ethical metalsmiths appoints BARBARA WHEAT as EXECutive director
In today's world, there is increasing focus on ethics, social responsibility and sustainability in industries across the board. This is also true in the gem and jewelry sector. One of the most prominent organizations in this area is Ethical Metalsmiths, founded in 2004. Made up of a community of hundreds of caring buyers, jewelers, designers and suppliers, EM is committed to transparent, responsible and environmentally-sound practices for all facets of the gem and jewelry industry.
Recently, EM appointed Barbara Wheat as Executive Director, a person known throughout the industry to uphold these same values, who has been active with EM for the past seven years. As EM bids welcome to Barbara, it adds a heartfelt thank you and farewell to the outgoing ED, Alexandra Hart, who will remain active with the association.
“We are so fortunate that Barbara Wheat expressed interest in the open Ethical Metalsmiths Executive Director position," says Monica Stephenson, President of EM. "Many of our Board members knew her through her extensive work in the jewelry industry, particularly around the theme of responsibility. Her deep experience as the ED of other industry organizations, as well as her involvement with other non-profits such the Jewelry Industry Summit made her uniquely qualified in a strong field of applicants. Barbara has been a member of EM for a number of years, so we are particularly delighted to welcome her into our community as the hub of everything we do around education, connection, and action. Welcome, Barbara!”
"I am delighted to assume this position with an organization that promotes such high values and that has made such an important impact in the gem and jewelry field through education, connections and action," comments Barbara. "I look forward to working with this great team."
By Cynthia Unninayar
Recently, EM appointed Barbara Wheat as Executive Director, a person known throughout the industry to uphold these same values, who has been active with EM for the past seven years. As EM bids welcome to Barbara, it adds a heartfelt thank you and farewell to the outgoing ED, Alexandra Hart, who will remain active with the association.
“We are so fortunate that Barbara Wheat expressed interest in the open Ethical Metalsmiths Executive Director position," says Monica Stephenson, President of EM. "Many of our Board members knew her through her extensive work in the jewelry industry, particularly around the theme of responsibility. Her deep experience as the ED of other industry organizations, as well as her involvement with other non-profits such the Jewelry Industry Summit made her uniquely qualified in a strong field of applicants. Barbara has been a member of EM for a number of years, so we are particularly delighted to welcome her into our community as the hub of everything we do around education, connection, and action. Welcome, Barbara!”
"I am delighted to assume this position with an organization that promotes such high values and that has made such an important impact in the gem and jewelry field through education, connections and action," comments Barbara. "I look forward to working with this great team."
By Cynthia Unninayar
About Barbara Wheat
Barbara Wheat began working in the gem and jewelry industry in Bangkok, Thailand in the early 1990s as Managing Director of the Ho Group of publishing companies, producing magazines covering the Thai gem and jewelry export market. During her 15 years living in Bangkok, she started her own consulting and public relations company attracting the Thai Gem & Jewelry Traders Association as her main client. She also worked with the Thai Department of Export Promotion and the Ministry of Commerce on promoting Thailand as a gem and jewelry hub.
Due to her expertise and understanding of Thailand’s rise from a cottage industry to one of the world’s major producers in gem and diamond cutting and jewelry production, she was invited to Madagascar in 2003 for ministry-level talks with the government as they planned changes to their gemstone export procedures.
In 2005, Barbara moved to New York when she was appointed Executive Director of the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) where she served for eight years.
In 2012, she returned to the consulting business, opening her company – Gemalytics LLC – where she provided consulting to clients throughout the world. Among her clients was Levin Sources where she played a role in research projects for the World Bank.
Barbara also served as Executive Vice President of the Natural Color Diamond Association (NCDIA) and as President of the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS). In 2018, she assumed the role of Vice President of International Relations and Business Development for the Ho Group of companies, where one of her responsibilities was the creation of the website Gem Legends & Luminaries, featuring prominent personalities in the gem and jewelry sector.
She is a partner with Joseph Menzie in Gemstone Expeditions, a company organizing gemstone mine tours to Colombia, Brazil, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, the USA, and other gem-producing nations. She also has been a regular contributor to many international magazines including Trends & Colours, JQ International, The Jewelry Book, Jewelry Showcase, The New Jeweller and TNJ Colors.
Barbara earned a Master of Science degree in Sustainability Management at Columbia University, and is an Accredited Gemologist from the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences.
Barbara Wheat began working in the gem and jewelry industry in Bangkok, Thailand in the early 1990s as Managing Director of the Ho Group of publishing companies, producing magazines covering the Thai gem and jewelry export market. During her 15 years living in Bangkok, she started her own consulting and public relations company attracting the Thai Gem & Jewelry Traders Association as her main client. She also worked with the Thai Department of Export Promotion and the Ministry of Commerce on promoting Thailand as a gem and jewelry hub.
Due to her expertise and understanding of Thailand’s rise from a cottage industry to one of the world’s major producers in gem and diamond cutting and jewelry production, she was invited to Madagascar in 2003 for ministry-level talks with the government as they planned changes to their gemstone export procedures.
In 2005, Barbara moved to New York when she was appointed Executive Director of the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) where she served for eight years.
In 2012, she returned to the consulting business, opening her company – Gemalytics LLC – where she provided consulting to clients throughout the world. Among her clients was Levin Sources where she played a role in research projects for the World Bank.
Barbara also served as Executive Vice President of the Natural Color Diamond Association (NCDIA) and as President of the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS). In 2018, she assumed the role of Vice President of International Relations and Business Development for the Ho Group of companies, where one of her responsibilities was the creation of the website Gem Legends & Luminaries, featuring prominent personalities in the gem and jewelry sector.
She is a partner with Joseph Menzie in Gemstone Expeditions, a company organizing gemstone mine tours to Colombia, Brazil, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, the USA, and other gem-producing nations. She also has been a regular contributor to many international magazines including Trends & Colours, JQ International, The Jewelry Book, Jewelry Showcase, The New Jeweller and TNJ Colors.
Barbara earned a Master of Science degree in Sustainability Management at Columbia University, and is an Accredited Gemologist from the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences.