JA announces 2023 Class of ‘20 Under 40’

The list recognizes young retail talent nationwide.

Lauren McLemore lauren.mclemore@nationaljeweler.com

Meet Jewelers of America’s second-ever group of "20 Under 40" jewelry retail talent. The distinction honors up-and-coming jewelry company owners, managers, and employees.

New York, NY – Jewelers of America has announced its annual “20 Under 40 in Jewelry Retail” list.

The honorees embody an ability to lead, innovate, and improve a jewelry store's success while adhering to professional ethics, JA said.

JA members and non-members across the jewelry industry nominated contenders for the 20 Under 40 list. A panel of industry judges narrowed down more than 150 nominees to 20 honorees.

All are under age 40 and employed by JA member retail stores, with job roles ranging from owners to management, marketing, merchandising, training, and more.

The trade organization began the list in 2022. It celebrates professionals who exemplify leadership skills and a commitment to elevating jewelry retail for consumers, JA said.

“Jewelers of America recognizes the importance of shining a spotlight on the up-and-coming talent found at member stores nationwide. These recipients’ dedication to their craft, community and the industry will pave the way for a brighter future and the next generation of jewelry professionals,” said JA President and CEO David Bonaparte.

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The 20 Under 40 in Jewelry Retail List honorees for 2023 are:
Jessica Adler Gerring, owner and chief operating officer of Adler's Diamonds, St. Louis, Missouri;
Raeann Baribault Schwartz, partner and chief marketing officer of Baribault Jewelers, Glastonbury, Connecticut;
Alex Bellman, COO of Bellman Jewelers, Manchester, New Hampshire;
Brandon Boudreaux, COO of Boudreaux’s Jewelers, Metairie, Louisiana;
Maria Brown, co-owner and vice president of Exclusively Diamonds, Mankato, Minnesota;
Trish Carruth, founder and lead designer of Your Personal Jeweler, Royal Oak, Michigan;
Marino A. Costello, general manager of Costello Jewelry Company, Naperville, Illinois;
Matthew Fink, president of Fink’s Jewelers, Roanoke, Virginia;
Lauren Forbes, director of diamonds and gemstones at Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry, Seattle, Washington;
Stephanie Gottlieb, founder and CEO of Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry, New York, New York;
Angela Hope, vice president of merchandise of Ben Bridge Jeweler, Seattle, Washington;
Allison Leitzel Williams, co-owner and president of Leitzel’s Jewelry, Hershey and Myerstown, Pennsylvania;
Nikia Levesque, vice president of marketing at Day’s Jewelers, Waterville, Maine;
Natacha Metayer, president and owner of JNCY Jewelers, Miami, Florida;
Isreal Morales, owner of Sky Diamond Jewelers, New Windsor, New York;
Lexis S. Parker, director of training at Huntington Fine Jewelers, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;
Emily Phillippy, owner of Emily Chelsea Jewelry, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
Courtney Sivard, director of marketing at BC Clark Jewelers, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;
Abby Snow, co-owner and manager of Metalmark Fine Jewelry, Phoenix, Arizona;
Scott Udell, vice president of London Jewelers, Manhasset, New York.

Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 program is sponsored by Jewelers Mutual Group and Synchrony. For more information about each of the 20 Under 40 List recipients, visit the JA website.