New York: The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) has elected Brandee Dallow, director of Rio Tinto Diamonds North America Representative Office, as the new president of the WJA International Board of Directors. Dallow succeeds Andrea Hansen of LuxeIntelligence. Jenny Luker of Platinum Guild International has been appointed president elect.

The 2016-2017 WJA board’s executive committee also includes Kristie Nicolosi of The Kingswood Company as treasurer; plus two newly elected vice presidents: Michelle Peranteau of Baume et Mercier (administration) and Desiree Hanson of the NPD Group (chapter affairs).

“It is such an honor to be chosen to lead the Women’s Jewelry Association for the next two years,” said Dallow. “This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly, and I will endeavor to represent the WJA with the utmost transparency and boldness.”

The WJA also elected three US regional directors to further bridge communications between the international board and each of the WJA chapters: Danielle Ingwer Cohen of Leo Ingwer (Eastern); Sara Commers of Commers Custom Jewelers (Central) and Clare Ullman of Clare Ullman Designs (Western).

Ten newcomers, including two men for the first time in WJA’s history, have also been elected to the board. They include Cohen and Commers, as well as: Craig Danforth of the GIA, international affairs co-chair; Monica Elias of Elias World Media (EWM), sponsorship chair; Rebecca Moskal of Communique, events co-chair; Erin O’Donnell of Emerald Expositions; Maren Rosen of Stuller; Benjamin Smithee of The Smithee Group, education chair; Lauren Thompson of Jewelers of America, public relations coordinator and Deborah Yonick of Yonick Writing Co., WJA Unplugged director.