Women are increasingly occupying top industry and corporate positions in the gem and jewellery trade, often redefining leadership with fresh takes on the issues. JNA profiles some of the female leaders who are playing a pivotal role in setting the agenda across sectors.

Feriel Zerouki has been leading the conversation in the diamond industry on various fronts. Now Chief Trade and Industry Officer at De Beers Group, she has shaped the miner's response to social issues through the years. Aside from building a set of ethical standards covering business, social and environmental issues, Zerouki had helped initiate Tracr to provide traceability and provenance for the diamond sector and GemFair to support the formalisation of the artisanal diamond mining sector.

As president of the World Diamond Council (WDC) for a little over two years, Zerouki has helped moved the needle on significant matters, from the expansion of the definition of “conflict diamonds” to a rapidly growing membership. Notable too is the WDC’s focus on female game changers in the diamond trade. 

Feriel Zerouki, president of World Diamond Council and Chief Trade and Industry Officer of De Beers Group

Zerouki also lends her voice to key industry matters in the wider spectrum. An active member of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), she leads or supports major initiatives such as The Blue List to review supply chain nomenclature. Her orbit includes other valiant female leaders taking up the cudgels for the trade, such as WDC Executive Director Eloidie Daguzan and De Beers Group’s Head of Ethical and Sustainable Value Chains Purvi Shah, lead of the CIBJO Jewelry Industry Supply Chain Nomenclature Committee. 

Another formidable female force is Iris van der Veken, a powerhouse on all things sustainability. Executive director of the Watch & Jewelry Initiative 2030, Van der Veken has systematically been making sustainability more approachable to – and achievable by the gem and jewellery industry. Aside from sustainability, gender equality is another of her important advocacies.

Female leaders also abound in the pearl sector. Ruby Autore brings a culture of collaborative and empowered leadership at Australian South Sea pearl company Autore, where she is head of marketing and international jewellery manager. She cites resilience, empathy and vision as qualities that define a strong female leader.

Ruby Autore, head of marketing and international jewellery manager at Autore

Philippine golden South Sea pearl specialist Jewelmer also benefits from the female perspective. Marion Branellec-De Guzman applies innovative initiatives to promote the national gem of the Philippines as the company’s chief marketing officer, while her sister Gaelle Branellec oversees jewellery production as senior vice president and creative director. 

The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT), meanwhile, is capably steered by CEO Noora Jamsheer, who also actively sets industry-wide agendas as vice president of CIBJO’s Pearl Commission. 

And speaking of labs, CEO Susan Jacques led the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) through significant changes in the industry, global economic and political shifts, disruptions, changing consumer preferences and the Covid-19 pandemic. Maintaining a steadfast focus on GIA’s mission to uphold consumer confidence in gems and jewellery, Jacques, who retired at the end of the year, is a tireless advocate for GIA’s extensive research programme, industry-leading education initiatives, specialised instrument development and scientifically backed, reliable laboratory services.

Susan Jacques, CEO of the Gemological Institute of America

Female visionaries have also risen to prominence in the jewellery retail world. Gina Drosos led America’s largest retail jeweller, Signet, as CEO for seven years before retiring last year. Cao Thi Ngoc Dung elevated Vietnam’s status in the global jewellery trade by innovating, upgrading and expanding Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company (PNJ) since she launched it in 1988. 

Young, committed and passionate women are likewise making their mark in the trade, pushing modern narratives to the forefront. Payal Shah is relentlessly pushing for greater use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry, going as far as to introducing an AI jewellery design platform L’Dezen by You.AI. Several younger female family members are learning the ropes of the family business, bringing new ideas and approaches to management and production. 

The efforts and example of female trade and business leaders are poised to inspire even more women to play a pivotal role in making the gem and jewellery industry thrive. 

JGW & JNA: 42 Years, 42 Stories is an online series running throughout 2025 to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong and JNA. A new story of creativity, craftsmanship and innovation will be released every week. Subscribe to free JNA News Alerts to be notified when the next story is out.