Two Members Honored with Alumni Awards
March 14, 2014
The GIA Global Alumni Awards recognize members who exhibit leadership, demonstrate service to the gem and jewelry industry, and actively support the association’s growth through continuing education and innovative programs. The recipients were selected from the 2014 Alumni Chapter Award winners.
International Leadership Award
Austin native Angela Alba graduated magna cum laude from Concordia University in 2001 with bachelors of art degrees in history and behavioral science. She pursued her passion for jewelry by earning the Graduate Diamonds, Graduate Pearls and Accredited Jewelry Professional diplomas from GIA and continues to work on her gem identification course to earn her GG. Alba established her own jewelry line in 2002 and launched an online business in 2010.
Alba, secretary of the Houston Chapter, plays an integral role in spreading word about the chapter and the benefits of attending meetings. She does this through the Houston Texas GIA Alumni Association Facebook page she set up and maintains, by writing newsletters to members and inviting other people in the jewelry industry to attend local meetings. Alba also books speakers for chapter meetings, coordinated the arrangements for a field trip that included a brunch and a museum tour and helped the chapter’s new social coordinator officer plan Houston's first social networking gathering.
Alba, who also drives fellow Austin alums to the Houston chapter meetings, said she enjoys organizing alumni events and helping GIA students achieve their educational goals, often answering questions about GIA, such as the e-learning program, lab classes and scholarships, and encouraging alums to continue their education.
International Achievement Award
Jennifer Cleveland loves the gem and jewelry industry so much, she admits to carrying rocks in her pockets as a child. Joining the family business, Skyline Diamond Setters, was an easy career choice. A GIA education helped prepare her for the many hats she has worn in her 30-plus years at work: office manager, pearl stringing, jewelry sales and most of the gemstone purchases for the store. Cleveland has her Graduate Diamonds and Graduate Pearls diplomas and is close to earning her GG through e-Learning.
Cleveland, secretary of the Michigan Chapter, has worked tirelessly to aid the chapter in two of its core goals: more accommodating meeting places and active recruitment of new members. She is known as a tireless friend of GIA’s Michigan Alumni Chapter.
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