At its recent meeting in Carlsbad, California, the Board of Governors of the Gemological Institute of America, Inc. (GIA) announced the addition of two new members – Lisa Bridge, President and CEO of Ben Bridge Jeweler and Dr. Wendy Bohrson, professor of geology at the Colorado School of Mines.
The global GIA research team met just before the Board of Governors meeting for their annual review of scientific discoveries in gemology, instrumentation and related fields. Some aspects of the research will be discussed September 7-10, 2025, at Converge, the important gem and jewelry conference bringing together the American Gem Society (AGS) Conclave and the GIA Symposium. Registration for Converge will open in January 2025.
“Lisa’s business acumen, leadership of an iconic American jewelry retailer and deep connection to the jewelry industry, along with Wendy’s scientific and academic expertise and innovative research in geology, bring important perspectives to our Board,” said Lisa Locklear, Chair of the GIA Board of Governors.
“These two outstanding professionals and accomplished leaders join the other prominent members of the GIA Board in their vital role of strategically guiding the Institute in fulfilling our important consumer protection mission,” said Susan Jacques, GIA President and CEO.
As President and CEO of Ben Bridge Jeweler, a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, Lisa Bridge is the fifth generation of the Bridge family to lead the company. She graduated with honors from Washington University in St. Louis; she holds her GIA Graduate Gemologist diploma and a Certified Gemologist title from AGS.
Bridge is the immediate past president of the board of AGS; she serves on the board of Jewelers for Children and is a member of the Advisory Committee of the Black in Jewelry Coalition. Her dynamic leadership was recently recognized with the NextGen Award from Diamonds Do Good, and Ben Bridge Jeweler received the 2024 GEM Award for Retail Excellence.
Dr. Wendy Bohrson is a geology and geological engineering professor at the Colorado School of Mines. With a distinguished career in research and education, she has made substantial contributions to geoscience over her 35-year academic career. Dr. Bohrson holds a Ph.D. in geology from UCLA and a Bachelor of Science in geology and biology from Stanford University.
She has worked extensively on magma systems and contributed to major research collaborations on volcanic processes. Dr. Bohrson received numerous accolades from her peers and students, and she mentors many graduate and undergraduate students in geosciences.
Before the Board of Governors meeting, nearly 80 experts, including GIA scientists and researchers (more than 20 with advanced degrees), eight members of the GIA Board of Governors and specialized outside experts gathered for the Institute’s 14th annual research meeting.
During the three-day conference, GIA researchers’ scientific presentations included important advances in diamond, colored stone and pearl identification and testing, specialized instrumentation development including the use of AI and machine learning, advances in origin determination for specific gemstones, field gemology reports and other aspects of GIA’s unique research program.
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