The Responsible Jewellery Council is again looking for a leader after Melanie Grant announced she would step down as executive director after two years.
Grant took over at the standards organization at the start of 2023, after it had been without permanent leadership for 10 months due to the Russia crisis. Vice chairman John Hall will become interim executive director until the RJC can find a replacement for Grant, as he did when former head Iris Van der Veken resigned, the RJC said Friday. Grant will remain temporarily as a consultant to assist him.
“It is with mixed emotions that we announce Mel’s transition from her role at RJC,” said CEO Dave Meleski. “While I am sorry for her to step down, I am thankful for all that she has accomplished in her two years as executive director of the organization and how she has transformed it positively into a much better place today than when she arrived. The ability for transition is greatly enhanced by both what she has done with the RJC, but also her willingness to help in transitioning to a new executive director.”
During her tenure, Grant helped the RJC increase its membership to 2,000 members from just under 1,700 when she started. She has also seen the organization through a review of both the Code of Practices and the Chain of Custody standards for the jewelry and watch industries, as well as the introduction of the new lab-grown materials standard. She was also instrumental in the RJC changing its articles and membership agreement that gave it the power to remove members that bring it into disrepute. Previously, RJC struggled to eject Alrosa following the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine — a move that prompted the exodus of several members that objected to the miner’s continued presence, including Cartier, Pandora and Kering’s jewelry brands.
“After a wonderful two years at the RJC…it is time for me to hand the baton to someone new who will take the RJC into its next era,” said Grant.
Image: Melanie Grant. (Andrew Werner/RJC)
