GIA Dean of Students Susan Elliott received the Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) Award for Excellence in the category of "Special Services: Professional Women Serving the Jewelry Industry." Anna Martin, a GIA governor, also received a WJA honor – the Lifetime Achievement Award – at the organization's gala on July 29.

Elliott began her career in the industry in 1974 as a retail sales associate for Bullock's department store and subsequently earned her Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA. She oversees student life at the Institute and maintains the policies and procedures of its Education programs. Elliott is also an active member of the WJA; she chaired the DIVA committee from 2003 to 2005 and served as president of the San Diego chapter from 2002 to 2005.

Martin is senior vice president and regional manager of ABN AMRO Bank, the largest provider of financial products and services to the diamond and jewelry industry. She has received several other honors throughout her 38-year tenure with the bank, including induction into the Diamond Hall of Fame by the U.S. Diamond Industry Steering Committee, and the Doyenne of the Year Award from the Indian Diamond Colorstone Association.

The Awards for Excellence are a way for the WJA to honor a number of outstanding women in the gem and jewelry industry who have excelled in their jobs, which in turn advances the cause of women as a whole.