The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) has announced the nominees for its 2015 Awards for Excellence, the ceremony of which will be held July 27 in New York City.
The annual awards were founded in 1984 to honor women in the jewelry industry. The event also serves as a fund-raiser for scholarships and grants for female jewelers. In addition to the nominees in 10 categories covering retail, design, sales, and more, three preselected honorees have also been announced. Pam Mortensen, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of fine jewelry for J.C. Penney, will receive the WJA Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award. Gumuchian will receive the WJA Hall of Fame Corporate Award. Clayton Bromberg, president of Underwood Jewelers, will receive the Ben Kaiser Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors men in the industry who have committed to the advancement of women.
Among the nominees in the Special Services category is JCK’s own associate publisher Donna Borrelli. Borrelli joined JCK in 1999 as director of operations and was promoted to associate publisher in 2000.
The full list of nominees is below.
Category I: Design
Emily Armenta, Armenta
Pamela Froman, Pamela Froman Fine Jewelry
Suzanne Kalandjian, Suzanne Kalan
Monica Rich Kosann, Monica Rich Kosann
Category II: Manufacturer/Dealer/Supplier
Karishma Javeri, SDC Designs
Sylvie Levine, Sylvie Collection
Zina Sherman, Zina Sterling
Laurie Watt, Mayer & Watt
Category IIIa: Retail—15 doors or more
Lisa Bridge, Ben Bridge Jewelers
Eve Rogers, Graff
Category IIIb: Retail—Fewer than 15 doors
Ellen Hertz, Max’s
Veronica Guarino, Louis Anthony Jewelers
Tara Silberberg, The Clay Pot
Melissa Quick, Steve Quick Jeweler
Category IIIc: Nontraditional Retail
Alexis Clarbour, Portero
Amy Jain and Daniella Yacobovsky, BaubleBar
Beth Gerstein, Brilliant Earth
Deborah Nicodemus, Moda Operandi
Ruth Thuston, Circa
Category IV: Sales
Amy Levine, Gurhan
Tina Bruno, Stephen Webster
Jennifer Shanker, MUSE
Category V: Marketing & Communications
Kirsten Darrow, Fred Meyer
Donna Jolly, American Gem Society
Rebecca Moskal, Communiqué
Colby Shergalis, Forevermark
Category VI: Editorial Media
Sarah Lisitski-Gerrish, Redbook magazine
Eileen McClelland, Instore magazine
Danielle Miele, Gem Gossip
Monica Stephenson, idazzle
Category VII: Special Services
Donna Borrelli, JCK magazine
Cindy Chandler, SMART Jewelry Show
Becka Johnson Kibby, The Edge Retail Academy
Heather Smith Nuñez, Cartier
Category VIII: Watches
Audrey Bogdonoff, Gucci
Agnes Campanile, Swatch Group/Omega
Jeanine Drtina, Cartier
Michelle Peranteau, Baume & Mercier
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