Women's Jewelry Association Names New President

RAPAPORT... The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) has chosen Susan Chandler, the chief merchandising officer for Citizen Watch America, as president-elect of its international board of directors.In her role at WJA, Chandler will help foster community, connection and collaboration within the trade, the association said Wednesday. Last year, she served as the WJA sponsorship chair, and was instrumental in raising money for the organization and securing keynote speakers for the WJA's events."We believe that Susan's strong leadership experience will not only contribute to the future growth and vibrancy of WJA, but will also inspire greater community and connection centered around women working and leading in the jewelry industry as a whole," said WJA president Jacqueline Cassaway. "Susan's connections inside and outside the industry will allow for further-reaching collaborations and partnerships in the future."The international board of directors has also appointed three new members: Beth Gerstein, CEO of Brilliant Earth; Raquel Alonso-Perez, curator of the Mineralogical and Geological Museum at Harvard University; and Matthew Tratner, director of global business development at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).Image: Susan Chandler. (Women's Jewelry Association)