Carlsbad, California – After nine years, Anna Martin is retiring from the Gemological Institute of America, the organisation announced on Wednesday.
Her last day will be 31 December.
After the end of the year, Martin plans to spend time with her family. After that, she will consider whether to take another job or remain retired, the longtime industry leader told National Jeweler.
Prior to joining GIA, Martin spent decades on the banking side of the industry, first with ABN Amro and then with Standard Chartered Bank, where she served as managing director and head of global marketing for diamonds and jewellery.
She joined GIA in August 2014 as senior vice president of global development, a position in which she worked to expand GIA’s relationships with industry leaders while overseeing the Institute’s global beneficiation efforts.
In January 2022, GIA appointed her Senior Vice President for Institute and Industry Relations.
Martin also served on the GIA Board of Governors from 1997 to 2011 (including vice chair from 2008 to 2011), is the current board chair of Diamonds Do Good, and serves on the advisory boards of the Women’s Jewellery Association and JCK.
She has received numerous awards over the years, including the American Gem Society’s Triple Zero Award (2008), the WJA Award for Excellence in the Special Services category and the organisation’s Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award (2007), and the Indian Diamond and Coloured Stone Association’s Premier Patron, Guiding Light and Doyenne of the Year awards.
GIA President and CEO Susan Jacques said that during her time at GIA, Martin helped build GIA’s capabilities as a global organisation, expand its mission and secure its future.
“Her wisdom, experience and dedication to our mission have enabled GIA to grow and remain relevant in the face of unprecedented challenges,” Jacques said.
“She is irreplaceable to GIA, and I know that Anna’s expertise will continue to benefit the global gem and jewellery industry.”
