Jewelry Edit Foundation Is Prepped for Its Big Debut

By Karen Dybis | April 25, 2025

The Jewelry Edit Foundation (TJEF) is ready to officially debut, with plans to serve as a change-making organization that promotes fresh voices in the jewelry industry.

Founder Rosena Sammi will host a private get-together on April 28 to introduce the Jewelry Edit Foundation board members, who were announced in March. The board and other supporters are working to create events and fund-raising opportunities that will grow the nonprofit organization quickly and with purpose, says Sammi, a former jewelry designer who previously founded the Jewelry Edit online marketplace.

“The Jewelry Edit Foundation feels like a natural next step for me. The Jewelry Edit has always been about more than just showcasing beautiful pieces—it’s about celebrating designers who care about the world and bring unique perspectives to their work,” Sammi says.

“With TJEF, I get to take that mission further, beyond the bounds of our e-commerce platform, and help lift up all designers—especially those just starting out.”

The Jewelry Edit Foundation board members include producer Mara Burros Sandler; actress Lynda Carter, best known for her role as Wonder Woman; artist Theaster Gates; Todd Kahn, CEO of Coach (pictured at top with Sammi); Diane Mahady, CEO of Hermès; Dana Naberezny, Tiffany & Co.’s chief innovation officer of jewelry; and marketing and public relations executive Caroliine Packer.

Naberezny says she wanted to join the foundation’s board because of her friendship with Sammi. They met at a talk Naberezny gave at the New School in New York City.

“I instantly saw not only our mutual affection for this medium and industry but for the education of the next generation of incredible jewelry talent,” Naberezny says. “I was lucky enough that early in life someone took a chance on me and taught me about the artistry of jewelry creation and the industry that surrounds it.

“The potential to pass that along, to educate future jewelers and supporters on both the history of this incredible art and modern construction is a privilege,” Naberezny adds.

Fellow board member Burros Sandler agrees. She first heard about the Jewelry Edit Foundation through her network in the social impact and design space.

“Rosena’s name kept coming up as someone doing truly meaningful work at the intersection of creativity, empowerment, and equity,” Burros Sandler says. “What drew me to the Jewelry Edit Foundation was its belief in storytelling and community as vehicles for transformation.

“Jewelry is often dismissed as ornamental, but here it becomes a statement—a tool for reclaiming identity, honoring heritage, and supporting artisans, particularly women and underrepresented voices,” she adds. “That kind of intentionality is rare, and it aligns perfectly with my lifelong commitment to supporting equity, creativity, and social impact across industries.”

Sammi invites emerging designers and other professionals to join TJEF in its efforts to revolutionize the jewelry industry. The foundation’s official mission is “to empower jewelry talent by providing resources, mentorship, and a supportive community, fostering a new era of socially conscious creativity,” as stated on its website.

“So many of us in this industry want to do better, to be part of something meaningful. But real change is tough, especially given today’s economic and political climate,” Sammi says. “That’s exactly why I believe in this work so deeply. If we want a better, more equitable, more sustainable future, we have to build it—and I want to be part of that, alongside others who feel the same.”

With the board members and TJEF’s roster of mentors ready to start, Sammi feels encouraged to aim her ambitions for the Jewelry Edit Foundation high. The new group was just named a recipient of a 2025 grant from the JCK Industry Fund, which will go toward production of educational videos for emerging jewelers on business practices, sustainability, and trade show follow-up. Sammi’s other plans for the foundation include offering master classes, online content, and in-person events that educate and empower members of the industry.

“Real change demands bold action. Our goals are ambitious by design—we’re here to shift the industry, not just support it—but we’re moving forward with intention and care,” Sammi says.

“As an outsider in the industry, I’ve had to navigate many things on my own, but I’ve seen the power of great mentorship firsthand, and I’ve taken those insights to reimagine what’s possible,” Sammi adds. “This is about building a new blueprint—one that challenges the status quo, and pushes the industry toward a future that’s more responsible and visionary.”

(Photo by Max Arellano, courtesy of the Jewelry Edit)