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Lisa Bridge Resigns from Ben Bridge Jeweler | August 11, 2025 (1 comment)
Seattle, WA--Lisa Bridge announced her resignation from Ben Bridge Jeweler in a LinkedIn post Sunday, citing a “different direction for the company,” which she didn’t elaborate.
She is the last family member to lead the multi-generational retail jeweler that was founded in 1912 in Seattle, WA. The business has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway since 2000.
A company spokesperson said Lisa Bridge told the staff of her impending departure on Thursday. She has refused further comment.
Her career with Ben Bridge began as a teenager working part time. She served as president and CEO of the luxury retail jewelry and watch retailer since 2019.
Ben Bridge will be part of a newly formed “BH Jewelry Group” alongside Helzberg Diamonds, also owned by Berkshire Hathaway, a spokesperson for Helzberg said via email. Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton will lead the new jewelry group as Group CEO. Lynnette Frank, Ben Bridge CFO, will serve as the interim brand president of Ben Bridge. Lisa Bridge will be staying through the end of August to help with the transition.
The Helzberg spokesperson added that each brand will maintain its separate name, experience and customers as they serve different market segments and regions.
One of Lisa Bridge’s notable accomplishments as president and CEO was leading a strategic consolidation of the company’s retail footprint, reducing it from 95 stores to 34 while maintaining or increasing overall business volume. She did this primarily by selling its Pandora division back to the Danish jewelry brand.
Ben Bridge Jeweler currently has 36 retail stores primarily in the western United States, including official Rolex boutiques in Seattle, San Diego and Honolulu.
Lisa Bridge is one of the most prominent persons in the jewelry industry. She served as one of the few female presidents of the American Gem Society (AGS), was a member of Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Board of Governors, a board member of Jewelers for Children and an advisory board member of the Black in Jewelry Coalition.
In 2024, Ben Bridge Jeweler won the Gem Award for Retail Excellence, and she accepted the award on behalf of the company. She received the 2024 Diamonds Do Good award for her leadership in “reshaping the natural diamond and jewelry industry landscape, connecting with Gen Z and Millennial consumers through innovative ideas, and making meaningful contributions.”
Lisa Bridge is an outspoken advocate for natural diamonds.
Below is Lisa Bridge’s LinkedIn statement:
For five generations our family has built and created, invested and dreamed, and has been part of the lives of our associates and customers. It is a wonderful and fulfilling business, and now is the time for me to step away.
Growing up, the family business was omnipresent. It was both what we did and part of who we were. I sold my first diamond when I was 16 years old and connected to the emotion of what we are about.
Though we sold the business to Berkshire Hathaway 25 years ago, it has continued to feel like our business. When I joined the company full time, I found out quickly what a privilege it is to work with family, those by blood and those by choice. In 2019, I was appointed CEO by Warren Buffett, and leading Ben Bridge has been the most extraordinary of opportunities.
I had my first child as the world shut down amidst the pandemic, closing our stores and managing from my hospital bed. We weathered each new curveball, and came out as a stronger, more nimble business on the other side.
We consolidated our footprint by selling our Pandora division and retooling our stores to stronger positioning, upleveling our experience through our store design, messaging, and service.
Most importantly, through it all we have stayed true to our values. I believe that is why we have been around for 113 years. We have known deeply who we are but have continued to evolve to meet our customers’ expectations.
I couldn’t be prouder of the Ben Bridge team. Many have been with us for decades. This is ultimately a people business, and our associates are the greatest.
There is now a different direction for the company, and it is time for me to step away. I am not yet sure what the next chapter of my career will be, but our people and Ben Bridge will always be part of me.