WJA L.A. Chapter Welcomes New Co-Presidents

Jewelry-industry veterans Veronica Clark-Hudson and Judith Shechter-Lankford both have assumed co-president duties of the Women's Jewelry Association Los Angeles Chapter. Outgoing co-presidents Robin Lutin, JCK regional manager, and Caroline Stanley, president/CEO of Red Jewel Inc., will remain active members of WJA L.A. in board and advisory roles.

Veronica Clark-Hudson joined the Gemological Institute of America in 1990 as an extension instructor traveling and teaching classes throughout the United States and overseas. After teaching for several years, she created, developed, and managed the education sales team in the marketing department. In 1997, GIA relocated to its new world headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif., and Clark-Hudson established a branch of GIA in downtown Los Angeles. She taught extension classes and built the business to include the Graduate Gemologist Program, requiring the branch to expand to its brand new, larger facility in Culver City, Calif., where she continues to serve as director.

Clark-Hudson has been involved in education and management for over 30 years. Her education experience began as an instructor of computer systems for IBM. Later she taught English at the International School while living in Hong Kong. Prior to joining GIA, she managed a retail jewelry department and then a retail store and owned a small business. She has been a member of the WJA L.A. Chapter for 12 years and served on the board as program co-chair. Clark-Hudson is a member of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California and the American Gem Society. She holds a B.A. in English as well as G.G., A.J.P., and C.G. diplomas.

A Graduate Gemologist with more than 30 years' experience, Judith Shechter-Lankford began accumulating her extensive knowledge of the industry and gemstones during eight years of work as a manager, buyer, and appraiser for a fine-jewelry store in Los Angeles.

Shechter-Lankford held a number of positions during her 20 years with GIA, including gemology instructor, distance-education manager, and manager of the internationally acclaimed GIA bookstore. She also worked closely with the developers of several gemology and jewelry courses and programs for the Institute.

During her career with GIA, Shechter-Lankford coordinated with trade organizations such as Jewelers of America, American Gem Trade Association, and JCK magazine. She worked with the American Gem Society, where she assisted in the creation of their educational programs; the Independent Jewelers Organization, where she helped develop the Master Jewelers program and arranged educational seminars; and the World Gold Council, where she co-authored and presented the first Gold Seminar. She has been a member of the Los Angeles chapter of the WJA for 12 years and has served on the board as co-chair for the program committee. She is a member of the American Gem Society and holds G.G., C.G., and A.J.P. diplomas.

For more information, visit www.womensjewelry.org.