An acting president has been named.
(Press Release) NEW YORK, NY — The World Diamond Council, an industry group focused on removing conflict diamonds from the global supply chain and protecting the value of natural diamonds, announced that current President Andrey Polyakov will be resigning by the end of the week.
Current WDC Vice President Stephane Fischler will become acting president effective July 1. Fischler will serve in this capacity until the end of the term of this board, at which time he will start his two-year term as WDC president.
Polyakov became president of the WDC in May 2016 after serving as vice president of the organization the year prior.
“It has been an honor to serve as President of the WDC and to be a part of an organization tasked with such an important mission for our industry,” Polyakov said. “We have achieved much together, but assuring that the diamond supply chain remains virtually free of conflict diamonds will take vigilance and an ongoing committment to education and training for the next generation of industry stewards.”
Fischler said, “We owe a debt of gratitude to Andrey for his leadership and I, along with the rest of the members, look forward to continuing the good work he began with us.”
Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration
After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years."
Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations.
The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.
