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Industry News: Udell, Copeman Honored by WJA; DEF Names 2014 GOOD Award Winners July 31, 2013 (0 comments)
Candy Udell, Darwin Copeman Honored By WJA
New York, NY—A record number of industry insiders celebrated the 30th Annual WJA Awards for Excellence here on Monday. The event honored Candy Udell, president of London Jewelers (left), Darwin Copeman, CEO of Jewelers Mutual, and many more.
Udell was presented with WJA’s Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award, and Copeman with its Ben Kaiser Award, given to an industry man who shows extraordinary support for women in business. Standard Chartered Bank accepted the Corporate Hall of Fame Award for companies with an outstanding record of supporting and promoting women.
The evening opened with a “Chance Auction,” and an opportunity to bid on items available through CharityBuzz.com, including an African safari with a private diamond cutting facility tour, a one-of-a-kind experience that only this industry can provide (donated by Julius Klein Group). All proceeds from the auction benefit the WJA’s Scholarship Fund, which supports the educational and professional development of young talent at many levels of the industry. This year the WJA is awarding over $30,000 in honor of the organization’s 30th anniversary.
Part of the scholarship funds have come from the Tivol family, in memory of Brooke Tivol McGrath of Carelle, who died in 2011 of a virulent infection.
Cathy Tivol, mother of the late Brooke Tivol, spoke in memory of her daughter, who passionately loved the industry and WJA.
Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice presented Udell’s award, citing not only Udell’s devotion to the family business, but also her passion for animals and the work she has done in her community against cruelty to animals.
“The honor for me is to stand among each of you tonight and call you my colleagues and friends,” said Udell. “London Jewelers still operates with that mom and pop mentality. We are more than just purveyors; we are purveyors of memories. I couldn’t be more thankful for that every day.
“Jewelry is a woman’s best insurance policy; when the going gets tough, put on your jewels and smile,” she quipped.
Darwin Copeman of Jewelers' Mutual accepts the Ben Kaiser Award at the WJA Awards for Excellence event.
WJA also presented its annual awards for excellence in retail, design, manufacturing/ supplier, sales, marketing and communications, editorial/reporting/publishing, and special services.
Those winners were: Design, Irene Neuwirth, Irene Neuwirth, Inc.; Manufacturer/Dealer/Supplier, Lita Asscher, Royal Asscher; Retail 15 doors or more, Linda Bridgewater, Fred Meyer; Retail fewer than 15 doors, Joanne Teichman, Ylang23; Retail, non-traditional, Angelina Chen, Circa; Sales and Merchandising, Candace Edelman, Alex Sepkus Inc.; Marketing & Communications, Amanda Gizzi, Jewelers of America; Media, Melissa Colgan, Martha Stewart Weddings; Special Services, Brenda Gamba, Jewelers Board of Trade.
CharityBuzz.com items, the proceeds of which will benefit the WJA Scholarship Fund, will be available online until August 9 through this link.
Diamond Empowerment Fund Announces Honorees For Third Annual GOOD Awards
New York, NY--Forevermark, JCK, and Fred Meyer Jewelers will be honored by the Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) for global leadership and making a positive difference in communities around the world at DEF’s third annual GOOD Awards, set for January 9, 2014 at the Empire Penthouse Lounge.
The formal announcement of the honorees was made Monday at the Luxury Privé show opening cocktail reception at the Pierre Hotel in New York.
The Diamond Empowerment Fund established the GOOD Awards in 2012 to recognize individuals and corporations in the diamond and jewelry industry for outstanding leadership in the areas of good corporate citizenship, sustainability, and promoting opportunity in Africa.
Stephen Lussier, CEO of Forevermark, who will accept the award on behalf of the brand, says, “We are deeply honored to receive this award as it reflects our commitment to integrity which is at the core of the Forevermark brand promise.”
“JCK is committed to the diamond and jewelry industry and giving back must be a priority for all those involved,” says Yancy Weinrich, group vice president at JCK Events, who will be accepting the award on behalf of JCK. “ The Diamond Empowerment Fund has a unique mission to educate and empower college-age youth in diamond producing countries. To be in the esteemed company of Forevermark and Fred Meyer Jewelers in receiving a GOOD Award in 2014 is truly a special recognition for JCK.”
Peter Engel, president of Fred Meyer Jewelers, will accept the award on the retailer’s behalf. He said, “Fred Meyer Jewelers is incredibly proud to be honored by the Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) with a GOOD Award. The admirable work of DEF—especially making a difference in the lives of young people, is a mission that Fred Meyer Jewelers strongly supports”. Fred Meyer Jewelers is part of the Kroger Company umbrella of brands that has a deep commitment to sustainability and community-oriented initiatives.
Phyllis Bergman, DEF board President and CEO of Mercury Ring added, “The Diamond Empowerment Fund is very pleased to honor the exemplary achievements of these great companies.”
For more information on tickets, journal ads and sponsorship packages please visit www.goodawards.org.
Phyllis Bergman, left, president of DEF, with Lisa Cochin representing Forevermark, Peter Engel of Fred Meyer, and Yancy Weinrich of JCK.