Gems Legend 1

Katherine Bodoh – A Cut Above

Since March 2017, Katherine Bodoh has been leading the American Gem Society (AGS) in a very positive way. She is the second female Chief Executive Officer in the organization’s 84-year history and is quick to give credit to the team around her.

Within the high-profile role of CEO, one may grow accustomed to—or even expect—the limelight. For example, the press often favors and features a CEO’s quotes. By these standards, it is logical to deduce that Katherine Bodoh is doing her job in a different and elegantly humble way.

Let’s review the many accolades AGS has proudly announced in the past year and a half alone and then note the press quotes, or the lack thereof in Bodoh’s case. This hasn’t reduced AGS’s stage; rather it has allowed for the presence of quotes from several senior AGS executives supervising the milestone being announced. While this may seem natural for many readers, the reality is that a CEO will routinely request this space and dominate quotes, if not monopolize them.

    It’s obvious that Bodoh’s responsibilities as CEO mirror her commitment to foster AGS’s in-house talent aligned with her dedication to the society’s daily mission. Just as AGS is a highly collaborative organization, so too is each project that Bodoh leads. Team leadership isn’t separated from the team. This is a fact that Bodoh seems to nurture and protect. Managing in this manner greatly helps AGS to honor its pledge to protect jewelry-buying consumers and the fine jewelry industry at large.

Delivering over a decade of jewelry consumer and industry expertise, Bodoh served as an executive with Jeweler’s Mutual Insurance Company before her appointment as AGS’s deputy executive director in 2015. Now as its CEO, Bodoh continues to prove her prowess moving into her second year and beyond.

During her first year, Bodoh helped usher in a local diamond cutter, strengthening AGS Laboratories’ services with laser inscription removal and re-cutting services while reducing the time and expense of moving merchandise to market. In the same period, she supervised the groundbreaking expansion to grade fancy colored stones, and, catering to consumer demand, focused on grading brown diamonds. Simultaneously, AGS introduced the Colored Diamond Document, a means to simplify the technical nuances of colored diamond grading and embracing the emotion of color with the connectivity of jewelry. This publication engages and enlightens diamond-buying consumers while offering retailers a strong sales tool. The Colored Diamond Document serves as a communication bridge between jewelry consumers and retailers and it is presented with passion.

“I love jewelry and I love working with a nonprofit. Working for AGS is the best of both worlds. We support businesses that are in the business of celebrating joyous occasions and combine that with a mission of consumer protection—a high standard of ethical business practices and ongoing education,” Bodoh says.

Left: AGS' current Platinum Diamond Quality Document. Right: The recently introduced AGS Colored Diamond Document. (Photo: AGS Labs)

   For some, new industry challenges seemingly chip away at the diamond industry. For Bodoh and the AGS, these same challenges don’t undermine, they underline the need for strong, ethical practices and public protection. A headline example of this is the ever-growing attention to corporate social responsibility (CSR) within the diamond and colored gemstone sectors. “CSR is important in the jewelry industry, as conscientious business practice becomes a normal part of daily operations. Consumers are asking questions about sourcing, contributions to the community, and sustainability as part of the sales process and, as a result, retail jewelers and their suppliers are mobilizing to put practices in place to support their messaging and due diligence in answering customer questions,” Bodoh states.

AGS members are consistently bound by published ethical tenets, respective practices, upholding human rights, and environmental practices. “Our members are consistently encouraged to do well above the minimum to ensure they are upholding AGS’s mission,” Bodoh adds.

In perhaps a more traditional CEO tone, Bodoh reminds us that AGS is dynamically collaborative. In many cases, AGS has a board seat with affiliate or complementary groups or companies and, in every case, the AGS works closely with global and local associations and corporations dedicated to ethical sourcing, social responsibility and sustainability. Among these are the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), U.S. Jewelry Council (USJC) and the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), in no specific order of reference. Bodoh also reminds us of the importance of the AGS Conclave, its annual educational and networking events and the celebrated acknowledgment surrounding the Circle of Distinction honorees, most recently celebrating Sterling Corporation’s CSR advancement.

  

“The AGS has, and will continue to have, an important role in the jewelry industry by requiring its members to adhere to standards for ethical business practice, in support of its non-profit mission of consumer protection. AGS members are required to adhere to the FTC Guidelines, WDC System of Warranties and Kimberley Process where applicable,” notes the CEO.

With a cemented consumer cornerstone in ethical practice and protection, AGS continues to lead by example, but Bodoh understands that she must not rest on that foundation. “I will resolutely uphold our esteemed legacy and seek new ways to bring value to our membership and laboratory clients,” she explains, appreciating the need to develop the organization to even greater heights. “We are in a good position with AGS Laboratories, as both a trusted lab and a trusted brand, and with a brand aligned to a high standard of ethics. We are confident that more of the worldwide industry will, as a result, look to us for their grading reports.”

Supported by a healthy consumer advertising campaign and a diehard determination to win as a team, Bodoh closes with a heartfelt and resonating statement: “Together, we will serve the next generation of industry professionals and keep AGS vibrant, relevant and indispensable.”

Dan Scott

Source

Photos are courtesy of Katherine Bodoh unless otherwise specified.

Dan Scott is a brand architect with Luxe Licensing with current or past clients including Chanel, Gucci Jewelry and numerous young brands. He welcomes conversation and may be reached by email at dans@luxelicensing.com.

TAG Gem Legend , Katherine Bodoh , American Gem Society, Gems, Jewelry,Colored Diamond document,jewelry industry