The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) board of directors has elected Jacqueline Cassaway (pictured), vice president of merchandising for Starboard Cruise Services, as the group’s new president-elect. 

She will succeed current president Jenny Luker on Jan. 1, 2020. Luker, the president of Platinum Guild International, has served as president since 2018.

Returning WJA executive committee officers are: Sara Yood of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, who serves as treasurer; Rebecca Moskal of Communiqué, who serves as corporate secretary; Lauren Thompson of Jewelers of America, who is vice president for chapter affairs; Brandee Dallow of the Responsible Jewellery Council and Fine Girl Luxury Brand Building & Communications, who is WJA’s past president.

Newly elected board members include: Kristyn Beausoleil, national director, partner development for Forevermark; Susan Chandler, chief merchandising officer, Citizen Watch America; Morgan Miller, account executive, the Couture Show; Tina Olm, director, enterprise business development, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group; Jacqueline Raffi, vice president of business development, Hearts On Fire; Monica Stephenson, president, Anza Gems; and Tonia Zehrer, senior vice president and chief merchandising officer, Signet Jewelers.

Serving ex officio on the WJA board is independent contractor Brenda Gamba, who is president of the WJA Foundation board, which manages the WJA grants and scholarships program as a separate 501(c)(3) organization.

The following board members have completed their terms: Danielle Ingwer Cohen of Leo Ingwer, who served as U.S. regional director for the Eastern region; Peggy Jo Donahue, writer, who served as communications director; Desiree Hanson of Urban Expositions, who served as vice president of chapter affairs; Kristie Nicolosi of the Kingswood Co., who served as treasurer, and Erin O’Donnell of Emerald Expositions.

The WJA board’s U.S. regional directors include Sara Commers of Commers Custom Jewelers for the central region and Jen Cullen Williams of Luxury Brand Group for the Western region.

(Image courtesy of the Women’s Jewelry Association)

Rob Bates

JCK News Director