The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) added two new members to its board of governors at a recent meeting in Carlesbad, California.
Lisa Bridge, president and CEO of Ben Bridge Jeweler, and Dr. Wendy Bohrson, a professor of geology at the Colorado School of Mines, will join the Institute’s governing board, the organization said last week.
“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.
Bridge, the fifth-generation leader of Ben Bridge Jeweler, is an experienced executive with deep ties to the jewelry industry. She is also the immediate past president of the board of the American Gem Society (AGS) and serves on several industry boards.
Bohrson, a geoscientist with more than 35 years of experience, has made significant contributions to volcanic processes and magma systems research. She also holds a PhD in geology from UCLA and a Bachelor of Science in geology and biology from Stanford University.
“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 GIA president Susan Jacques.
Prior to the board’s gathering, the GIA research team convened for its 14th annual meeting, where experts shared developments in diamond, colored-stone, and pearl identification, as well as advances in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven research tools. The group will present some of its findings at the Converge conference in September 2025.
Image: The full GIA board of governors. (Gemological Institute of America)
Join Rapaport’s exclusive WhatsApp channel for real-time news, analysis, and insights.
