The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has created a new position to oversee alumni and GemKids programmes and appointed Shahdeh Ammadi to the post. Ammadi will be designated Director of Institute Relations.

“Formerly director of alumni relations and annual giving at the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP) in New York, Ammadi will oversee the Institute’s global alumni programme, the GemKids programme for young, aspiring gemmologists as well as guest services at GIA’s Carlsbad headquarters,” GIA announced.

“The more than 130,000 active GIA alumni in 65 chapters around the world are important ambassadors for our Institute and help to fulfill our mission to ensure the public trust in gems and jewellery,” said GIA President and CEO Susan Jacques. “Shahdeh brings unique experience and expertise that will help us enhance, re-envision and implement programmes, resources and infrastructure to support life-long learning and success for our wonderful and dedicated GIA graduates.”

“I am very excited to bring my experience to GIA and its incredible alumni,” said Ammadi. “I look forward to working with the volunteer alumni leaders to help them meet the needs and interests of their chapter members, and to advance GIA’s consumer protection mission.”

Ammadi will be based in Carlsbad, California and report  to Vice President of Education and Chief Academic Officer, Duncan Pay.

GIA’s GemKids programme introduces children between the ages of 9 to 12 years, to minerals, gems and gemmology. “GIA offers this engaging gemmology learning experience at the Institute’s Carlsbad headquarters – where nearly 5,000 students take part each year – and in other locations, including Botswana and South Africa,” GIA said.

Ammadi will also lead the guest services team, which hosted 5,000 additional visitors at the Carlsbad headquarters for tours of the Institute in 2018.

Commencing her career at the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, D.C.,   where she restarted their alumni relations programme,  Ammadi went on to  Columbia to  establish  an alumni mentorship programme and, through a combination of data analysis, global events and outreach, dramatically increased GSAPP’s brand recognition. She received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California San Diego and an executive Master of Science degree in strategic communication from Columbia. She holds a certificate in jewellery making and design from Corcoran College.