Poughkeepsie, NY--Across nine categories, 33 individuals have a chance of nabbing a Women’s Jewelry Association Award for Excellence next month.
The Women’s Jewelry Association released its list of potential winners Monday. Earlier this year, WJA members and jewelry industry professionals were able to nominate their colleagues through an open, online submission process.
The pool was whittled down by a committee of past winners, headed by jewelry editor and former winner of an Award for Excellence in the Media Excellence category, Jennifer Heebner. This year, the committee honed and refined its criteria for selecting the final nominees.
"An eligible nominee must have a reputation for integrity, honesty, high ethical standards, and credibility, according to the new WJA Awards for Excellence criteria," Heebner explained. "She also must devote time and effort to help women in the jewelry industry excel."
The committee will go on to select the winner of each category, which will be announced live at the WJA Awards for Excellence gala on July 24 in New York at Chelsea Piers, Pier 60.
Here are the 2017 nominees:
Design
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Wendy Brandes, owner/president, Wendy Brandes Jewelry20170620 WJA 1 1wendy
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Deirdre Featherstone, founder, Featherstone Fine Jewelry20170620 WJA 1b
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Annie Koenig, president, Annie K. Jewelry20170620 WJA 1c
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Pippa Small, owner, Pippa Small20170620 WJA 1d
Wendy Brandes, owner/president, Wendy Brandes Jewelry
Deirdre Featherstone, founder, Featherstone Fine Jewelry
Annie Koenig, president, Annie K. Jewelry
Pippa Small, owner, Pippa Small
Manufacturer, Dealer, Supplier
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Maureen Murphy, group director of customer service, Lee's Manufacturing20170620 WJA 2a
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Betty Sue King, owner, King's Ransom20170620 WJA 2b
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Gabriella Harvey, director of procurement and product services, Gemfields20170620 WJA 2c
Maureen Murphy, group director of customer service, Lee's Manufacturing
Betty Sue King, owner, King's Ransom
Gabriella Harvey, director of procurement and product services, Gemfields
Merchandising and Product Development
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Anna Samsonova, assistant fashion buyer, Ben Bridge Jeweler20170620 WJA 3a
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Nan Lung Palmer, owner and managing director, FACEts Jewelry Consulting20170620 WJA 3b
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Laura Klemt, president, Artistry, Ltd20170620 WJA 3c
Anna Samsonova, assistant fashion buyer, Ben Bridge Jeweler
Nan Lung Palmer, owner and managing director, FACEts Jewelry Consulting
Laura Klemt, president, Artistry, Ltd
Business Services
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Pat Henneberry, vice president of learning and development, Hearts On Fire20170620 WJA 4a
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Jo-Ann Sperano, paralegal/mediation specialist, Jewelers Vigilance Committee20170620 WJA 4b
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Judith Shechter, director of global business development, Gemological Institute of America20170620 WJA 4c
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Rachel Jackson, vice president of client solutions, ERCBPO, and former director of jewelry, XO Group20170620 WJA 4d
Pat Henneberry, vice president of learning and development, Hearts On Fire
Jo-Ann Sperano, paralegal/mediation specialist, Jewelers Vigilance Committee
Judith Shechter, director of global business development, Gemological Institute of America
Rachel Jackson, vice president of client solutions, ERCBPO, and former director of jewelry, XO Group
Large-Scale Retail
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Carol Pennelli, president and chief commercial officer, David Yurman20170620 WJA 5a
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Judy Fisher, senior vice president of merchandising, Signet Jewelers20170620 WJA 5b
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Lisa Bridge, vice president of education, and designer, Ben Bridge Jeweler20170620 WJA 5c
Carol Pennelli, president and chief commercial officer, David Yurman
Judy Fisher, senior vice president of merchandising, Signet Jewelers
Lisa Bridge, vice president of education, and designer, Ben Bridge Jeweler
Independent Retail
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Alexis Padis, director of operations, Padis Jewelry20170620 WJA 5b1
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Jan Rose, owner, Rose Jewelers20170620 WJA 5b2
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Tara Silberberg, owner, The Clay Pot20170620 WJA 5b3
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Melissa Quick, president, Steve Quick Jeweler20170620 WJA 5b4
Alexis Padis, director of operations, Padis Jewelry
Jan Rose, owner, Rose Jewelers
Tara Silberberg, owner, The Clay Pot
Melissa Quick, president, Steve Quick Jeweler
Open-Format Retail
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Nadine Kahane, founder & CEO, Stone & Strand20170620 WJA 5c1
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Beth Gerstein, co-CEO, Brilliant Earth20170620 WJA 5c2
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Sophie Kahn & Bouchra Ezzahraoui, co-founders, AUrate New York20170620 WJA 5c3
Nadine Kahane, founder & CEO, Stone & Strand
Beth Gerstein, co-CEO, Brilliant Earth
Sophie Kahn & Bouchra Ezzahraoui, co-founders, AUrate New York
Marketing and Communications
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Olga González, CEO/founder, Pietra PR20170620 WJA 6a
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Donna Jolly, director of marketing, American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories20170620 WJA 6b
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Megan Whitmire, marketing manager, American Gem Trade Association20170620 WJA 6c
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Monica Elias, CEO, Elias World Media20170620 WJA 6d
Olga González, CEO/founder, Pietra PR
Donna Jolly, director of marketing, American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories
Megan Whitmire, marketing manager, American Gem Trade Association
Monica Elias, CEO, Elias World Media
Editorial
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Brecken Branstrator, senior editor, National Jeweler20170620 WJA 7b
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Eileen McClelland, managing editor, InStore magazine20170620 WJA 7a
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Barbara Palumbo, founder/editor-in-chief, Adornmentality20170620 WJA 7c
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Severine Ferrari, editor in chief, Engagement 10120170620 WJA 7d
Brecken Branstrator, senior editor, National Jeweler
Eileen McClelland, managing editor, InStore magazine
Barbara Palumbo, founder/editor-in-chief, Adornmentality
Severine Ferrari, editor in chief, Engagement 101
President of WJA, Brandee Dallow, commented "WJA congratulates our 2017 WJA Awards for Excellence nominees, each of whom has demonstrated significant achievements throughout their careers. We look forward to applauding our honorees and nominees at the WJA Awards for Excellence gala on July 24."
In addition to the nine awards being given out at the Awards for Excellence gala, three other awards will be given to industry heavyweights for their contributions over the years.
As previously announced, Cecilia Gardner, president, CEO, and general counsel of Jewelers Vigilance Committee, will receive the WJA Lifetime Achievement Award. Michael Pollak, CEO of Hyde Park Jewelers, will receive the Ben Kaiser Award. Day's Jewelers will receive this year’s WJA Corporate Award.
Besides honoring industry leaders, the gala’s purpose is to raise funds to go toward WJA scholarships for women in the jewelry industry. A silent auction and raffle at the gala will aid this pursuit.
"The Awards for Excellence Gala is our prime opportunity to raise funds for our scholarship and grants program," said WJA Executive Director Bernadette Mack. "We are grateful to all of our honorees, nominees, attendees, and sponsors for their dedication in participating in this event, to invest in the new women entrepreneurs, veterans, and students who win our grants and scholarships. Last year, the WJA Awards for Excellence Gala raised $40,000 for these cash awards. Our goal is to top that amount in 2017."
Those interested in sponsorship opportunities this year may contact Mack at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or obtain additional information on the WJA website.
Gala tickets may also be purchased on the site.
