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RAPAPORT... The World Diamond Council (WDC) named Patricia Syvrud, the founder and president of Joia Consulting LLC, as the organization's first executive director, effective October 31, 2014. Syvrud, pictured, will report to the WDC's executive committee, assist the president, represent the group in the Kimberley Process and provide overall leadership and strategic direction to the organization. "The important work of the WDC was reflected in the caliber of the applicants for the executive director position," said Edward Asscher, the president of the WDC. "Patricia's breadth and depth of knowledge of the jewelry industry, as well as her previous experience in working with non-profit and international organizations make her an obvious choice in this new position for the WDC.  The entire board sees this appointment as further professionalizing the WDC and looks forward to working with her to continue to enhance the credibility and stature of the WDC in the international arena." In other news, members of the WDC will meet in Antwerp from October 28 to 30, for its annual meeting. Guests include Philippe Mellier, De Beers Group CEO, who will address an all day session on October 29 to focus on issues associated with the Kimberley Process. Members will also participate in a brainstorming meeting to take a broad view of various ethical, legal and financial challenges facing the Kimberley Process, including the risks related to rough diamond trading mentioned in a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) report earlier this year. In this respect, participants will discuss what strategies may be employed by WDC, specifically, and the industry in general. Prior to the meeting WDC members have been polled to gauge their opinions and the results of the survey will be analyzed and discussed. For more details about the 2014 annual meeting, please visit the group's website at www.worlddiamondcouncil.org.
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