Helene Fortunoff Elected Chairman of GIA’s Board of Governors

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) announced yesterday (Wednesday) that its board of governors unanimously elected Helene Fortunoff as its new chairman, effective immediately. She replaces former board of governors chairman Ralph Destino, who was recently appointed chairman of GIA.

Fortunoff is principal of Fortunoff and has served on the Institute’s board of governors since November 1999.

Fortunoff established the fine jewelry division of Fortunoff, a firm that started as a small housewares store on Livonia Avenue in Brooklyn, New York before growing to a chain of stores in New York and New Jersey.

Her career has been highlighted by many accomplishments and honors as she became one of the country’s top female executives. She was the first recipient of both the National Jewelers Award for retailing excellence and the Morris B. Zale Award for Retailing Excellence. She has received the Women’s Jewelry Association’s (WJA) Hall of Fame Award and has served as the WJA’s president.

Fortunoff is also a recipient of the American Gem Society’s 2001 Triple Zero Award. In January she will receive a lifetime achievement award from the Jewelry Information Center.

She became the first female member of the United States Carat Club, a private and prestigious De Beers group, and in 1997 she received an honorary appointment as Knight of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy, in honor of her long association with Italian jewelry manufacturers. GIA honored Fortunoff in 1997 as one of the recipients of the Institute’s Sovereigns of the GIA League of Honor.

“GIA’s mission in professionalizing the jewelry industry and upholding standards is critical in protecting the public’s confidence in our products,” said Fortunoff.

GIA President William E. Boyajian said, “Through many years working with Helene, I’ve come to deeply respect her commitment to the Institute’s nonprofit mission, her care and concern for GIA’s people, and her devotion to helping guide the Institute’s growth and ability to better serve the industry and the public. Her election is a most welcome decision.”

Fortunoff is also a charter member of the UJA Women of Distinction and a Lion of Judah of that organization. In addition, she serves as an advisory board member of the Women President Organization. 

A cum laude graduate in business administration from New York University, Fortunoff lives in Manhasset, New York. Of her six children, five work closely with her in executive retailing positions at Fortunoff.