Every year, we have enjoyed seeing the Initiatives in Art and Culture (IAC) conference that focuses on a number of industries within the jewelry industry. IAC educates diverse audiences in visual culture, including the fine and decorative arts.

This year marks their 10th anniversary and although attending events in person is something that we can’t do right now, we’re excited to see that on Oct 28th, they are running a conference (entire program below) that will allow industry experts to gather virtually and to talk about Ethics and Sustainability in Gold and Diamond Enterprise. This day will include panels from industry experts that focus on this topic and will explore the evolution of responsible practice over the past 20 years. It will also honor Anisa Kamadoli Costa, Chief Sustainability Office, Tiffany & Co. with its Award for Leadership in Responsibility Practice in Jewelry.

Check out more information about the panels and make sure to get your complimentary tickets here:

PROGRAM

11:00–11:10AM | Introduction and Welcoming Remarks. Lisa Koenigsberg, President / Founder, Initiatives in Art and Culture
11:10 am–12:15 PM | No Going Back: Vision and Leadership in Supporting Responsible Mining Artisanal and small-scale gold, diamond and colored stone mining takes place in approximately 80 countries worldwide with approximately 40 million artisanal miners globally, and significant attention to meeting established standards. Large-scale mining also has agreed upon global standards that drive best practices. This conversation brings together representation from mining companies, refineries, and NGOs, as well as thought leaders, and jewelry designer to explore how the production and the demand sides of the supply chain can work together. Panelists will discuss the formalization of ASM, and how opportunities can be captured to facilitate its growth and continue to incentivize and support the development of responsible mining and sourcing practices.
- Moderator: Christina T. Miller, Co-founder, Ethical Metalsmiths & consultant,Conny Havel, Head of Supply Chains and Markets, Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM)Cristina Maria Villegas, Director of Mines to Markets Program, PACTFeriel Zerouki, Senior Vice President of International Relations and Ethical Initiatives, De Beers GroupVirginie Bahon, Head of Corporate Affairs, ValcambiUte Decker, Founder, Ute Decker-sculptural jewelryMonica Gichuhi, Founder, African Gem Exhibition and Conference
12:15-12:25 PM | BREAK
12:25-12:30 PM | Introduction Remarks
12:30–1:30 PM | Leadership in Responsible Practice: Celebrating Twenty Years of Sustained Commitment
- In honor of Anisa Kamadoli Costa's receiving Initiatives in Art and Culture's Award for Leadership in ResponsiblePractice in Jewelry on behalf of Tiffany & Co., and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Tiffany & Co. Foundation, she will be joined by other trailblazers in this realm to discuss how the field has progressed over the last two decades, considering issues ranging from certification and standards, to artisanal mining to traceability.
- Anisa Kamadoli Costa, Chief Sustainability Officer, Tiffany & Co.Mark Hanna, Chief Marketing Officer, Richline Group, Inc.Michael J. Kowalski, Retired President and Chairman of the Board, Tiffany &Co.Stephen D’Esposito, President and CEO/RESOLVE In conversation with Lisa Koenigsberg, and Christina T. Miller, Co-chairs, Committee for Initiatives in Art and Culture's Award for Leadership in Responsible Practice in Jewelry.
1:30–1:45 PM | Presentation of Initiatives in Art and Culture’s Award for Leadership in Responsible Practice to Anisa Kamadoli Costa
- Lisa Koenigsberg and Christina Miller