WJA Announces Nominees for 2015 Awards for Excellence

New York, NY, July 15, 2015 (Newswire.com) -  The Women's Jewelry Association named its Awards for Excellence nominees for 2015 in categories including Design, Manufacturer/Dealer/Supplier, Retail -15 Doors or More, Retail - Fewer Than 15 Doors, Non-Traditional Retail, Sales, Marketing & Communication, Editorial Media, Special Services, and Watches. The nominees for these awards will only discover if they've won on the evening of the association's annual Awards for Excellence gala, to be held Monday, July 27, 2015, at Pier 60 on the Chelsea Piers in New York City. The nominees are:

Category I - Design      

Emily Armenta - Armenta

Pamela Froman - Pamela Froman Fine Jewelry

Suzanne Kalandjian - Suzanne Kalan

Monica Rich Kosann - Monica Rich Kosann

Category II - Manufacturer/Dealer/Supplier      

Karishma Javeri - SDC Designs, LLC

Sylvie Levine - Sylvie Collection

Zina Sherman - Zina Sterling

Laurie Watt - Mayer & Watt

Category IIIa - Retail - 15 doors or more      

Lisa Bridge - Ben Bridge Jewelers

Eve Rogers - Graff

Category IIIb - Retail - Fewer than 15 doors      

Ellen Hertz - Max's

Veronica Guarino - Louis Anthony Jewelers

Tara Silberberg - The Clay Pot

Melissa Quick - Steve Quick Jeweler

Category IIIc - Non-Traditional Retail      

Alexis Clarbour - Portero

Amy Jain/Daniella Yacobovsky - BaubleBar

Beth Gerstein - Brilliant Earth

Deborah Nicodemus - Moda Operandi

Ruth Thuston - Circa

Category IV - Sales & Merchandising         

Amy Levine - Gurhan

Tina Bruno - Stephen Webster

Jennifer Shanker - MUSE Showroom

Category V - Marketing & Communications      

Kirsten Darrow - Fred Meyer

Donna Jolly - American Gem Society

Rebecca Moskal - Communique 

Colby Shergalis - Forevermark

Category VI - Editorial Media      

Sarah Lisitski-Gerrish - Redbook Magazine

Eileen McClelland - Instore Magazine

Danielle Miele - Gem Gossip

Monica Stephenson - iDazzle      

Category VII - Special Services      

Donna Borrelli - JCK

Cindy Chandler - Smart Jewelry Show

Becka Johnson Kibby - The Edge Retail Academy

Heather Smith Nunez - Cartier

Category VIII - Watches      

Audrey Bogdonoff - Gucci

Agnes Campanile - Swatch Group/ Omega

Jeanine Drtina - Cartier

Michelle Peranteau - Baume & Mercier

At the annual gala, WJA will present three honorees with awards: Pam Mortensen, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of fine jewelry for JC Penney, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award; C. Clayton Bromberg, president of Underwood Jewelers, will receive the Ben Kaiser Award; and GUMUCHIAN will receive the Corporate Award.

The WJA Awards for Excellence gala has been a part of the industry's social calendar since 1984. At its gala, WJA brings together industry leaders to honor the best, and for a social evening that raises money for scholarships and grants for deserving women entering or working in our industry. WJA has once again awarded more than $30,000 in scholarships and grants in 2015. A raffle will again be mounted this year to raise additional funds for these important causes.

To purchase sponsorships or tickets for the Gala visit:

http://www.womensjewelryassociation.com/article.html?aid=550 

About the Women's Jewelry Association

WJA's mission is to help women in the jewelry and watch industries advance and develop professionally through networking, education, leadership development, and the provision of member services. For more information, visit www.womensjewelryassociation.com

CONTACT:  

Lauren Thompson
WJA Public Relations Chair
(646) 658-5817
[email protected]