Live April 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.鈥�1:30 p.m. Pacific / 1:00 p.m.鈥�4:30 p.m. Eastern
On-Demand Through July 31, 2026
Rob Bates has written about the jewelry industry for听nearly 35听years, with the last 27 spent at听JCK听and听JCKonline. His work has received 12 industry and editorial awards.鈥疕e is the author of four mystery novels set in the Diamond District. The latest,听Making听a Killing in 榴莲视频, was published in August by Camel Press. More information on his novels can be听seen听at .听
Brandee Dallow is the Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer at Grandview Klein 榴莲视频; the founder of Fine Girl Communications, a strategic communications consultancy helping businesses articulate and communicate responsible practices with clarity, credibility, and intention; and the board President of Community for Ethical Jewelry.听
With more than two decades of experience working across the jewelry and luxury sectors, Brandee has听advised听companies of all sizes, from independent retailers to global brands, on how to translate sourcing, ethics, and impact considerations into language consumers can understand and trust. Her work focuses on helping businesses ask better questions听of听their supply chains, avoid overclaiming, and communicate responsibility in ways that feel honest, grounded, and aligned with brand values.听
Brandee鈥檚 approach is practical and human, rooted in the belief that transparency and progress matter more than perfection when building long-term consumer trust.听
Grace Isley, Head of Retail Strategy & Partnerships, leads retail strategy and partnerships at the Natural Diamond Council, overseeing co-op advertising, education through the Diamond Learning Center, and strategic programs designed to support and elevate natural diamond retailers. For the past five years, she has partnered closely with independent and specialty retailers across North America to drive category growth and long-term consumer confidence for natural diamonds.
Johanna Levy joined GIA in July 2022 as Vice President of Environmental, Social, and Governance Programs to develop strategic initiatives that strengthen the Institute鈥檚 mission. In her role, Levy drives initiatives that integrate sustainable practices into every aspect of GIA鈥檚 operations. 听
Levy came to GIA from Firmenich, the largest privately owned company in the flavor and fragrance industry, where she built ambitious programs focused on supply chain transparency and net positive impact. Before Firmenich, she worked in-house and as a consultant for Google, Nestl茅, and the World Gold Council.听听
She holds a Master of Liberal Arts in environmental sciences from Harvard University, a Master of Science in sustainability from Columbia University, and a master鈥檚 degree in management from ESCP in France.听
Michael Magee鈥痠s a Senior Subject Specialist in Jewelry Manufacturing Arts Research & Development. An听award-winning听CAD designer, he brings 25 years of industry experience and more than 15 years of听expertise听in teaching CAD/CAM.听听
After earning his BS from Cornell University, he trained as a goldsmith and later听operated听his own custom jewelry studio before joining GIA in 2013. His work spans teaching, leading curriculum development for Jewelry Arts programs, and advancing research in emerging jewelry design and manufacturing technologies.听听
Magee has contributed to听Gems & Gemology,听Gems &听Jewellery, and听MJSA Journal, and was honored with the 2025 Jewelry Technology Leader Award at The Jewelry Symposium for his research in听AI-driven听jewelry design.听
Abe Sherman understands the challenges faced by retailers and vendors and is dedicated to consistently improving the jewelry industry. Since 2000, BIG has continually developed new approaches to overcome those challenges. BIG is comprised of three divisions, Balance to Buy鈩�, Plexus Performance Groups鈩� and The BIG Network鈩�. 听
Balance to Buy鈩� is an online merchandising system that interfaces with more than 36 point-of-sale systems. BIG鈥檚 consulting team of merchandising professionals work closely with retailers to improve cash flow, inventory performance and net profit. Plexus Performance Groups鈩� are invitation-only peer groups that evaluate member鈥檚 organizations and marketplaces, and benchmarks inventory and financials within group members. Merchandising and financial education is at the core of Plexus training. The BIG Network鈩� facilitates retailers sharing sales and inventory data with more than 100 of the industry鈥檚 top brands.听 听
Sherman听is the author of many published articles and newsletters听that can be found at听听
Morgan, who has been with Stuller since 2013, currently serves as the听Vice听President of听Sales and听Marketing, where she continues to make a significant impact. She brings bold vision and fearless energy to every initiative. Morgan thrives on innovation, excels in fast-paced environments, and听isn鈥檛听afraid to challenge the status quo. She began her time at Stuller in merchandising, focusing on both fine jewelry and bridal lines before moving into digital merchandising and marketing in 2019.听
Over the years, Morgan has taken on increasing responsibilities, leading various departments to strengthen Stuller鈥檚 brand and engage customers effectively. Her entrepreneurial spirit and creative instincts drive growth, inspire her team, and keep the brand one step ahead.听听
She holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in communication and听culture-based听studies from Millsaps College. At any opportunity, Morgan enjoys spending time with her family, enjoying beach trips,听and traveling whenever possible.听
Sara Yood is President, CEO & General Counsel at the Jewelers Vigilance Committee听(JVC), a not-for-profit trade association that serves as the ethical heart of the global jewelry industry. She leads the听108-year-old association with a dynamic vision for the future, which has earned JVC the nickname听鈥済uardians of integrity.鈥澨�听
Responding to the complex issues of international commerce today, she delivers expansive legal education, compliance, regulatory, employee, and operational strategies that build commanding foundations to scale global business opportunities and transform positive industry impact.听听
Her diverse body of experience across intellectual property law, fashion law, diamond grading, animal products used in jewelry, anti-money laundering, sanctions compliance, sustainability, import and export dynamics, and responsible sourcing has made Yood a sought-after speaker and keynote. She serves on the Board of Directors of the United States Kimberley Process Authority, sits on the Standards Committee of the Responsible听Jewellery听Council, and is the President of CIBJO’s Ethics Commission.听听
Yood is a graduate of Fordham University School of Law and Washington University in St. Louis. She is also the Chair of the Board of Trustees for New York City Master Chorale and performs with the Master Chorale throughout the year. She听resides听on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.听