WJA Names Excellence Honorees

RAPAPORT... The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) has announced thehonorees for its Awards for Excellence, with its mentorship prize going to aman for the first time. Its Visionary Awards recognize females who have taken on aleadership role within the industry. The ceremony takes place in New York inJuly. "Our Visionary Awards will go to women who have beentrailblazers, and the driving forces of leadership in their companies," WJAboard president Jenny Luker said Tuesday. "Our Cindy Edelstein Mentorship Awardwill go to a man who provides exemplary support and mentorship to women." The organization will present the Cindy Edelstein award toMark Hanna, chief marketing officer of Richline Group. He is the first male toreceive the prize in its four-year history. Previous recipients include CindyEdelstein, Peggy Jo Donahue and Bev Hori. The WJA aims to aid the advancement of women in the jewelryand watch industry. The Visionary Award honorees are as follows: Carol Pennelli, president of David Yurman, overseesall functions for the jewelry retailer other than design and creative. Stellene Volandes, editor-in-chief of Town &Country magazine since 2016, is the author of Jeweler: MastersMavericks, and Visionaries of Modern Design, a book on the industry. Image: Mark Hanna. (Women's Jewelry Association)