GIA appoints Pritesh Patel as president and CEO
Patel joined GIA in 2015 as chief information officer and was promoted to senior vice president and chief operating officer in 2017
Register to get 1 more free article
Reveal the article below by registering for our email newsletter.
Want unlimited access? View Plans
Already have an account? Sign in
Pritesh Patel has been appointed president and chief executive of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), effective 4 August 2025.
Patel, who currently serves as chief operating officer, will succeed Susan Jacques, who has led the institute since 2014. Jacques will stay on as a strategic advisor until her retirement at the end of the year.
The appointment follows a global search conducted by the GIA board of governors, which considered candidates both inside and outside the organisation.
Patel joined GIA in 2015 as chief information officer and was promoted to senior vice president and chief operating officer in 2017.
In his current role, he oversees operational strategy and innovation. He previously held senior positions at CIRCOR International, a manufacturer of engineered products for the energy and aerospace sectors.
Meanwhile, Jacques led GIA through industry and economic shifts, changing consumer habits and the COVID-19 pandemic. She championed its research, education, instrument development and laboratory services while maintaining its independence and integrity.
Patel said: “It is the honour of a lifetime to lead an institution as trusted and iconic as GIA. I’m inspired by GIA’s legacy of excellence and integrity, and I’m committed to building on that foundation with humility, purpose and a bold vision for the future.”
Jacques added: “I have always been a passionate advocate for GIA, its important mission of trust and its unique role as an industry leader in the global gem and jewellery industry. I am delighted that the Board of Governors has selected Pritesh as my successor and the next leader of this amazing organisation.”
Lisa Locklear, chair of the board, concluded: “I’ve been associated with GIA for most of my adult life, first as a student, then as a Governor and as CEO for the last 12 years. I have always been a passionate advocate for GIA, its important mission of trust and its unique role as an industry leader in the global gem and jewellery industry.
“I am delighted that the board of governors has selected Pritesh as my successor and the next leader of this amazing organisation. I, along with our GIA colleagues, will do everything we can to ensure his success. I am confident that GIA’s best days are ahead.”
