(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK — Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, has announced the recipients of the 20 Under 40 in Jewelry Retail List. Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 is a new recognition program that celebrates young professionals who exemplify leadership skills and a commitment to elevating jewelry retail for tomorrow’s jewelry consumers.
Jewelers of America members had the opportunity to nominate someone or themselves for the 20 Under 40 List. A panel of industry judges reviewed nominees from JA Retail Members across the country and had the difficult task of narrowing the applications down to the 20 individuals who best embody an ability to lead, innovate, and improve a jewelry store’s success while adhering to professional ethics.
“Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 in Jewelry Retail List was designed to recognize young and talented individuals in all facets of the retail jewelry industry. These recipients will pave the way for a brighter future and the next generation of jewelry industry professionals,” says Jewelers of America President & CEO David Bonaparte.
The recipients of the 20 Under 40 List are all employed by Jewelers of America Member retail stores. Their job roles span from design, management, marketing, bench jewelers and more.
Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 in Jewelry Retail List recipients are as follows:
- Wes Anderson, Co-owner, Manager and Designer of T.K. Anderson Designs, Athens, Georgia
- Erin Bacher, Store Manager of J. Bacher Fine Jewelry, Harrisburg, IL
- Chad Berg, Co-Owner and Co-President of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Stephanie Binder, Founder and CEO of Boston Diamond Company, Boston, Massachusetts
- Christian Bolling, Jewelry Designer of Christian Stone and Jeffery B. Jewelers, Denver, Colorado
- Andy Brabec, Director of Marketing and Ecommerce of Borsheims, Omaha, Nebraska
- Lisa Bridge, President and CEO of Ben Bridge Jeweler, Seattle, Washington
- Amanda Coleman-Phelps, President/Owner of Nelson Coleman Jewelers & Jewelry By Designs, Towson, Maryland
- Joseph Corey, President of Day’s Jewelers, Waterville, Maine
- Isabelle Corvin, Staff Gemologist and Merchandising Manager of Panowicz Jewelers, Olympia, Washington
- Katherine Dahlkemper, Assistant Manager of Dahlkemper’s Jewelry Connection, Erie, Pennsylvania
- Jordan Dubin, Co-Owner of Dubin’s Fine Jewelry, Houston, TX
- Jessica Gylsen, Store Manager and Diamond Department Manager of Wixon Jewelers, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Alexandra Hevia Schlindwein, Marketing Director of Kiefer Jewelers, Lutz, Florida
- Trisha Kennedy-Thompson, Co-owner of Kennedy’s Jewelers, Blue Springs, Missouri
- Valerie Madison, Owner & Creative Director of Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry, Seattle, Washington
- Alexis Padis, President of Padis Jewelry, San Francisco, California
- Constance Polamalu, C.O.O of Zachary’s Jewelers, Annapolis, Maryland
- Lauren Priori, Owner of L. Priori Jewelry, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Andrew Siegel, C.O.O. of Hamilton Jewelers, Princeton, New Jersey
For more information about each of the 20 Under 40 List recipients, visit here.