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Edge Retail Academy Expands Leadership Team April 16, 2026 (0 comments)
Shelton, CT--Edge Retail Academy, a business coaching and analytics firm for retail jewelers, has expanded its leadership team, including new additions and internal promotions.
“With growing demand for our coaching program among retail jewelers aiming to accelerate their growth, we’ve expanded our team with seasoned professionals who bring deep industry and coaching experience and a history of delivering results,” said Becka Johnson Kibby, CEO of Edge Retail Academy. “These strategic additions enhance our leadership team and position us to deliver even greater value to our clients and the industry.”
New Leadership Appointment
Ellen Gardner – VP, business coaching
Gardner joins Edge Retail Academy with more than 25 years of business consulting and coaching experience, including ownership of multiple businesses. She is known for helping owners build strong business communities and improve financial and operational performance, and has led national training programs on scaling, forecasting, and return on investment.
Internal Leadership Promotions
Jennifer Motes – senior director, Coach Development
Motes’ promotion follows her role as a business coach with Edge Retail Academy. She brings more than 30 years of experience in the retail jewelry industry, including store ownership, absentee ownership, oversight of multi-store operations, strategic merchandising, and developing high-performing retail teams.
Mona Lisa Shaffer – director, Business Coaching Operations
Shaffer’s promotion follows eight years as a senior business coach with Edge Retail Academy. She brings more than 30 years of experience in the retail jewelry industry, with expertise in leadership and management, sales performance, team development and inventory optimization.
New Appointment
Cindi Haddad Drew – business coach
Drew joins Edge Retail Academy with more than 40 years of experience in the jewelry industry, including owning and operating her own retail store. As a former client of Edge Retail Academy, she successfully refined her operations and transitioned to a remote ownership model. She now brings that experience to help other jewelry store owners achieve similar success.
The company will be at JCK Las Vegas, where retail jewelers can learn more about its coaching programs and schedule a complimentary “Store Performance Analysis” or “Business Insight Survey.”