New York: The Diamond Empowerment Fund’s (DEF) annual board meeting held last month elected Anna Martin President of its Board of Directors. Martin is Senior Vice President Global Development and Beneficiation for Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

Martin follows the successful five-year term of outgoing board president Phyllis Bergman. Bergman oversaw the growth of the Diamond Empowerment Fund to embrace a global mission of education empowerment for youth from diamond communities around the world. She also championed the organization’s consumer messaging strategy, ‘Diamonds Do Good’, a focus Martin will continue.

“Never has there been a more important time to communicate to the next generation of diamond purchasers the positive narrative surrounding diamonds” says Martin. “I am confident that with the depth of talent on our board from all across the diamond pipeline, and with the support of every member of the industry, we will impress on consumers that ‘Diamonds Do Good’.

Martin’s fellow leadership team includes Vice Presidents Ed Hrabak, retiring Signet Jewelers COO who will remain on the board in his personal capacity, and Varda Shine; Secretary Yancy Weinrich, Senior Vice President of Reed Jewellery Group, and Treasurer Richard Slomovitz, CFO of Rush Communications.

The Diamond Empowerment Fund also welcomes to the board Stuart Lee, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer of Signet Jewellers, Inc. Lee said, “I’m proud to be following in Ed’s footsteps and look forward to working with Anna and the rest of the Diamond Empowerment Fund board as we find ways to ensure the world indeed understands that ‘Diamonds Do Good’.”

The Diamond Empowerment Fund’s 2017 Diamonds Do Good Awards Gala will be held June 4 at the Four Seasons Ballroom, Las Vegas.