New York, NY; October 14, 2014 – The Diamond Empowerment Fund is pleased to add two global industry leaders to its board of directors: David Prager, Head of Corporate Affairs for the De Beers Group of Companies, and Kent Wong Siu Kee, Managing Director of Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited.
David Prager lends D.E.F his insight into the expectations of consumers and the corresponding pressures on production. His work across geographies and with a diverse set of stakeholders that includes civil society, media and governments will be especially helpful as D.E.F expands its ‘diamonds do good’ mission to global communities.
“Diamonds are a finite resource, pushing us to ensure we are using them to add value to the communities we work in, the infrastructure we rely on, and the colleagues we work with. Since its founding, D.E.F has helped the industry shine a light on the positive role diamonds play in the journey from mine to finger – enabling consumers to be proud of the diamonds they own,” states Prager.
Kent Wong broadens D.E.F’s worldwide representation to the important, and growing, diamond and jewelry sector in Hong Kong and Mainland China. A veteran with substantial experience in both operations and management in the jewelry industry, Wong was named one of the “25 Influential Chinese in Global Fashion” by world-renowned business magazine Forbes in 2012.
An active leader across Hong Kong and mainland China’s industry associations, Wong supports the mission of D.E.F. “As a vertically integrated jewelry retailer that is active in all aspects of the diamond and jewelry supply chain, we understand the importance of supporting communities along the diamond’s journey. I am eager to help further extend D.E.F’s mission and communicate to consumers around the world these good works,“ he says.
Phyllis Bergman, president of the D.E.F. board of directors and CEO of Mercury Ring, is thrilled by the global diversity of D.E.F’s board. “With the addition of David and Kent on our board, D.E.F is truly representative of the global diamond and jewelry industry.”
D.E.F’s existing board includes: Phyllis Bergman, President, CEO Mercury Ring; Lita Asscher, President, Royal Asscher of America; Nicola Breytenbach-Steiner, Actress, Philanthropist; Cathy Calhoun President, Calhoun Jewelers; Meir Dalumi Director, Dalumi Group; Dylan Dix, Marketing Director, Crossworks; Peter Engel President, Fred Meyers Jewelry; Rebecca Foerster E..V.P, Leo Schachter Diamonds; Ellen Haddigan ED, Society of Sloan Kettering; Edward Hrabak President, Sterling Jewelers, Inc.; Michael Kaplan President, Rocket Redbox; Anna Martin Senior Vice-President of Global Development, GIA; Kaushik Mehta, Chairman, Eurostar Diamond Traders; Sally Morrison, Co-Founder, Managing Director, World Gold Council; Scott Rauch Co-Founder, President, SHR Jewelry Group; Bruno Sané General Manager Marketing, Rio Tinto Diamonds; Hedda Schupak Editor, The Centurion Newsletter; Varda Shine, Co-founder; Elliott Tannenbaum Partner, Leo Schachter Diamonds; Jean Paul Tolkowsky President, Exelco; Yancy Weinrich Group V.P., JCK; Jaci Wilson-Reid Philanthropist
ADVISORY BOARD Russell Simmons Co-founder, CEO Rush Communications; Dilip Mehta CEO, Rosy Blue Group; H.E. Festus G. Mogae Former President, Republic of Botswana; Linah Mohohlo Governor, Bank of Botswana.