As of Tuesday, April 16, Karen Rentmeesters, who is currently active as Chief Officer PR & Industry Relations at AWDC, will take on the role of CEO ad interim within the organization. Rentmeesters has been with AWDC for 15 years now, and the Board of Directors is choosing someone who knows the organization well and can fall back on a lot of expertise thanks to years of experience. In the coming period, Karen will focus on carrying out ongoing business and appointing a new, permanent CEO for AWDC.
“To fill the position of ad interim CEO, we deliberately chose someone with extensive experience in and knowledge of the diamond industry, a large network, and the necessary expertise. We are confident that Karen will take on this role with great enthusiasm and that, while waiting for a permanent CEO, she will flawlessly guide AWDC through its ongoing dossiers,” says Isidor Mörsel, Chairman of AWDC’s Board of Directors.
“I am honored to be asked to take on this position and will be fully committed to this new, temporary role,” says Karen Rentmeesters. “In the coming period, together with the entire management team, I will do everything in my power to continue Ari Epstein’s good work while providing the necessary peace of mind.
This is in anticipation of the arrival of a new, permanent CEO. The entire diamond industry is in the midst of a period of transformation towards greater transparency and faces challenging times. As a sector federation representing the interests of the Antwerp diamond companies, it is important that we guide them through this period and offer them stability. I will be fully committed to that”.
