Press Releases

RJC Appoints Brad Brooks-Rubin to Lead Engagement in North America

He is the former Special Advisor for Conflict Diamonds at the U.S. Department of State.

Published

4 years ago

October 3, 2021

Press Releases

Brad Brooks-Rubin

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON — Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC), the leading standard-setting organization for the global jewelry and watch industry, has appointed Brad Brooks-Rubin, the former Special Advisor for Conflict Diamonds at the U.S. Department of State, as Strategic Advisor & North America Engagement Lead. Based in Washington, D.C., he will be responsible for advancing policy and deepening connections between international policy makers, NGOs and RJC member companies.

Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director of RJC said, “We are excited to welcome Brad to the RJC team. He is highly regarded for his multi-stakeholder expertise and has a proven track record of successfully connecting policy makers, NGOs, industry and the broader community. Brad has a critical role to play in advancing policy. I look forward to working with him to sharpen RJC’s focus on encouraging and enabling the acceleration of collective action within the global jewelry and watch industry through the implementation of the RJC Code of Practices towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, during the Decade of Action.”

David Bouffard, Chair of RJC, added, “Brad represents the caliber of expertise and action that the RJC will support in this era of sustainable development. His experience in responsible sourcing and engaging with civil society will be invaluable to our 1,500 member companies worldwide, and in deepening consumer confidence in our industry.”

Speaking about his new role at RJC, Brooks-Rubin said, “I am thrilled to join RJC at this critical time for the jewelry and watch supply chain. Urgent issues related to climate, human and labor rights, gender/racial equity, and sustainable development face the industry – and planet. I am grateful to have the opportunity to build on my years of experience connected to the industry and engage with policymakers in Washington to bring the industry’s efforts forward. I also look forward to working closely with current and future members to ensure they have the support they need to implement the RJC Code of Practices standard.”

Brooks-Rubin will continue as a Senior Advisor at The Sentry, an investigative and policy team that seeks to exclude war profiteers in East and Central Africa from international financial systems, co-founded by George Clooney and John Prendergast. He was previously Director of Global Development and Beneficiation at GIA (Gemological Institute of America), served as Special Advisor for Conflict Diamonds with the U.S. Department of State and as an Attorney Advisor for the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Brooks-Rubin is a recipient of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee’s Stanley Schechter Award and is a published author. He holds a Doctor of Law (JD) degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis.

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.