New York Career Fair

Fallon Bock is a fifth generation owner of Bachendorf’s Jewelry in Dallas, Texas. Fallon began working in the industry at fourteen years old, working off and on in many capacities for several years. She received her Graduate Gemologist diploma in September 2017 from the New York campus. Since GIA, Fallon began working for Leo Schachter Diamonds as a diamond quality specialist. Her long term goal is to return home to Dallas and help her father grow the family business.

Jewelry design is Wendy Brandes’s second career. Wendy started out as a business journalist at the Wall Street Journal and CNN, later switching to pop-culture coverage during her tenure as managing editor of People magazine’s website.

Her story-telling skills remain as strong as ever, but they’re now expressed in carat weight and grams of gold instead of word count. Wendy's “Fine Jewelry for Witty People" is distinguished by its stellar workmanship; warm, satin finish; hidden and symbolic details, including mechanical parts; and wry commentary on everything from history to iPhone addiction. Her award-winning 18K yellow gold collection is inspired by fascinating women, and all designs are limited-edition or one-of-a-kind.

Wendy has been featured in the New York Times, W Magazine, and British Vogue, and her jewelry has been spotted on Rihanna, model Bella Hadid and Britney Spears.

A third-generation member of the jewelry industry, Kathryn Kimmel has acquired a broad range of experience from retail management, to marketing and branding for a jewelry manufacturer.

During her more than 27-year tenure at GIA, she has played a key role in shaping the Institute’s activities, philosophy and development, in addition to establishing its marketing policies and objectives. As co-founder of GIA’s Jewelry Careers Fair, she is responsible for its creation and development as the industry’s pre-eminent annual recruitment event. She currently oversees all domestic and international marketing, public relations, communications and outreach efforts for GIA.

A firm believer in service to the community and the industry, Kimmel has also contributed much of her free time and energy to many industry organisations.
 

Greg Kwiat
CEO, Kwiat & Fred Leighton

Gregory Kwiat is the CEO of Kwiat & Fred Leighton, two of the leading jewelry brands in the United States. Kwiat is a more than 110-year old family-owned and operated diamond jewelry house, known for the fine quality cut of its diamonds and the craftsmanship of its jewelry. Fred Leighton is a world-renowned vintage jeweler, responsible for bringing historical jewels to the forefront of fashion. Mr. Kwiat’s vision has been transformational for both brands and their influence within their unique niches in the jewelry industry. With his extensive knowledge of diamonds, finance and the luxury market, Mr. Kwiat is sought out as an expert in his field and has made numerous appearances in the media, including 60 Minutes, CNN, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the NY Post, and E!. He is a board member of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, a trade organization promoting ethics, integrity and legal compliance in the jewelry industry.

Prior to joining his family in business, Mr. Kwiat was at Goldman Sachs in the Investment Banking Division, where he was one of the youngest professionals to be promoted to Vice President in the company’s history. Mr. Kwiat holds an MBA and a BS from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated summa cum laude. He is a member of the Young President’s Organization’s New York City Metro chapter.

Joel Schechter is an Executive Vice President at RICHLINE, a BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY company that focuses on the wholesale jewelry sector. Joel sold his company HONORA INDUSTRIES, an importer specializing in cultured pearls to RICHLINE in 2013. HONORA markets cultured pearls to fine independent jewelers, better department stores and on QVC, where Joel has been the on-air guest for over 20 years. He has spent his career traveling the world to buy all types of cultured pearls, diamonds and colored stones. Joel regularly travels to China to buy from some of the world’s largest pearl farmers. He has lectured on pearls and gems at industry shows, American Gem Society conclaves, jewelry store educational meetings and at GIA. Joel holds a GG diploma from GIA and a CG certificate from the American Gem Society.

Matthew Tratner is Director of Membership and Sales for Jewelers of America and DCA, positions he has held since 2013 and 2017 respectively. Tratner is also Publisher of National Jeweler, a position he has held since JA acquired the publication in February 2015. Prior to that Tratner was Chief Operating Officer of GemsAround, an online custom jewelry company and spent 8 years in sales and marketing for Bill Levine Diamond Jewelry now known as Maya J, servicing independent jewelry stores, and exhibiting at trade shows. Tratner is a GIA Accredited Jewelry Professional, a member of the 24K SEUS and serves on the board of the New York Jewelers Group.

As GIA’s general counsel and a senior vice president, Jennifer Wilson manages legal matters and provides oversight to the Institute’s human resources department. She also oversees student services for all GIA schools. Her key responsibility is to protect GIA’s reputation and ensure integrity across the company. She applies her business acumen, higher education experience and legal expertise to assisting members of GIA’s executive team, Board of Governors and other departments. Ms. Wilson earned her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate degrees from the University of San Diego, graduating magna cum laude and cum laude, respectively.