45 years with Spark Creations and is remembered for being kind, dedicated, and hardworking.
WatchesApr 15, 2026
These Are the New Rolex Watches for 2026Rolex focused exclusively on the Oyster Perpetual this year, as the model is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
