Michael Rae, Chief Executive Officer

Michael Rae is the Responsible Jewellery Council’s Chief Executive Officer. Previously, Michael worked for almost 17 years with WWF (formerly known as the World Wildlife Fund), leading WWF’s international work on mining. Michael led the WWF Mining Certification Evaluation Project and has been a member of several global mining and minerals initiatives, including the IUCN Working Group on Extractive Industry and Biodiversity and the IUCN/International Council on Mining and Metals Advisory Group and the Working Group for the GRI Mining and Metals Sector Supplement.

Michael is a board member of the International Cyanide Management Institute.

As CEO, Michael is responsible for the overall management and direction of the Council as well as acting as the Council’s key spokesperson. Michael reports directly to the Board of the Council.

Email: michael.rae@responsiblejewellery.com

Catherine Sproule, Chief Operations Officer

Catherine Sproule joined the organisation as Director, North American Operations in November, 2006 and took on the role of Chief Operations Officer in November 2007. Catherine is the primary representative of the RJC Management Team in North America, with the key tasks of establishing and maintaining the organisation’s relationships with Members and stakeholders in Canada and the United States. In addition, she is responsible for the management of RJC’s global finances and administration.

Catherine has a wide range of jewellery industry experience. In her most recent role as executive director of Canada’s jewellery trade association, she played a lead role in representing the association’s efforts in the mining and government sectors in Canada. She also built a profile for the Canadian jewellery market in the inter-national arena. Additionally, Catherine was the Canadian PR Director for the Diamond Trading Company’s Diamond Information Centre. She has also held the role of Senior Director, Communications, with Canada’s national television broadcaster, CBC.

Email: catherine.sproule@responsiblejewellery.com

Fiona Solomon, Standards Development Director

Fiona joined the RJC in October 2007, based in Melbourne. Her role is to oversee the design and implementation of the RJC’s Certification programs, including the development of standards and supporting resources for Members, the accreditation and training of auditors, and RJC’s responsibilities as a member of the ISEAL Alliance. She works with a wide range of stakeholders to support the RJC’s mission for responsible business practices, with a view to continual improvement of the RJC’s Certification programs and their impact.

Prior to joining the RJC, Fiona led a small team of researchers focused on social and sustainability issues of the minerals industry at Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) for more than ten years. She was seconded to WWF to project manage the Mining Certification Evaluation Project during 2002-2004. She has authored and contributed to many reports and publications on social and ethical accountability and sustainable development in the mining industry, and in technology governance more generally.

Fiona has a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons 1) and a PhD in philosophy of technology both from the University of Queensland, Australia; along with postgraduate study in international political economy and global environmental politics at the University of Melbourne.

Email: fiona.solomon@responsiblejewellery.com

Mila Bonini, Communications Manager

Mila Bonini joined the organisation as Communications Manager on December 1st, 2008. She is responsible for the development and execution of the Council’s communications and public relations efforts. She communicates those efforts to the Council’s membership, industry stakeholders, non-industry stakeholders (such as non-governmental organizations), trade and consumer media. Additionally, she is responsible for the development and execution of the Council’s support materials and services including; newsletter, website content, news releases. She also coordinates the media efforts for the Council and is in charge to maintain and enhance the Council’s brand identity.

In her most recent role she held the senior administrative/ communications role with the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) for seven years. She was the primary contact for CIBJO’s membership communications, coordinator of enquires and was the exclusive liaison for the Confederation’s annual Congress. She contributed to the achievement of CIBJO’s Special Consultative Status granted by the United Nations, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

In her previous career she has been involved in the trade and fashion shows, organizing trade fair exhibitions, social events and pharmaceutical conferences internationally.

Email: mila.bonini@responsiblejewellery.com

Anna Leach, Administration Manager

Anna Leach joined the RJC as its Administrative Services Coordinator in August 2009 and was promoted to Administrative Manager in February 2010. Anna is the RJC’s primary contact for RJC Member Certification, Training and Auditor Accreditation.

In her previous career, Anna worked for Millennium Hotels & Resorts New Zealand, a global hotel company that operates over 100 hotels around the world including over 30 hotels in New Zealand. Anna’s work revolved around reviewing and reporting financial performance, implementing policies & procedures, quality control and leading project work. Her most recent project was implementing Environmental & Sustainability Practices throughout the Group. With a strong interest in Fair Trade, Anna has previously undertaken voluntary work for Trade Aid New Zealand who are importers, wholesalers & retailers of fair trade products.

With over ten years in the travel and tourism industry combined with a Diploma in Business Technology, Anna has developed extensive industry knowledge along with strong administration skills.

Email: anna.leach@responsiblejewellery.com

Helen d’Ambrosio, Administration Coordinator

Helen d’Ambrosio joined the RJC as Administrative Coordinator in June, 2011. Helen’s role includes looking after the financial administration of the Council and providing key administrative support to the RJC Management team.

Helen brings a wide range of experience to the role both from the public and private sectors. Helen is an experienced administrator, personal assistant and financial administrator. Additionally, Helen is fluent in French and Italian.

Email: helen.dambrosio@responsiblejewellery.com

Marieke van der Mijn, Standards Coordinator

Marieke joined the RJC as Standards Coordinator in January 2012.  Marieke is based in the London office and her role is to support RJC’s standards development, certification, and monitoring and evaluation activities.

Marieke has an anthropology background, with a strong emphasis on responsible supply chains. She holds an MA in Environment, Development and Policy researching corporate codes of conduct in the electronics industry and for her MSc in Social Anthropology she carried out fieldwork at a community-based ecotourism project in Ecuador. She also has jewellery industry and artisanal mining knowledge through her experience at the Fairtrade Foundation working with the Fairtrade and Fairmined gold program. Additionally, Marieke is fluent in Dutch and semi fluent in Spanish and German.

Email: marieke.vandermijn@responsiblejewellery.com

Chinelo Etiaba, Membership Coordinator

Chinelo joined the RJC as Membership Coordinator in February 2012. Chinelo is based in the London office. Her role is focused on providing member service and liaison to the RJC’s international membership. Chinelo has a degree in Political Science and a Masters in Development Studies, along with extensive experience in office administration and customer relationship management.

Her previous role as Membership and Administration Coordinator of the Croydon Chamber of Commerce and Industry involved developing a member communications strategy that increased member retention; improving and developing membership benefits and introducing a system for effectively maintaining the membership database. Chinelo is fluent in Igbo.

Email: chinelo.etiaba@responsiblejewellery.com