The Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC) has appointed Brad Brooks-Rubin (pictured), who has examined industry issues working for trade groups and the U.S. government, as strategic adviser and North American lead.
Based in Washington, D.C., Brooks-Rubin will be responsible for advancing policy and deepening connections between international policy makers, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and RJC member companies.
Brooks-Rubin will also continue in his current role at the Sentry, an investigative and policy team, cofounded by George Clooney and John Prendergast, that focuses on preventing war in central and East Africa.
He was previously director of global development and beneficiation at the GIA, and served as special adviser for conflict diamonds with the U.S. Department of State. He has also worked as an attorney adviser for the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Brooks-Rubin tells JCK his two main goals will be to get more companies to join RJC and to further engage with other stakeholders, including those in the government and the NGO sector.
RJC’s previous North American lead was Brandee Dallow, who now works as vice president of sustainability for luxury goods for SCS Global Services, the certification company.
Brooks-Rubin is a recipient of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee’s Stanley Schechter Award. He holds a Doctor of Law (JD) degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis.
RJC executive director Iris Van der Veken said in a statement that Brooks-Rubin “is highly regarded for his multi-stakeholder expertise and has a proven track record of successfully connecting policy makers, NGOs, industry, and the broader community.”
David Bouffard, the group’s chair and vice president of corporate affairs for Signet Jewelers, said in the same statement, “Brad represents the caliber of expertise and action that the RJC will support in this era of sustainable development. His experience in responsible sourcing and engaging with civil society will be invaluable.”
The RJC recently announced it was developing standards for lab-grown diamonds.
(Photo: Leah Netsky/courtesy of the Responsible Jewellery Council)
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