(IDEX Online News) – The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) has elected Brandee Dallow, director of Rio Tinto Diamonds North America Representative Office, as the new president of the WJA International Board of Directors. Dallow succeeds Andrea Hansen of LuxeIntelligence. Jenny Luker of Platinum Guild International has been appointed president elect.

The 2016-2017 WJA board’s executive committee also includes Kristie Nicolosi of The Kingswood Company as treasurer; plus two newly elected vice presidents: Michelle Peranteau of Baume et Mercier (administration) and Desiree Hanson of the NPD Group (chapter affairs).

“It is such an honor to be chosen to lead the Women’s Jewelry Association for the next two years,” said Dallow. “This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly, and I will endeavor to represent the WJA with the utmost transparency and boldness.”

The WJA also elected three US regional directors to further bridge communications between the international board and each of the WJA chapters: Danielle Ingwer Cohen of Leo Ingwer (Eastern); Sara Commers of Commers Custom Jewelers (Central) and Clare Ullman of Clare Ullman Designs (Western).

Ten newcomers, including two men for the first time in WJA’s history, have also been elected to the board. They include Cohen and Commers, as well as: Craig Danforth of the GIA, international affairs co-chair; Monica Elias of Elias World Media (EWM), sponsorship chair; Rebecca Moskal of Communique, events co-chair; Erin O’Donnell of Emerald Expositions; Maren Rosen of Stuller; Benjamin Smithee of The Smithee Group, education chair; Lauren Thompson of Jewelers of America, public relations coordinator and Deborah Yonick of Yonick Writing Co., WJA Unplugged director.

Board members continuing for additional two-year terms include: Lita Asscher of Royal Asscher, international affairs co-chair; Ruth Batson of the American Gem Society; Katie Dominesey of JCK Events; Peggy Jo Donahue of Donahue Communications, communications chair; Cindy Edelstein of Jeweler’s Resource Bureau, membership co-chair; Suzan Flamm of Jewelers Vigilance Committee, bylaws co-chair; Hayley Henning of True North Gems, international affairs co-chair; Debbie Hiss of Debbie Hiss Consulting, mentorship chair; Natalie Humphrey of Forevermark, events co-chair; Becka Johnson Kibby of The Edge Retail Academy, new chapter development chair; Regina Leadem, luxury goods consultant; Allison Neumann of Allison Neumann Studio, bylaws co-chair; Michelle Orman of Last Word Communications and Fran Pennella of Benali Consulting, membership co-chair. Serving as director ex-officio is Lisa Slovis-Mandel of Lisa Slovis Metalsmiths, WJA Foundation president, who is also taking on the latter role for the first time.

Retiring board members include WJA Past Presidents Ann Arnold, Phyllis Bergman, Kendra Bridelle, Tryna Kochanek, Anna Martin and Yancy Weinrich.

Other members rotating off the board include Lisa Cochin, Peggy Kirby, Nancy Moeller, Janel Russell, and Diane Warga-Arias. Arnold also concluded her two-year term as president of the WJA Foundation.