The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) has appointed its PR and industry relations chief officer, Karen Rentmeesters, as temporary CEO after former CEO Ari Epstein’s departure.

AWDC earlier announced Epstein’s resignation, which took effect on April 16, 2024. According to the organisation, Rentmeesters will focus on carrying out ongoing business and appointing a new, permanent CEO for AWDC. 

“To fill the position of ad interim CEO, we deliberately chose someone with extensive experience in and knowledge of the diamond industry, a large network and the necessary expertise,” remarked Isidor Mörsel, chairman of AWDC's Board of Directors. 

Rentmeesters has been with AWDC for 15 years. She commented, “The entire diamond industry is in the midst of a period of transformation towards greater transparency and faces challenging times. As a sector federation representing the interests of the Antwerp diamond companies, it is important that we guide them through this period and offer them stability. I will be fully committed to that.”

Rentmeesters graduated from the Catholic University of Leuven in 2002, holding a Master’s degree in Communication Sciences, after which she started her career in the Belgian media industry. She joined AWDC’s PR & Communications department in February 2010, focusing on establishing and maintaining relationships with local and international industry stakeholders, setting up and implementing communications and marketing strategies and developing innovative events, content and tools to serve the Antwerp diamond community.