Meet Angela Hope, Vice President of Merchandise

In the evolving landscape of luxury jewelry retail, Angela Hope is a forward-thinking executive at Ben Bridge Jewelers who has successfully blended traditional luxury with cutting-edge innovation into each Ben Bridge collection. 

Innovation Through Accessibility

One of Angela's most significant contributions to Ben Bridge has been the creation of Bella Ponte, a proprietary brand that revolutionizes how customers approach bridal custom jewelry. "It was both a challenge and a pleasure creating a bridal brand with technology that brings custom jewelry to life," Angela reflects. The inspiration behind Bella Ponte stems from her deep roots in the family jewelry industry and a vision to make custom jewelry accessible to a broader audience in unprecedented ways.

The development of Bella Ponte wasn't just about creating another jewelry line; it was about understanding and responding to modern consumers' desires. Angela emphasized the importance of designs that not only resonated with customers but also served as launching points for personal creativity, allowing individuals to design their own pieces.

Leadership and Legacy

As the first female VP of Merchandise at Ben Bridge, Angela's achievement marks a significant milestone in the company's history. Her appointment to a female-led board also demonstrates the company's commitment to diverse leadership, something she notes has been "genuine to the company" and part of their executive panel for quite some time.

Signature Personal Pieces

When discussing her signature pieces, Angela's choices reflect both her professional journey and personal style. Her sterling silver TUDOR Black Bay 58 timepiece holds special significance, marking her promotion to Vice President. "I love that it represents stepping into the watch side of the business," she explains. "Made of a precious metal you don't always see in watches, it felt representative of how I want to fit in the role." Additionally, a special Bella Ponte ring, secretly designed by her husband for a significant birthday, showcases the personal connection she maintains with the brand she helped create.

Championing Diversity and Inclusion

Hope's commitment to advancing diversity in the industry is evident in her involvement with initiatives like the Lonia Tate Scholarship for gemological studies, now in partnership with the Black in Jewelry Coalition. Her recent experience spending time with a grant recipient at the Tucson Gem Show reveals her hands-on approach to mentoring and supporting the next generation of female industry professionals.

The Future is Female

Looking ahead, Angela sees significant changes in how jewelry is purchased and appreciated. "Women are buying pieces on their own now," she observes, noting a shift from traditional gift-giving patterns to self-purchasing. This evolution in consumer behavior is reshaping how the industry approaches design, marketing, and sales.

"We're seeing women having more authority in the direction we're going," Angela explains. "The way jewelry is being purchased is different than before and seeing women in leadership roles influencing how we design and wear jewelry is where we're headed."

Company Culture and Growth

What sets Ben Bridge apart, according to Angela, is its focus on relationships. "People, people, people and our connections to them," she emphasizes. "Many times, we're viewed as a big company, but we value each of our relationships with colleagues and vendors/partners. That makes the connection between us and consumers closer." This people-first approach has been felt throughout the company, making it as much a people business as a jewelry business.

Her own career trajectory at Ben Bridge speaks to the company's commitment to professional development for their people. Celebrating 10 years with Ben Bridge, Angela reflects on her journey from a small town in Canada to her current executive role. "It's a very different place than where I thought I'd be," she admits. After starting in store operations with Pandora in Canada, she was drawn to Ben Bridge's business approach. Her progression from bridal buyer to VP, taking over a position held for over 40 years by her predecessor, exemplifies the company's trust in emerging talent.

Personal Connections

The emotional connection to jewelry remains central to Angela's perspective. She cherishes pieces that represent relationships and milestones, including an Ikuma necklace gifted by her team and a Toscano bracelet that reminds her of the craftspeople behind it and shared moments with colleagues.

Looking Forward

As the jewelry industry continues to evolve, Angela's leadership at Ben Bridge represents a bridge between tradition and innovation. Her focus on accessibility, diversity, and personal connections while embracing technological advances and changing consumer preferences positions both her and the company for continued success in the luxury jewelry market.

The transformation of the industry under leaders like Angela suggests a future where luxury jewelry becomes more inclusive, personalized, and meaningful to a broader range of consumers. As women continue to gain prominence in leadership roles and as self-purchasers, the industry is poised for exciting changes that honor its heritage while embracing new possibilities.

Through her work at Ben Bridge, Angela Hope demonstrates that success in the luxury jewelry industry comes not just from understanding gems and precious metals, but from understanding people – their desires, their stories, and their aspirations. As the industry continues to evolve, her leadership offers a blueprint for combining innovation with tradition, accessibility with luxury, and personal connection with professional excellence.