GIA Names New Board Chair

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has appointed Lisa Locklear as its board chair and welcomed two new governors.

Locklear, who has served as a governor on the GIA’s board since 2012, is the senior vice president and chief financial officer at Avanir Pharmaceuticals, the institute said Tuesday. Stephen Kahler, senior adviser of strategic planning and business development for Everidge, will become vice chair. He has been on the board since 2016.

The GIA also appointed Lake Dai, a technology expert and adjunct professor of applied artificial intelligence at Carnegie Mellon University, as governor. Dai will be joined in the new position by Russell Mehta, managing director of polished-diamond manufacturer Rosy Blue.

Meanwhile, four governors have retired from their positions. They include previous chair Dione Kenyon, past CEO of the Jewelers Board of Trade (JBT), and previous vice chair Thomas Insley, chief financial officer at Dermata Therapeutics. Barbara Sawrey, dean emerita at the University of California San Diego, and Elliot Tannenbaum, senior principal of Leo Schachter Diamond Group, are also exiting.

“Lake and Russell bring a wealth of expertise and experience that will complement and diversify the board’s strengths,” said Locklear. “The four departing governors have been exceptional board members and made significant contributions to governing the institute during their more than 40 years of combined service to the GIA.”

Image: The GIA board of governors. (Gemological Institute of America)