London, Wednesday 7th December – The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the leading global standard-setting organisation for the jewellery and watch industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Co-Chairs to its Standards Committee: Sara Yood, President & CEO of the Jewellers Vigilance Committee (JVC), and Eduard Stefanescu, Sustainability Manager of C.HAFNER GmbH + Co. KG. Their combined leadership brings deep regulatory, technical, supply-chain, and governance expertise to the committee responsible for shaping the future of RJC’s standards.
The Standards Committee plays a central role in ensuring RJC’s Codes of Practice, Chain of Custody and Laboratory Grown Materials standards remain robust, credible, and aligned with evolving global expectations on responsible business conduct. With expanding membership and increasing regulatory complexity, the committee’s work is more critical than ever.
NEW CO-CHAIRS
Sara Yood, Jewellers Vigilance Committee (JVC)
Sara Yood is a recognised authority in jewellery industry regulations, responsible business conduct, and consumer protection. As President & CEO of JVC, she leads the organisation’s work on legal guidance, compliance, and integrity in the U.S. jewellery market. Her expertise strengthens RJC’s commitment to alignment with international laws, due diligence frameworks, and high ethical standards.
“As I step into the co-chair role, in which I serve in my personal capacity, I am looking forward to continuing the complicated but rewarding work of updating and maintaining the various RJC standards. Not everyone would be excited to review and revise such a dense text, but I find the process invigorating. We know that the nuance of the text is vitally important to the businesses that rely on it, but many may not fully grasp just how many hands it passes through before approval. Serving as one of those layers is a challenging yet gratifying exercise.”
Eduard Stefanescu, C.HAFNER GmbH + Co. KG
Eduard Stefanescu is an industry leader in precious metals innovation and circularity. As Sustainability Manager at C.HAFNER, he oversees international operations in refining, recycling, and supply-chain integrity. A Geoscientist by profession, his technical and sustainability expertise supports the Standards Committee’s mission to advance responsible sourcing, environmental stewardship, and transparency. Also Chair of the European Precious Metals Federation’s Sustainability Platform and Chair of the German Precious Metals Federation’s Sustainability Working Committee.
“Little did I know that joining the Standards Committee as a guest would lead to becoming Co-Chair. The experience exceeded my expectations in terms of mutual respect and teamwork among diverse stakeholders from different sectors, collaborating to shape standards that drive progress across the industry.
Let me say, it is truly a remarkable industry – multifaceted and showcasing unique character. As the initiative representing the global jewellery and watch industry, RJC carries both a responsibility and an opportunity to address global challenges through standards that promote human and labour rights, environmental protection, and transparency in supply chains. My goal is to help RJC remain the frontrunner in developing standards and guidance that embed sustainability, ESG principles, transparency, and responsible supply chains— while encouraging collaboration and constructive dialogue across the industry.”
NEW STANDARDS COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The RJC also welcomes a diverse group of new committee members drawn from across the jewellery value chain, civil society, and consumer representation. Their combined experience strengthens the committee’s multi-stakeholder approach and reflects the breadth of expertise needed to shape globally credible standards.
INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES
Ben Ronca, Leach Garner
Leads financial strategy and metals procurement, with deep expertise in responsible sourcing, SEC and conflict minerals compliance, and environmental standards. He bridges financial oversight with materials compliance to support ethical and certified operations.
Donald Bray, Fura Gems
Chief Sustainability Officer overseeing global ESG strategy, social performance, and responsible sourcing across high-risk regions. Brings expertise in biodiversity, carbon reduction, and alignment with GRI, IRMA, TSM, ICMM, and RJC standards.
Melanie Mater, De Beers
Drives ethical, sustainable, and transparent value chains, overseeing human rights due diligence, AML compliance, and the Best Practice Principles programme. A leader in responsible sourcing and stakeholder engagement.
Valerie Michel, Rosy Blue
Leads global initiatives on ethical sourcing, supply-chain transparency, ESG compliance, and audit oversight. Active advocate for sustainability, women’s empowerment, and human rights across the jewellery and gemstone sectors.
Wafa Jaffery, DMCC
Director of the Dubai Diamond Exchange and overseer of the Dubai Good Delivery Accreditation Program. Longstanding World Diamond Council board member, supporting Kimberley Process compliance and ethical trade.
Alethea Inns, Gemological Science International (GSI)
Global leader in gemological education with technical expertise in diamond grading and coloured stone identification. Develops innovative training programmes and previously served as Director of Education at AGS.
Raluca Angel, Natural Diamond Council
Leads global advocacy, policy engagement, and industry alignment for the NDC. Recognised expert in EU policy, sustainability, transparency, and diamond classification, helping shape global narratives and regulatory frameworks.
NON-INDUSTRY MEMBERS
Antonino Serra Cambaceres, Consumer Representative
An Argentine lawyer with over 30 years’ experience in consumer protection, sustainability, digital economy, and regulatory development. Former leader at Consumers International and founder of Argentina’s Consumer Arbitration System, bringing deep expertise in public policy and international collaboration.
Chris Vandome, Chatham House Senior Research
Fellow specialising in African political economy, extractives governance, environmental issues, and international relations. Brings extensive field research and multistakeholder facilitation experience.
Abbi Buxton, Human Rights, Gender, Inequality Representation
Development specialist with deep expertise in large-scale and artisanal mining across Africa. Former Senior Researcher at IIED, renowned for integrating community priorities into global value chains and advancing responsible mineral governance.
GUEST OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Laure Williams, Richemont
Supports ethical standards across Richemont’s Maisons and previously led Cartier’s ESG integration aligned with RJC’s Chain of Custody certification. Brings strong expertise in responsible sourcing and supply-chain due diligence.
Francesco Giunta, Heraeus
Leads Swiss regulatory compliance and RJC audit implementation. Experienced in global mine site assessments against LBMA standards and incident-management processes.
Kesah Trowell, Watches of Switzerland
Brings 30 years of experience in public relations, stakeholder engagement, CSR, and sustainability across luxury retail, mining, chemicals, and FMCG. Former Positive Luxury Awards judge and organiser.
THANKING OUTGOING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The RJC extends its sincere gratitude to the following outgoing Standards Committee members for their dedicated service, expertise, and commitment to strengthening responsible business practices across the global jewellery supply chain.
INDUSTRY MEMBERS
• Purvi Shah (Co-Chair), De Beers
• Robin Kolvenbach, Argor-Heraeus SA
• Didier Backaert, Bonas & Co
• Ilan Keplan, International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA)
• Trisevgeni Stavropoulos, Antwerp World Diamond Centre
• Joelle Ponnelle, Richemont
• Tehmasp Printer, International Gemological Institute (IGI) India Pvt. Ltd.
NON-INDUSTRY MEMBERS
• Ainsley Butler, Building Markets
• Jennifer Hillard, Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct / Consumer Interest Alliance Inc.
• Salah Husseini, BSR Their contributions have been instrumental in advancing the RJC’s standards and the integrity of the sector.
A STRENGTHENED VISION FOR GLOBAL STANDARDS
“We are delighted to welcome Sara and Eduard as Co-Chairs, along with our new committee members whose expertise spans the entire jewellery and mining ecosystem. Their collective leadership will help ensure RJC’s standards remain credible, inclusive, and aligned with global expectations on human rights, environmental responsibility, and supply-chain integrity.” – John Hall, Interim Executive Director
The Standards Committee are meeting this month in London 16-18 December, and many of the new members will be joining to support the transition and handover. The new appointments reflect RJC’s commitment to continuous improvement and its dedication to a transparent, inclusive, and rigorous standard-setting process. All changes come into effect on 1 January 2026.
ABOUT RESPONSIBLE JEWELLERY COUNCIL
Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) is the leading standards organisation of the global jewellery and watch industry. With over 2,000 member companies in 74 countries, that span the jewellery and watch supply chain from mine to retail. RJC Members commit to and are independently audited against the RJC Code of Practices – an international standard on responsible business practices for diamonds, coloured gemstones, silver, gold and platinum group metals. RJC is ISEAL Code Compliant. Our system has been independently evaluated against ISEAL’s Codes of Good Practice – a globally recognised framework for effective, credible sustainability systems.
Communications Team
Responsible Jewellery Council
communications@responsiblejewellery.com
+44 207 321 0992 ext. 206