Founder | Responsible Jewelry Transformative | Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference | Susan Wheeler Design

Susan Wheeler is a jewelry designer and a responsible jewelry advocate who works to bring people together from across the global jewelry supply chain to participate equally in the transformation the jewelry industry to be more equitable and responsible.  She is the founder of the Responsible Jewelry Transformative, NFP, including initiative Marange Women’s alliance, the Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference, has jewelry brand Susan Wheeler Design, is a founding partner of Virtu Gem, and is on the advisory committee of the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network.

Brandee Dallow is Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer at Grandview Klein Diamonds and the founder of Fine Girl Communications, a marketing consultancy helping businesses align their values, strategy, and storytelling to build trust and impact. A respected leader and advocate in the global jewelry industry, she currently serves as Board President of the Community for Ethical Jewelry and is a past President of the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) and the WJA Foundation. Brandee also sits on the boards of Jewelers for Children, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, the U.S. Kimberley Process Authority, and serves as an advisor to the Black in Jewelry Coalition. 

Mkhululi Nkosilamandla Ncube is the Programmes Officer at the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC), a specialized agency of the African Union. In this role, he provides strategic operational support and coordination for the implementation of the Africa Mining Vision, its Action Plan as well as other AMV implementation tools with the latest being the African Green Minerals Strategy(AGMS) in addition to the minerals segment of the African Union Commodity Strategy. 

Mkhululi also oversees the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) portfolio at AMDC, where he is currently leading the African Gemstone, Jewellery Exhibition and Conference (AGJEC) series, which spans multiple events across the continent. With close to 20 years of minerals development experience, Mkhululi has held various roles in development, knowledge management, and policy research at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Development Policy Management Forum (DPMF). His work has covered natural resources management, regional integration, trade, youth, and women empowerment. Additionally, Mkhululi has a separate background as a farmer, a small-scale mining beneficial owner, and an entrepreneur, having been recognized as a Start-upper of the Year and a multiple international finalist in community-based social enterprise competitions.

Morgan Burger is a third-generation jewelry retailer, investigative journalist, and the founder of FOR SEAS, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing transparency to marine mining practices within the jewelry industry. Her interdisciplinary background and passion for the ocean led her to a role as a graduate researcher at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where she studied the historical, environmental and political facets of marine diamond mining.

Her research culminated in a short documentary chronicling her journey to Greenland, where she investigated offshore diamond mining exploration and shed light on the potential implications for local communities and their livelihoods.

Mike Schlebach, CEO and Co Founder of Protect The West Coast NPC.

Founder & Creative Director of Tur Jewellery and Safa Dynamic Resources.

I am a jewelry designer and certified gemologist from Oman, specializing in luxury, timeless pieces inspired by Omani heritage. I aim to integrate ethical and sustainable practices into my work, navigating the challenges of introducing these values into my Arabian culture by blending them into my designs. My creations combine cultural preservation with contemporary elegance, using traceable materials and storytelling that highlights the journeys of artisans, including miners, whose skills and traditions shape each piece. Alongside my jewelry brand, I lead Safa Dynamic Resources, a non-profit organization that supports and empowers local artisans and trains individuals who share a passion for jewelry. I have represented Omani identity internationally, from Monte-Carlo to New York City, and as a TEDx speaker, I shared my belief that humans are like raw gemstones — starting in their natural state, then carefully cut, shaped, and polished until their true brilliance shines through.

President, Gemworld International, Inc.

Founder | Columbia Gem House

CEO of Fairever

Fairever is Europe’s leading wholesaler of certified responsibly mined precious metals. Serving over 500 clients across Europe and beyond, Fairever is a trusted partner for goldsmiths, jewelers, and manufacturers committed to sustainability.

Previously, Desirée built her career in high-end fashion and precious metals trading. With a background in American Studies focused on social injustice and gender, she brings a values-driven yet pragmatic leadership style. She is particularly dedicated to fair trade, the health and safety of miners in ASM regions, and ensuring transparency in the gold supply chain. Fairever is certified by Fairtrade and Fairmined as a supplier of fair gold and silver, a member of the German initiative Forum for Responsible Gold and the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM), as well as winner of the German Sustainability Award 2024.

After graduating from GIA, my career began as a gemologist, grading diamonds in a lab in Tokyo. Then have joined and worked with Moribijoux as a metalsmith, pearl stringer, and stone buyer, for more than 10 years assisting the owner-craftsman in various jewelry making projects. During this time, earned the GIA Jewelry Design Certificate, received awards in several competitions, and was involved in the education of many industry professionals as a gemology instructor. In the long industry journey, I became interested in the social issues facing the jewelry industry of the world and studied jewelry sustainability in the UK. The acquaintance from all over the world who share the same passion has led to the current activities.

Born and raised in Elko, Nevada, Fermina is a proud citizen of the Western Shoshone Nation whose life and work remain deeply rooted in her ancestral homelands. She has shared over three decades of life with her partner, raising three children and now cherishing six grandchildren.

After graduating from high school and pursuing college studies, Fermina built a career grounded in both service and stewardship. In 2000 Fermina was elected as Elko Band Council Chairperson and represented her community as a member of the Te-Moak Tribal Council for three years. After being involved in tribal politics, and for the next 10 years she worked at a law firm that practiced federal and family law. Since 2012 Fermina has managed a native woman owned and operated business. The Henderson Bank Building is a 98-year-old office building, a historic treasure preserving its place in downtown Elko.

In recent years, her calling has deepened into advocacy. As the Executive Director of the Western Shoshone Defense Project, she works to protect human rights, land rights, and treaty rights, focusing on the harmful impacts of mineral extraction on unceded Western Shoshone treaty territory. Her work is guided by the wisdom of elders and the enduring presence of her ancestors, with a vision for the cultural, spiritual, and environmental well-being of future generations.

For Fermina, advocacy is not just a role — it is a responsibility, a continuation of the path her people have walked for generations, and a commitment to ensuring the survival and flourishing of the Western Shoshone way of life.

Aaron joined Earthworks in 2011 to belong to an organization helping repair the world. Aaron focuses primarily on mining and mineral supply chain policy, including working with communities directly impacted. Alongside allies, Aaron and Earthworks advocate at all levels of government for mining policy reforms, Indigenous rights, and better results for communities impacted by extraction.

Cole Kamerick is a Jeweler, Craftsperson, and Artist. While he is originally form Michigan, Cole is Currently based out of Richmond, Virginia. He earned his BFA in Craft and Material Studies from College for Creative Studies (Detroit, MI) in 2023. He is currently pursuing his MFA in Craft/Material Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA). Cole is a member of the Community for Ethical Jewelry's Student Committee. He also serves as an organizer and juror of the So Fresh + So Clean Exhibition. Cole has shown work at galleries including, Scarab Club Detroit, Wayne State Galleries, and Detroit Contemporary.

Chiko Manda is the Managing Partner of Perekezi ASM Consultants. His focus is on responsible sourcing and mineral supply chains, research, governance, and social accountability. With his deep understanding of the complexities and challenges associated with ASM, he has been part of several initiatives that promote transparent mineral supply chains and ethical business practices.

President, CEO and General Counsel | Jewelers Vigilance Committee

Sara Yood, President, CEO & General Counsel at the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), is an attorney admitted in the state of New York with extensive experience in intellectual property law. Sara’s responsibilities at JVC include anti-money laundering compliance, FTC Jewelry Guides compliance, trademark litigation, copyright, advertising monitoring, creating legal compliance tools and publications, and advanced legal strategy. She has developed an additional expertise in U.S. and international laws concerning the importation and exportation of animal materials used in jewelry, and has authored multiple JVC publications illustrating the laws surrounding the jewelry industry.

Yood came to JVC from a fellowship at the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham Law School, where she received her law degree. She is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. Yood also serves as the Treasurer and on the board of the Women’s Jewelry Association and is a member of the Fashion Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association.

VP Sustainability & Social Impact | Mejuri, Inc.

Holly McHugh, the VP of Sustainability and Social Impact of Mejuri, is a highly experienced Sustainability and Responsible Sourcing leader and change-agent with a deep understanding of emerging and social issues. In May 2023, Holly led the brand in launching their first Sustainability report, alongside a $1.5M USD partnership with RESOLVE’s Regeneration.

Prior to Mejuri, Holly made an impactful career in specific sector expertise and innovative leadership in global luxury, retail, capability building, assessments, and consulting. While managing multi-cultural and multi-generational teams in Asia, Europe and the U.S. at brands such as Tiffany and Co. and Kering, Holly  successfully directed stakeholder engagement, collaborations, issue analysis, remediation, supply chain management and policy.

Fine Jewelry Atelier | Reciprocity

Peruvian designer Andrea Jose strives to transform the way we view the resourcing and production of jewelry.

Working in social development with mining projects whilst learning jewellery techniques with master artisans, the particularly male dominated mining industry inspired and motivated her to value the work of strong female community leaders. She celebrates the value of a reciprocal approach within the jewelery system.

Maluti Community Development Forum; Lesotho Representative to the Kimberly Process Civil Society Coalition

Thabo is a human rights lawyer and member of the Maluti Community Development Forum (MCDF). He has been working with the community of Mokhotlong, Lesotho to bring justice as they have had their water rights abused. He represents Lesotho as a member of the The Working Group on Artisanal and Alluvial Production (WGAAP).

Founder and Director, Conflict Awareness Project.

The CAP works globally to combat traffickers, profiteers, and criminal networks that drive violence, harm communities, and devastate the environment.

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