DIAMOND FORCE
The Fearless Female Visionaries Defining the Legacy of the Luxury Jewelry Industry
DIAMOND FORCE
The Fearless Female Visionaries Defining the Legacy of the Luxury Jewelry Industry
Lisa Bridge,
President & CEO
Lisa Bridge stands as a powerful example of female leadership in the luxury jewelry industry as President and CEO of Ben Bridge Jewelers. Unlike many family business successors, she actively chose this path after initially pursuing education, bringing fresh energy to the company while honoring its heritage.
As one of the few female presidents in the American Gem Society's 90-year history, Lisa has broken barriers and profoundly inspired other women in the industry. And she continues to actively support the next generation of women in luxury through mentorship and initiatives like the Lonia Tate scholarship.
Lisa’s commitment to exceptinoal quality, ethical sourcing, and personal connections with artisans has helped position Ben Bridge as a distinctive force in the luxury jewelry market while paving the way for more women to succeed in leadership roles.
“Having belief in yourself and your vision... being open to learning from everyone around you and also interpreting it in your own way, that each voice is so important and we need each of those voices to continue to move the industry forward.”
— Lisa Bridge, President & CEO
Angela Hope,
VP Merchandise
As the first woman to hold her executive position, Angela has successfully merged traditional luxury with innovation, most notably through the creation of Bella Ponte, a revolutionary bridal brand that makes custom jewelry more accessible to modern consumers.
Under Angela's guidance, Ben Bridge is adapting to significant changes in how luxury jewelry is purchased and appreciated, particularly noting that women are increasingly participating in self-purchase instead of waiting to receive jewelry as a gift.
In this industry evolution, Angela’s leadership style emphasizes both innovation and personal connections, maintaining that success in luxury jewelry comes from understanding not just gems and precious metals, but people – their desires, stories, and aspirations.
“We're seeing women having more authority in the direction we're going. 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.”
— Angela Hope, Vice President Merchandising
Laura Barringer,
Senior Buyer, Fashion
When Laura started in 1980, the industry was completely male-dominated, with just a few major manufacturers in New York running the business. Today, the landscape has dramatically shifted, with women occupying leadership positions throughout the industry.
As a relationship-based buyer, Laura’s 45 year career has been built on fostering deep industry connections, often spanning multiple generations of family businesses. Her most notable achievement has been her work with Toscano, Ben Bridge's Italian gold brand, where she maintains direct relationships with artisans and craftsman that spans four decades.
Laura's deep-rooted partnerships with jewelry manufacturers exemplify Ben Bridge's commitment to authentic connections. Her approach to building and maintaining these relationships has helped create a legacy of trust and excellence that continues to define Ben Bridge's position in the luxury jewelry market.
“Women are celebrating themselves. It's for small little milestones or big milestones. They're gifting it to each other too, where jewelry used to be kind of traditionally a man's gift to a woman.”
— Laura Barringer, Senior Buyer, Fashion
Molly Peterson,
Bridal Buyer
Molly’s remarkable 15-year progression from holiday gift wrapper to influential bridal buyer at Ben Bridge Jeweler exemplifies the evolving opportunities for women in luxury retail. Recently honored with the 2024 Rising Star award, Peterson's career trajectory showcases how passion and strategic growth can lead to significant achievements in the luxury jewelry industry, including winning the Pandora Store of the Year award for North America and being named Ben Bridge Manager of the Year.
In addition, Molly has been instrumental in modernizing the luxury jewelry experience, particularly through her work on the Bella Ponte ring builder program, which combines traditional expertise with cutting-edge technology like hologram visualization. Her approach to leadership emphasizes mentorship and continuous learning, while her personal philosophy of "building something for life" extends beyond jewelry to encompass relationship-building with both customers and colleagues.
As a rising female leader in luxury retail, Molly represents a new generation of innovators who are successfully bridging traditional luxury values with modern technological advances, all while maintaining the personal touch that defines high-end jewelry retail.
"We put people first. We believe that the greatest things in life take time."
— Molly Peterson, Bridal Buyer
Kendra Lindell
Diamond Buyer
Kendra Lindell's journey from childhood mineral collecting in Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains to becoming a diamond buyer at Ben Bridge Jeweler illustrates the evolving landscape of women in luxury jewelry. With a unique foundation in geology and extensive experience at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), including international work in Botswana, India, and Antwerp, Kendra brings a rare combination of scientific expertise and appreciation for natural beauty to her role.
As a diamond buyer, Kendra has made significant contributions to Ben Bridge through her commitment to gemological education and meticulous attention to quality control. Her perspective on natural diamonds, shaped by both scientific knowledge and artistic appreciation, has helped establish Ben Bridge's high standards in the industry.
Kendra represents a new generation of female leadership in luxury, noting the increasing trend of women self-purchasing fine jewelry and the growing opportunities for women in the industry. Her own story, marked by the purchase of a Cartier watch to celebrate becoming a diamond buyer, reflects the changing dynamics of luxury jewelry consumption, where women are increasingly making independent purchasing decisions rather than waiting for gifts.
“Because of all my diamond grading expertise, I have really learned to look at and appreciate every single diamond individually. With a round brilliant, one SI1 G is not the same as another SI1 G - every single diamond is unique and different.”
— Kendra Lindell, Diamond Buyer
Celeste Watches
Celeste Wong's journey from Silicon Valley engineer to luxury watchmaker represents a groundbreaking shift in the traditionally male-dominated watch industry. As the founder of her eponymous watch brand, she's redefining luxury timepieces by emphasizing personal connection and artistic expression over mere technical specifications. Her unique approach combines intricate craftsmanship using materials like mother-of-pearl and abalone shell with deeply personal design elements that resonate emotionally with wearers.
What sets Celeste's business model apart is her direct-to-consumer approach through art festivals, where 75% of her customers are women buying for themselves. Her custom creation process and emphasis on emotional connection have resulted in powerful customer experiences, with clients often becoming emotional upon finding pieces that reflect their personal stories.
As a female leader in luxury watchmaking, Celeste is helping to transform the industry by showing that timepieces can be more than status symbols – they can be vehicles for personal expression and storytelling. Her success demonstrates a shifting paradigm in luxury, where emotional resonance and personal meaning are becoming as important as traditional markers of exclusivity and price.