Recognizing the next generation of leaders in the industry, global non-profit Diamonds Do Good has tapped Feriel Zerouki, Kealeboga Pule, Kecia Caffie, and Alexis Padis, to be its inaugural award recipients. The Next Gen Awards will be presented at Diamonds Do Good’s annual gala on June 9, at the Venetian Hotel, Palazzo Ballroom Las Vegas, NV.

Anna Martin, President, Diamonds Do Good says, “Our goal is to recognize leaders who represent the future for our industry. These individuals span the mining, manufacturing and retail sectors and we will highlight their accomplishments in their respective fields and support of the communities where they do business.”  

Inaugural recipients include:

Feriel Zerouki: First elected female incoming President of the World Council (WDC), Feriel is SVP Corporate Affairs, De Beers Group. She was instrumental in developing and leading ethical programs at De Beers Group all aiming to raise industry standards and push the sustainability agenda forward in the diamond industry. Starting with the Best Practice Principles, through to provenance initiatives such as Tracr and developing solutions to integrate artisanal miners to the international trade through GemFair, Feriel has already left her mark on the industry.

Kealeboga Pule: A member of the Young Diamantaires, Kealeboga is the Founder, Manufacturer & Bespoke Diamond Jeweller of Nungu Diamonds, based in South Africa. His commitment to his community extends beyond providing jobs for young South Africans as he seeks to change the world diamond narrative by refocusing the diamond consumer back to‘why’ diamonds– their unique origin and their impact on socio-economic development at producer countries and manufacturing centers around the world

Kecia Caffie: As President of Banter by Piercing Pagoda since 2017, Kecia has helped the brand connect with their millennial and Gen-Z customer base who are fiercely independent, tech-savvy, creative and non-conformist in their style choices and identities. She is a proven and inspirational leader.

Alexis Padis: Next generation jeweler of the Padis family and President of Padis Jewelry since 2019, Alexis has had first-hand experience successfully pivoting through the pandemic years embracing an omnichannel approach while taking risks that proved fruitful for her business andcommunity.  President-elect for the American Gem Society, she received the 2021 Young Titleholder of the Year Award and was recently recognized as one of the “20 under 40” by Jewelers of America.  She takes to heart the responsibility of the independent jeweler to promote ethical business practices, uphold consumer protection and continue their jewelry education while supporting her own local community.

“The recipients of these awards reflect the importance of engaging community around the world”, says DDG Co-Founder and Civil Rights Leader Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Jr., “Now more than ever we need to reaffirm and share this commitment with consumers everywhere”.