MajorsJan 19, 2024
Jeffrey Cohen Takes Over as 24 Karat Club ChairMajorsJan 24, 2024
Rebecca Foerster Elected Chair of JVC Board of Directors
In addition, the organization will honor Matt Stuller with the Stanley Schechter Award at its upcoming luncheon.
Hearts On Fire North America President Rebecca Foerster will serve as chair of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee’s board for the 2024-2026 term.
New York—The Jewelers Vigilance Committee has appointed new board officers for the 2024-2026 term, with Rebecca Foerster taking over as board chair.
Foerster is president of Hearts On Fire North America, a position she has held since May 2022.
Prior to that, she was president of Alrosa North America from January 2019 until the closure of that office in March 2022.
Foerster also served as the former senior vice president of strategic planning and marketing for Leo Schachter Diamonds; oversaw diamond sales and marketing as vice president for Rio Tinto’s U.S. office; and was the vice president of marketing at Frederick Goldman.
She served as president of Diamonds Do Good (DDG) for four years and currently is on the DDG executive committee as head of global partnerships.
“I am extremely honored and excited about my new role with the Jewelers Vigilance Committee,” Foerster said.
“The importance of this organization and the role it plays to support every part of our supply chain to make sure we are aware of significant issues and changes, to protect us and make sure we are compliant with ever-changing rules and legislation, has never been more relevant than today.”
Joining Foerster on the board are past Chair Jenny Luker, president of Platinum Guild International USA; First Vice President Julie Yoakum, president and chief brand merchant at Helzberg Diamonds; Second Vice President Michael Richards, vice president and chief operating officer at Underwood Jewelers in Jacksonville, Florida; Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair Mark Goldberg, chief financial officer of Rolex Watch USA; and Secretary and Legal Action Committee Chair Lisa Wong Lackland, general counsel at Ben Bridge Jeweler.
Related stories will be right here …
Foerster is president of Hearts On Fire North America, a position she has held since May 2022.
Prior to that, she was president of Alrosa North America from January 2019 until the closure of that office in March 2022.
Foerster also served as the former senior vice president of strategic planning and marketing for Leo Schachter Diamonds; oversaw diamond sales and marketing as vice president for Rio Tinto’s U.S. office; and was the vice president of marketing at Frederick Goldman.
She served as president of Diamonds Do Good (DDG) for four years and currently is on the DDG executive committee as head of global partnerships.
“I am extremely honored and excited about my new role with the Jewelers Vigilance Committee,” Foerster said.
“The importance of this organization and the role it plays to support every part of our supply chain to make sure we are aware of significant issues and changes, to protect us and make sure we are compliant with ever-changing rules and legislation, has never been more relevant than today.”
Joining Foerster on the board are past Chair Jenny Luker, president of Platinum Guild International USA; First Vice President Julie Yoakum, president and chief brand merchant at Helzberg Diamonds; Second Vice President Michael Richards, vice president and chief operating officer at Underwood Jewelers in Jacksonville, Florida; Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair Mark Goldberg, chief financial officer of Rolex Watch USA; and Secretary and Legal Action Committee Chair Lisa Wong Lackland, general counsel at Ben Bridge Jeweler.
In addition, JVC recently announced the 2024 recipient of the Stanley Schechter Award will be Stuller Inc. founder, chairperson, and CEO Matt G. Stuller Sr.
Presented annually, the Stanley Schechter Award goes to an individual who exemplifies industry ethics.
JVC said Stuller’s “visionary leadership” in the industry, which has spanned more than five decades, showcases “an unwavering commitment to integrity.”
In addition, his philanthropic endeavors, including The Stuller Family Foundation, Parish Proud, and Love Our Schools, highlight his commitment to the community around him.
JVC will honor Stuller at its annual luncheon, scheduled for Friday, March 8, at the Intercontinental Barclay hotel in New York.
It will begin at noon with a networking/cocktail hour.
For more information, visit the JVC website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
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
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.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
