(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK, NY — The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) has appointed Sara E. Yood, Esq. as its new President, CEO & General Counsel, succeeding Tiffany Stevens who has resigned from her position. Sara will assume her duties on June 24, 2024.
Sara E. Yood, Esq.
Yood has worked at the organization since 2012, serving as Assistant Counsel, Senior Counsel, and Deputy General Counsel during her tenure. She has extensive experience in intellectual property law, fashion law, legal compliance, anti-money laundering regulations, and responsible sourcing. Yood came to JVC from a fellowship at the Fashion Law Institute, housed at Fordham Law School, where she received her J.D. She currently serves as the secretary of the board of directors of the United States Kimberley Process Authority, and is a member of the Standards Committee of the Responsible Jewellery Council and a participant in the Antiquities Coalition Financial Crimes Task Force.
Sara Yood said: “It’s an incredible honor to take on this role at JVC, where I have an opportunity to step into a leadership role previously modeled for me by two outstanding women in the jewelry industry”, she said. “I look forward to building on the important work of the organization and ensuring that our membership is served by JVC’s unique place in the jewelry industry both serving the industry’s needs and playing an important advocacy role with governments.”
Rebecca Foerster, chairman of the JVC said: “The importance of the JVC continues to grow into its 108th year of existence. We wish Tiffany good luck in her new career chapter and are so happy to be able to offer the leadership role to Sara. Her passion, energy and astute legal skills, as well as her commercial understanding of our industry, will make her an excellent leader and take the JVC to the next level. The JVC has gained significant momentum on the policy, educational, operational and membership aspects of the organization and I am fully confident Sara and her team will continue that great trajectory. These are challenging times for our complex industry and it’s absolutely crucial to have a leader who fully understands both the nuance of the laws we are subject to and the dynamics of our industry inside and out.”
Exceeding Every Expectation: How Wilkerson Helped d’Original Jewelers Achieve an Outstanding Retirement Sale
When David Rees decided to retire after 34 years of serving Bellevue, Washington’s Eastside, he and his wife knew their exit from d’Original Jewelers needed to honor their decades-long commitment to customers while meeting their financial goals. Since opening in 1990, David had built a reputation as one of the area’s most trusted names for diamonds, custom jewelry, and repairs.
Understanding that a successful retirement sale requires more than just discounting merchandise, David chose Wilkerson to manage his transition. What impressed him most was their attention to detail, particularly in accounting and sales projections. The results far exceeded his expectations — the sale significantly outperformed projections, delivering exceptional financial results that surpassed his retirement goals.
“They were always there for support. If we needed anything, they were able to accomplish that,” David shares. For jewelers contemplating retirement, David’s experience demonstrates Wilkerson’s proven ability to deliver outstanding results while providing comprehensive support throughout the entire process. His recommendation? “100% yes.”
