The 20 Under 40 is a recognition program that spotlights the best and brightest young professionals across the country who exemplify leadership skills and a commitment to bringing joy to their customers' lives through jewelry.
The recipients – who are all employees of JA Member stores – went through a nomination process and were selected by a jewelry industry judging panel. From designers to assistants to store owners to C-suite executives, every professional on the 20 Under 40 list has made a positive impact on their store and the industry as a whole.
View Jewelers of America's 20 Under 40 list below to find a recipient near you!
Northeast
 Raeann Baribault Schwartz Partner & Chief Marketing Officer Baribault Jewelers Glastonbury CT About Raeann: Raeann, along with her two siblings and father, are partners of Baribault Jewelers in Glastonbury, CT. Baribault Jewelers is a third-generation family-owned jewelry store proudly celebrating 75 years of business this year. In addition to being a business partner, Raeann is the Chief Marketing Officer specializing in orchestrating the most successful in-store shopping events in the country. Being a part of this family business has afforded Raeann to have the freedom to fully engage in giving back to the community and charities in various unique ways. Raeann attributes her and her family’s success in this industry by leading with authenticity, purpose, and passion. Raeann is a proud mother of 3 children and 5 nieces and nephews and can only dream that one day this legacy business will be led by the 4th generation. |
 Alex Bellman COO Bellman Jewelers Manchester, NH About Alex: After joining his family store at a young age, Alex Bellman took over full-time following graduation from Southern New Hampshire University. Recognizing the lack of transparency in the industry, he set out to overhaul the branding and sales strategy of the store. By focusing on referrals and leveraging social media, he was able to grow the business significantly, leading to a 4–5-time growth in sales. With the help of his dedicated family and staff, Alex is leading the charge to change how people purchase jewelry, setting a new standard for ethical and transparent business practices. |
 Stephanie Gottlieb Founder & CEO Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry New York, NY About Stephanie: Stephanie established her Fine Jewelry Collection and Bridal Concierge service in 2013 after managing the finished jewelry collection for an esteemed wholesale diamond company in NYC and pursuing her Diamond Certification from the GIA. Her goal was to fill the void in the bridal category and to make the diamond education and purchasing process a more accessible and seamless experience. Since then, she has grown her business into a digital-first, female-led brand offering a full assortment of jewelry, ranging from fine to bridal and bespoke. Having built the brand on the tenants of social media, her authenticity resonates with her loyal audience and drives high engagement across all her initiatives. Stephanie designs collections for the house and curates assortments from leading jewelry designers to offer her clients a true multi-brand shopping experience. |
 Allison Leitzel Williams Co-Owner & President Leitzel’s Jewelry* Hershey & Myerstown, PA About Allison: Allison is the President and Co-Owner of Leitzel’s Jewelry, a family-owned jeweler in Myerstown and Hershey, PA. Allison is a GIA Graduate Gemologist and proud to be the third-generation of her family’s legacy. Allison is passionate about supporting the small business community and inspiring the next generation of the jewelry industry. Recently completing a successful succession plan, Allison’s vision for the business is focused on bringing the best of buying, merchandising, leadership, technology, and customer experience from around the industry to her team. Allison’s commitment to success doesn’t limit her time, effort, and dedication to her community. Allison’s leadership has been recognized locally by the United Way, Central Pennsylvania 40 under 40, the American Heart Association where she served as Board Chair and was named volunteer of the year, and around the country as a member of RJO’s Next Gen Board of Directors. Allison is married to her “preschool sweetheart” and business partner, Trevor Williams. Allison’s ultimate pride and joy are her two children, Brogan and Hadley. |
 Nikia Levesque Vice President of Marketing Day’s Jewelers* Waterville, ME About Nikia: Nikia Levesque is the Vice President of Marketing for the eight-store, New England-based chain Day’s Jewelers. Besides overseeing the 109-year-old company’s branding, marketing, and advertising efforts, Nikia also provides leadership, guidance, and career development to Day’s marketing team, which includes its e-commerce division. Nikia has been with Day’s and working in the jewelry business since she was sixteen years old, which exposed her to various retail operations and departments along the way. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Logistics from Maine Maritime Academy, Levesque began her tenure in Day’s marketing department, first as Marketing Coordinator then Marketing Manager. She has a true passion for the jewelry industry and is zealous about inspiring other young women to pursue a career in jewelry. Nikia currently sits on the Women’s Jewelry Association Foundation board. Day’s Jewelers recently became employee-owned in 2021. |
 Isreal Morales Owner Sky Diamond Jewelers New Windsor, NY About Isreal: Isreal Morales is the owner of Sky Diamond Jewelers, located in the Hudson Valley, New York. He founded his company with his wife in 2016, combining his passion for jewelry and business with her design expertise, to create a ground-breaking fine jewelry store dedicated to innovative customer experiences, transparency and fairness, modern brilliance in store and product design, and attracting a new market of jewelry shoppers. His efforts have been recognized with numerous awards, including four consecutive years of being nominated for the Hudson Valley's Best of the Best in Jewelry Stores, winning Entrepreneur of the Year in 2022 by New York State's Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers, and being featured in Forbes Magazine Online in the article "Through Sheer Grit, He Built a Million-Dollar Jewelry Store." As a first-generation jeweler coming from humble beginnings, Isreal is motivated to make an impact on the industry and inspire future entrepreneurs. He believes that the sky is the limit and is eager to continue pushing it even further. |
 Emily Phillippy Owner Emily Chelsea Jewelry Philadelphia, PA About Emily: Emily is the owner of Emily Chelsea Jewelry, an alternative jewelry design store in Philadelphia, PA. Emily is a Graduate Gemologist from GIA and has her BFA in jewelry, metals CAD-CAM from Tyler School of Art. Emily worked in the jewelry industry from 2011 before she started her brand in 2015. She built the brand on her own personal values, focusing on ethical sourcing, human rights and equality. When it comes to sourcing practices, ECJ takes pride in knowing exactly where every part of their jewelry comes from, working only with materials that are either recycled or from known, ethical origins. ECJ is an active supporter of initiatives and organizations that are working to improve the lives of miners, such as Marange Women’s Alliance, Pure Earth, Better Without Mercury, and The Mercury Free Mining Challenge. With their vocal support of marriage equality, Emily Chelsea Jewelry offers an inclusive and unassuming shopping experience to all customers. Emily Chelsea Jewelry does not use gender pronouns or typical “engagement ring” and “men and women’s wedding bands” titles to categorize their rings as they believe that anyone can wear any ring. |
 Scott Udell Vice President London Jewelers* Manhasset, NY About Scott: Scott Udell is the Great Grandson to Charles London, founder of London Jewelers in 1926. Scott graduated Syracuse University Business School and is GIA and AGS certified. He is a past member of The American Gem Society Board. Joining the London family business in 2007, Scott oversees the diamond and watch buying for all locations as well as VIP client relations. He has unveiled his very own concept, TWO By London, a bridal store and brand that has transformed the way couples shop for diamonds. Scott has been a driving force in the success and development of London Jewelers. He is a visionary in his field with knowledge and power. He has expanded our client base by adding superstars, celebrities, and sports figures. The younger generation all flock to him for his expertise. He is a natural born leader that has strong relationships with vendors, staff, and clients. This is what the success of London Jewelers will look like for generations to come. |
South
 Jessica Adler Gerring Owner/Chief Operating Officer Adler's Diamonds St. Louis, MO About Jessica: Jessica Adler Gerring grew up at the heels of jewelers (literally) and recounts playing on the carpet behind the counter at her family’s Saint Louis store as one of her first memories. While assisting with the retirement sale and closure of her father’s storefront in 2021, Jessica was struck with the magnitude of four generations of family business coming to a close. She and her sister, Danielle Adler Estes, began brainstorming ways to keep the tradition alive and eventually teamed up to open Adler’s Diamonds. She brings over 15 years of experience in marketing, strategic communication, relationship management, brand development and strategy, and more to the company. Backing her experience is a passion for sales and the relationships born out of a simple transaction. More than anything, Jessica loves taking a client's ideas and bringing them to reality through custom design. Her immediate hurdle upon re-opening was maintaining the personalized experience former clients came to expect, while providing new, user-friendly ways for the “Smartphone Generation” to communicate their needs with ease. Her priority is creating a safe, welcoming environment for browsers of every background and budget. Jessica feels honored to carry on the legacy started by her great-grandmother more than 100 years ago in Budapest, Hungary. Adler’s Diamonds was voted Top 3 in 2022 Best Jeweler Category in St. Louis Magazine’s A-List Reader’s Choice Awards and awaits final rank after their recent 2023 nomination! |
 Brandon Boudreaux Chief Operating Officer Boudreaux’s Jewelers* Metairie, LA About Brandon: Brandon is the fourth-generation leader of Boudreaux’s Jewelers, with 3 store locations in Louisiana. After graduating from Tulane University with a double-major in Business Marketing and Management while being a 4-year starter and record-holding member of the baseball team, he joined the family business to continue its 90-year legacy. Since joining in 2013, Brandon achieved his G.G. from GIA, has been a part of the board of Jewelers of Louisiana, and operationally transformed the way Boudreaux’s operates. He oversees staff across the three locations, design and production of Boudreaux’s in-house produced Signature Collection, marketing, finance, and accounting. Boudreaux’s has grown to be an efficient machine under Brandon’s rising levels of responsibility, with full capabilities of manufacturing and design brought back in-house to honor the origins of his business’ manufacturing roots. |
 Matthew Fink President Fink’s Jewelers* Roanoke, VA About Matthew: Matthew is the fourth-generation Owner and President of Fink’s Jewelers, an independent family-owned jewelry store with multiple locations in Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Along with his father Marc, Matthew oversees day-to-day operations in all aspects of the business. Matthew is dedicated to giving back to the community by generously giving to multiple charities, as well as holding past board positions on the Economic Development Association of Roanoke, Virginia and Susan G. Komen. His imprint on the business has been his passion for elevating the retail experience and creating a new, modern design concept for each Fink’s Jewelers location. He strives to stay true to the values his great-grandfather founded the business on in 1930 – quality, value, and unsurpassed customer service. |
 Natacha Metayer President & Owner JNCY Jewelers Miami, FL About Natacha: Natacha Metayer, Owner of JNCY Jewelers in Miami, FL, is a first-generation fine jeweler with a Graduate Diamond degree from GIA. She is passionate about the industry and actively involved in philanthropic efforts. Natacha created Gem Dream, a program that provides inner-city youth with hands-on experience in the jewelry industry and serves as Vice President of the Miami Chapter of the Women in Jewelry Association. She also conducts monthly food rescues to address food insecurities in her community. Recognized for her achievements, Natacha was awarded the Dexter Foster Small Business of the Year by the Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce. With her expertise in jewelry, philanthropy, leadership, and entrepreneurship, Natacha Metayer is a prominent figure in the Miami jewelry community, making a positive impact through her business and philanthropic endeavors. |
 Lexis S. Parker Director of Training Huntington Fine Jewelers* Oklahoma City, OK About Lexis: Lexis Parker is the second generation in her family-owned business, Huntington Fine Jewelers, located in Oklahoma with 6 locations statewide, serving as Director of Training for the company. Throughout her tenure, Lexis has cultivated a love for teaching and developing salespeople. Using her education achieved through JA, AGS, and GIA, she has developed an immersive training program for Huntington Fine Jewelers for new sales team members as well as continuing education training for all sales staff. She is an active board member of the Oklahoma Jewelers Association where she helps plan and organize events and educational opportunities for jewelers statewide. Lexis is committed to the outreach of the jewelry industry through helping salespeople from all categories to imagine a successful and fulfilling career as a jewelry sales professional at Huntington Fine Jewelers. |
 Courtney Sivard Director of Marketing BC Clark Jewelers* Oklahoma City, OK About Courtney: Courtney Sivard started her career in the jewelry industry in 2017 with BC Clark Jewelers as the Digital Marketing Specialist. In 2022, she was promoted to Director of Marketing and now leads the BC Clark Jewelers marketing team. She oversees day-to-day marketing activities and is responsible for creating a one-of-a-kind marketing strategy for the company. Courtney was instrumental in pushing forward the company’s move to e-commerce and elevating the brand’s social media presence. She remains fundamental in both the growth and development of BC Clark’s digital presence. In addition to her company focus, she is involved both in the jewelry industry and the Oklahoma community. She served on the junior leadership board for The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, was a member of ‘ZooTroop’, and mentored as part of Stanley Humfield Elementary’s Mentorship Program for low-income students. Courtney currently serves as the Social Media Chair and assists with Communications for the American Gem Society Young Titleholders committee. During AGS Conclave in early May 2023, Courtney received the prestigious “Young Titleholder of the Year” Award for her leadership role with the committee and contribution to the American Gem Society. |
 Abby Snow Co-Owner/Manager Metalmark Fine Jewelry Phoenix, AZ About Abby: Abby Snow serves as Co-Owner and Manager of Metalmark Fine Jewelry's Phoenix location. With a deep passion for the industry, Abby's career has been shaped by her unwavering dedication to the craft. Following her college days in Phoenix, she ventured to New York City where she landed a job with Chopard, a world-renowned brand in the fine jewelry sector. Her experience in wholesale and collaboration with many independent designers, such as Anna Sheffield and Alexis Bittar, help cement her expertise and reputation in the field. In 2017, Abby found herself in Denver, where she crossed paths with the founders of Metalmark, Samantha Larkins, and Mary Leppert. While managing their Denver location, Abby played a key role in expanding the business through her strategic thinking, innovative ideas, and keen understanding of operations. In May of 2021 she moved back home to open Metalmark Fine Jewelry Phoenix at The Fred, a mid-century shopping center in North Central Phoenix. Abby is proud of the unique pieces and custom designs that Metalmark offers and feels privileged to be able to share her passion for fine jewelry with the Phoenix community. |
Midwest
 Maria Brown Vice President and Co-Owner Exclusively Diamonds Mankato, MN About Maria: Maria Brown is the Vice President and Co-Owner of third-generation, female-owned jewelry store Exclusively Diamonds, located in Mankato, Minnesota. Maria is a Registered Jeweler with the American Gem Society and an Applied Jewelry Professional with GIA. She is the owner of Maria Elizabeth Jewelry and WineWednesdayJewelry.com. Maria’s company launched a show called Wine Wednesday that has curated over 3 million views. Maria is a member of Jewelers of America, Women’s Jewelry Association, GIA Alumni Collective, and Jeweler’s Security Alliance. Maria is on the International Board of Directors for the American Gem Society and serves as committee chair for the AGS Young Titleholders. In 2022, Maria received the AGS Young Titleholder of the Year award. Maria has been a speaker at Bethany Lutheran College for the Business Administration and Leadership courses as well as at AGS Conclave. Maria’s passions include world travel, fashion, and propelling future generations of jewelry leaders. |
 Trish Carruth Founder & Lead Designer Your Personal Jeweler Royal Oak, MI About Trish: Patricia Carruth, fondly known as Trish, is a third-generation jeweler and the Founder & lLad Designer of Your Personal Jeweler. With a keen eye for detail and an unwavering passion for fine jewelry, Trish has established herself as a renowned expert in creating bespoke engagement rings and wedding bands that embody the unique love stories of her clients. Trish's dedication to her craft is unparalleled and her expertise has earned her numerous accolades, including winning the prestigious BIJC's Together By Design competition. In addition to her bespoke designs, Trish has recently expanded her business to include a collection of her own designs. Her collection, Le Saphir, made its debut at JCK Las Vegas 2022 and has been garnering praise for its stunning teal sapphire engagement rings. Her latest collection, Deco, will be on display at the 2023 AGS Conclave conference. Trish's hard work and dedication have paid off as she recently opened a storefront in December of 2022, allowing her to showcase her exquisite designs to an even wider audience. With her remarkable talent and unwavering passion for jewelry design, Trish is set to continue making a mark in the jewelry industry for years to come. |
 Marino A. Costello General Manager Costello Jewelry Company* Naperville, IL About Marino: Marino is second-generation at Costello Jewelry Co, founded by owner Joe Costello in 1979. He started in the business in 2015 and manages every "facet" of the two stores’ day-to-day operations. Marino worked at the stores learning the business while he completed his bachelor’s degree in Small Business Management. Being in the business was not always a lifelong dream, but after a few weeks in the stores he was deeply immersed and dove-in headfirst. He has grown their bridal business tremendously through social media marketing and modifications to the bridal process, contributing to major store growth over the last few years and many records set for sales and ticket count. Costello Jewelry has won the "Best of Naperville" award 3 years in a row, and two "Best Jeweler in the Western Suburbs" awards. Over the years, Marino started his own line (Marino Agostino) which he designs himself in CAD CAM; the line is sold in Costello Jewelry and other select retailers in the U.S. Costello's growth has been substantial since 2019 and it is with great excitement that Costello Jewelry announces their third brick and mortar location coming in 2023. Marino takes tremendous pride in carrying on the legacy that his father Joe has built. |
West
 Lauren Forbes Director of Diamonds & Gemstones Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry Seattle, WA About Lauren: Lauren is the Director of Diamonds and Gemstones for Valerie Madison, an independent jewelry designer located in Seattle, WA. After obtaining her bachelor's degree in geology she completed her Graduate Gemologist and Graduate Pearls diplomas through GIA. Lauren manages all buying for the company, analyzing data to implement new strategies for stone procurement, pricing analytics, and inventory management to maximize GMROI. She leads a sales team in top-tier luxury sales training, custom orders, and heirloom reworks. She has ranked as the top salesperson in 2021 and 2022, bringing in 40% and 32% of the company’s annual revenue. Lauren expertly balances her technical ability along with her charismatic attitude to provide 5-star service to her clients and build rapport with industry peers. With her passion for luxury, she elevates the VM brand through innovative ideas, trend forecasting, and acting as a mentor to her colleagues. Lauren is a JA Certified Senior Sales Professional and currently serves on the WJA Seattle board as VP of Programming. |
 Angela Hope Vice President of Merchandise Ben Bridge Jeweler* Seattle, WA About Angela: With over 20 years in the jewelry industry, Angela Hope is a passionate leader and unapologetic jewelry nerd. As the Vice President of Merchandise for Ben Bridge Jeweler, Angela oversees the curation, distribution, and aftersales service for all jewelry and timepieces across Ben Bridge’s 35 locations. In 2018, she designed and created Bella Ponte bridal, Ben Bridge’s now top selling jewelry brand. Winning a Jewelers of America CASE Award in 2021 for engagement ring design, Angela brings a unique eye to all that she does. Finding joy in the intersection of people and product, Angela firmly believes in jewelry and timepieces’ unique ability to carry connections through generations. Having been brought into the industry by a beloved mentor, she is committed to growing and developing her teams. Angela takes great pride in helping to carry the 111-year legacy of Ben Bridge into the future. |
*Indicates company has more than one store location.
See the inaugural 20 under 40 here.
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