Policies & IssuesAug 31, 2023
Diamonds Do Good Awards 2023 Scholarships Events & AwardsOct 02, 2023
WJA Foundation Awards First Helene Fortunoff Scholarship
A New Hampshire store manager is the inaugural recipient of the grant for up-and-coming women in retail.
Ashley Kets, Springer’s Jewelers store manager, is the first-ever recipient of the 2023 Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship.
New York—The Women’s Jewelry Association Foundation, the nonprofit arm of WJA, has announced Ashley Kets, store manager at Springer’s Jewelers, is the inaugural recipient of the 2023 Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship.
Kets got her start in luxury retail at Barney’s New York in Beverly Hills, and soon felt compelled to lean into the management side of retail.
After a cross-country move, Kets began working as the store manager of the family-owned Springer’s Jewelers in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Since taking the position, she has grown her skillset, acquiring an Applied Jewelry Professional Diploma from GIA.
“I am beyond thrilled and humbled to be the recipient of the 2023 Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship,” said Kets.
“Hearing about Helene’s strength, trailblazing business savvy and her determination to help future women in the business is doubly meaningful as both a working mother and a retail manager in an often male-dominated field. I am honored to be a part of her lasting legacy and will do my best to embody her tenacity and passion for both jewelry and helping others succeed.”
Kets plans to use the funds to attend NYU’s Leadership Training for High Potentials, a program focused on teaching frameworks to analyze and address important leadership challenges.
The annual $7,500 scholarship, first announced in March, is given in honor of the late Helene Fortunoff, a jewelry industry pioneer and one of WJA’s founding members.
The scholarship, meant to support rising retail leaders by providing them with education and training to enhance their leadership and management skills, is a way for the Fortunoff family to continue their mother’s impactful legacy.
"Ashley embodies many of the qualities that Helene embraced, from her passion for jewelry to her attention to detail in merchandising, quality and customer service,” said Helene’s daughters, Ruth and Esther Fortunoff.
“In addition, Ashley's desire to become a stronger leader at Springer’s and in the jewelry industry as a whole is evident. Helene valued education and promoted women in business. We are proud to continue her legacy and to award the first Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship to Ashley Kets.”
The WJA Foundation was created to support WJA's mission of providing educational and business opportunities that allow women to reach their full career potential. Donations to WJA Foundation can be made on its website.
Retailers interested in creating scholarship opportunities in partnership with the WJA Foundation should contact Rachel Jurisz, Membership & Operations Manager at rachel@womensjewelryassociation.com.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeCommercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’? Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
