Pritesh Patel has been appointed president and CEO of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), effective August 4, 2025. He succeeds Susan Jacques who remains as a strategic advisor until her retirement at the end of the year.

Currently GIA senior vice president and chief operating officer, Patel joined the institute in 2015 as chief information officer. As COO, he was responsible for operational strategy, planning, developing and implementing innovative solutions. 

“Pritesh’s outstanding experience, character and understanding of the industry and the Institute are exceptionally well-suited to build upon GIA’s nearly 100 years of service to the industry and consumers, leading GIA to even greater successes,” said Lisa A. Locklear, chair of the GIA Board of Governors. “The Board of Governors, GIA’s global teams, the gem and jewellery industry and consumers owe great thanks to Susan Jacques. Her compassionate, visionary and unwavering leadership during 12 years as CEO and 30 years as a Governor and Board Chair leaves GIA well-positioned to meet the opportunities and challenges of today and those that will come in the future."

Patel said, “It is the honour of a lifetime to lead an institution as trusted and iconic as GIA. Over the past decade, I have had the privilege of working alongside some of the most dedicated and talented individuals in the industry – people who live our mission every day. I am inspired by GIA’s legacy of excellence and integrity, and I am committed to building on that foundation with humility, purpose and a bold vision for the future.” 

During her tenure as CEO, Jacques led GIA through significant changes in the industry, global economic and political shifts, disruptions, changing consumer preferences and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

She said, “I have been associated with GIA for most of my adult life, first as a student, then as a Governor and as CEO for the last 12 years. I have always been a passionate advocate for GIA, its important mission of trust and its unique role as an industry leader in the global gem and jewellery industry. I am delighted that the Board of Governors has selected Pritesh as my successor and the next leader of this amazing organization. I, along with our GIA colleagues, will do everything we can to ensure his success. I am confident that GIA’s best days are ahead.”