The Nominees for The WJA Awards Have Been Revealed

National Jeweler’s Senior Editor, Brecken Branstrator, is up for an award in the Media Excellence category.

Ashley Davis Ashley.Davis@nationaljeweler.com

National Jeweler Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator (pictured top left) is one of four nominees up for a Women’s Jewelry Association Award for Excellence in the media category. Winners will be revealed July 24 in New York at the Awards for Excellence gala.

Poughkeepsie, NY--Across nine categories, 33 individuals have a chance of nabbing a Women’s Jewelry Association Award for Excellence next month.

The Women’s Jewelry Association released its list of potential winners Monday. Earlier this year, WJA members and jewelry industry professionals were able to nominate their colleagues through an open, online submission process.

The pool was whittled down by a committee of past winners, headed by jewelry editor and former winner of an Award for Excellence in the Media Excellence category, Jennifer Heebner. This year, the committee honed and refined its criteria for selecting the final nominees.

"An eligible nominee must have a reputation for integrity, honesty, high ethical standards, and credibility, according to the new WJA Awards for Excellence criteria," Heebner explained. "She also must devote time and effort to help women in the jewelry industry excel."

The committee will go on to select the winner of each category, which will be announced live at the WJA Awards for Excellence gala on July 24 in New York at Chelsea Piers, Pier 60.

Here are the 2017 nominees:

Design

Wendy Brandes, owner/president, Wendy Brandes Jewelry

Deirdre Featherstone, founder, Featherstone Fine Jewelry

Annie Koenig, president, Annie K. Jewelry

Manufacturer, Dealer, Supplier

Maureen Murphy, group director of customer service, Lee

Gabriella Harvey, director of procurement and product services, Gemfields

Merchandising and Product Development

Anna Samsonova, assistant fashion buyer, Ben Bridge Jeweler

Nan Lung Palmer, owner and managing director, FACEts Jewelry Consulting

Business Services

Pat Henneberry, vice president of learning and development, Hearts On Fire

Jo-Ann Sperano, paralegal/mediation specialist, Jewelers Vigilance Committee

Judith Shechter, director of global business development, Gemological Institute of America

Rachel Jackson, vice president of client solutions, ERCBPO, and former director of jewelry, XO Group

Large-Scale Retail

Carol Pennelli, president and chief commercial officer, David Yurman

Judy Fisher, senior vice president of merchandising, Signet Jewelers

Lisa Bridge, vice president of education, and designer, Ben Bridge Jeweler

Independent Retail

Alexis Padis, director of operations, Padis Jewelry

Melissa Quick, president, Steve Quick Jeweler

Open-Format Retail

Nadine Kahane, founder & CEO, Stone & Strand

Sophie Kahn & Bouchra Ezzahraoui, co-founders, AUrate New York

Marketing and Communications

Donna Jolly, director of marketing, American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories

Megan Whitmire, marketing manager, American Gem Trade Association

Editorial

Eileen McClelland, managing editor, InStore magazine

Brecken Branstrator, senior editor, National Jeweler

Barbara Palumbo, founder/editor-in-chief, Adornmentality

Severine Ferrari, editor in chief, Engagement 101

President of WJA, Brandee Dallow, commented "WJA congratulates our 2017 WJA Awards for Excellence nominees, each of whom has demonstrated significant achievements throughout their careers. We look forward to applauding our honorees and nominees at the WJA Awards for Excellence gala on July 24."

In addition to the nine awards being given out at the Awards for Excellence gala, three other awards will be given to industry heavyweights for their contributions over the years.

As previously announced, Cecilia Gardner, president, CEO, and general counsel of Jewelers Vigilance Committee, will receive the WJA Lifetime Achievement Award. Michael Pollak, CEO of Hyde Park Jewelers, will receive the Ben Kaiser Award. Day's Jewelers will receive this year’s WJA Corporate Award.

Besides honoring industry leaders, the gala’s purpose is to raise funds to go toward WJA scholarships for women in the jewelry industry. A silent auction and raffle at the gala will aid this pursuit.

"The Awards for Excellence Gala is our prime opportunity to raise funds for our scholarship and grants program," said WJA Executive Director Bernadette Mack. "We are grateful to all of our honorees, nominees, attendees, and sponsors for their dedication in participating in this event, to invest in the new women entrepreneurs, veterans, and students

Banner will be right here …

who win our grants and scholarships. Last year, the WJA Awards for Excellence Gala raised $40,000 for these cash awards. Our goal is to top that amount in 2017."

Those interested in sponsorship opportunities this year may contact Mack at bernadette@womensjewelryassociation.com, or obtain additional information on the WJA website.

Gala tickets may also be purchased on the site.

Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.