Mission & Governance

Mission Statement

GIA's mission is to ensure the public trust in gems and jewellery by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academic study, science and professionalism through education, research, laboratory services and instrument development.

Brilliance Through Diversity – GIA’s Inclusion & Diversity Philosophy

At GIA our mission is to protect the public trust; therefore, we must reflect the public. We believe that inclusion and diversity go hand in hand. Our culture is one in which every employee feels a sense of pride, safety and belonging; valued for who they are and the unique background, experiences and perspectives they bring to the Institute. To succeed, each of us must live our values of leadership, teamwork, respect, integrity and results, and hold ourselves and each other accountable, not just within our Institute, but within the global gem and jewellery industry. At GIA we assume positive intent as we listen with an open heart and an open mind; committed to continuous learning and personal growth. Not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because this is who we are.

GIA Board of Governors

The GIA Board of Governors is the steward of the public interest.  The board helps to direct the strategy of the Institute to ensure that the mission and vision of GIA are followed in all decisions; that the reputation of GIA is preserved and continues to grow globally; and that the financial goals of the Institute are met.

Each governor offers a unique perspective, based on their professional experience in retail, research, education, finance, law, manufacturing and other areas; several have extensive international experience.

GIA’s first advisory board of retail jewellers was organised by Robert Shipley in 1932 in order to garner support for gemmological training. Having a board of directors is one of the requirements for a public benefit non-profit organisation in the United States. All of GIA’s global activities fall under the same governing concept.

Lisa A. Locklear, Chair
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Avanir Pharmaceuticals

Stephen F. Kahler, Vice Chair
Senior Advisor, Strategic Planning & Business Development for Everidge

Dave Bindra
Vice President of Operations and Head of Acquisitions, B&B Fine Gems

Lake Dai
Applied AI Professor at Carnegie Mellon University

Barbara L. Dutrow, Ph.D.
Gerald Cire and Lena Grand Williams Alumni Professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at Louisiana State University

Kiko Harvey
Associate Senior Vice President of Audit Services
University of Southern California (USC)

Susan M. Jacques
President and CEO, GIA

Robert Andrew ‘Andy’ Johnson
CEO, Diamond Cellar Holdings, LLC

Lawrence Ma
Chief Executive, Lee Heng Diamond Group
Founding President of the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong

Russell A. Mehta
Managing Director, Rosy Blue (India) Pvt. Ltd. 

Thomas M. Moses
Executive Vice President and Chief Laboratory and Research Officer, GIA

Jeffrey E. Post, Ph.D.
Curator-in-charge, National Gem and Mineral Collection, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Tammy Storino
Experienced global operations and finance leader

Marcus ter Haar
Experienced diamond industry executive

John W. Valley, Ph.D.
Charles R. Van Hise Professor, Department of Geoscience University of Wisconsin – Madison

Executive Staff

GIA’s Executive Staff consists of a diverse group of highly experienced professionals from both within and outside the gem and jewellery industry. Responsible for carrying out the Institute’s mission to protect and ensure the public trust globally, the executive team follows a strict code of ethics and ensures that each initiative GIA undertakes is driven by its consumer-protection mission and executed with dedication and commitment. The executive staff are responsible for daily operations of the Institute or its subsidiaries, and promote and continue the success and growth of GIA.

SCHOOL AND LABORATORY LEADERSHIP

GIA’s global laboratories and schools are led by a group of experienced professionals and leaders in their respective fields.  Each school and laboratory boasts at its helm a director with a wide breadth of knowledge and intimate understanding of their individual location.  The laboratory and education directors bridge the gap between the executive staff and students or lab employees while ensuring the smooth and ethical running of their school or laboratory.