The American Gem Society named Margaret De Young deputy executive director. She is responsible for the Society’s overall operations, including marketing and management of the annual membership meeting, Conclave.

“We are delighted to welcome Margaret to the American Gem Society,” said Ruth Batson, executive director and chief executive officer of the American Gem Society. “Margaret’s leadership skills and depth of industry experience will be tremendous assets to the Society as we continue to add valuable member benefits and influence consumer purchasing decisions.”

De Young joins the American Gem Society having most recently served as senior manager, Sales and Customer Relations of the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, Calif. Previously, she oversaw marketing and sales initiatives for Ernest Slotar, a diamond wholesaler located in Chicago, and held retail jewelry sales and managerial positions with jewelers in the greater-Chicago area.

De Young, a Graduate Gemologist, holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from De Paul University and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

JCK