Alrosa US Chief to Head Diamonds Do Good

RAPAPORT… Diamonds Do Good (DDG) has named Rebecca Foerster as its new president. She will succeed Anna Martin, who is departing after a four-year term.

Foerster, who is the president of Alrosa’s US operations, was elected to the position after having served on the DDG board for 10 years and on its executive committee for the past four years, the organization said last week.

“I am very confident Rebecca will continue the positive impact Diamonds Do Good has made for so many communities, and I look forward to working with her to encourage the industry to share these stories with their customers, as it is not only good for business, it is a responsibility for the entire industry,” Martin noted.

Martin, who is senior vice president of global development and beneficiation at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), will remain on the executive committee in the role of “immediate past president.” She will be joined by Kathy Corey, co-owner of Days Jewelers, who will serve as vice president, and Yancy Weinrich, chief growth officer at Reed Exhibitions, who will continue as treasurer.

In addition, DDG appointed 10 new board members:

Kim Crawford, vice president divisional manager of jewelry and watches for Macy’s
Nathalie Diamantis, CEO of Pomellato Group, Americas
Christina Gambale, co-owner of Greenwich St. Jewelers
Mark Klein, director of operations for Julius Klein Group
Avi Levy, president of International Gemological Institute
Kristie Nicolosi, CEO of Kingswood Company
Kealeboga Pule, founder and managing director of Nungu Diamonds in South Africa
Catherine Sarr, a designer for Almasika
Andrew Siegel, chief operating officer of Hamilton Jewelers
Iris Van der Veken, executive director of the Responsible Jewelry Council

Diamonds Do Good was founded in 2007 as the Diamond Empowerment Fund. The organization supports initiatives to help people in countries with significant economic dependence on the diamond trade.

Image: Rebecca Foerster. (Diamonds Do Good)