The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) Foundation has announced that it has awarded $63,000 in scholarships to a select group of recipients for the 2024-2025 academic year.
These scholarships, divided among six categories, aim to support the educational and professional aspirations of individuals in the jewelry industry.
The funding addresses a variety of career paths within the field, from retail leadership to technology roles, and from design to community engagement.
Retail and Leadership Development
The Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship, dedicated to the memory of Helene Fortunoff—one of WJA’s founding members and an influential leader in jewelry retail—was awarded to Heather Ingraham of 1916 Company. Ingraham, who is participating in Yale University’s Women’s Leadership Program, will benefit from this funding, which is intended to support rising leaders in jewelry retail through advanced education and management training.
Technology Scholarship for Industry Diversity
To encourage diversity in technology roles within the jewelry and watch sectors, the Radiant Minds Technology Scholarship was granted to Karina Mogha, a Software Engineering student at the Flatiron School. This initiative, developed through collaboration among Jewelers Mutual Group, the Black in Jewelry Coalition, and WJA, covers certification or training programs in fields such as software engineering and web development, aiming to equip women of color with skills for tech-related positions in the jewelry industry.
Scholarships for GIA Education Focused on Inclusion
The WJA Diversity Scholarships for GIA Education, designed to support students from underrepresented communities, awarded scholarships to six individuals: Dea Amira, Abiola Fasehun, Ashley Harris, Shaneli Jain, Rishvi Jayathilake, and Oksana Membreno. These recipients can pursue various Gemological Institute of America (GIA) programs, including the Applied Jewelry Professional (AJP) diploma and the Graduate Colored Stones program, expanding access to gemological education and promoting inclusivity within the sector.
Support for Philanthropy-Minded Professionals
The Gabriel Love Foundation Scholarship, funded by Gabriel & Co., went to Lisa, a student at Studio Jewelers, Ltd. This scholarship awards $5,000 to jewelry students who seek to merge professional growth with community impact. The foundation encourages recipients to leverage their jewelry careers to support charitable initiatives, aiming to integrate social responsibility within the industry.
Design and Artistic Skill Development
In memory of Cindy Edelstein, a long-standing WJA Board member known for her support of emerging designers, the Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship was awarded to Kelsey Merkeley, Creative Director and Designer of NVR NUDE. This $5,000 scholarship funds jewelry design, metalsmithing, and business courses, aligning with Edelstein’s aim to support talent and entrepreneurship in the jewelry design space.
General Student Scholarship for Aspiring Jewelry Professionals
The WJA Student Scholarship was awarded to Lillyana Stefanakis, a CAD/CAM student at the Gemological Institute of America. This scholarship supports students enrolled in jewelry or metalsmithing programs, offering financial assistance to those pursuing careers in jewelry design and production.
Funding and Future Initiatives
The WJA Foundation’s scholarships are made possible through donations and fundraising events, including the upcoming Future of Forty Gala Fundraiser on November 13 in New York City, all of which aim to sustain support for emerging talent in the jewelry industry.