The Fortunoff family has always been proud to support women in business, in the jewelry business in particular, and even more especially, women in retail jewelry. As judges, our President Esther Fortunoff-Greene, Ruth Fortunoff-Cooper, Gabrielle Grazi and Danielle Gaudio-Lalehzar, are proud to introduce you to this year's winner of the scholarship established by the Fortunoff family in honor of the late Helene Fortunoff, who led the way and helped to shatter a lot of glass ceilings. Congratulations to Heather Ingraham, G.G.
I am honored to share that I have been chosen as the 2024 recipient of the Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship in partnership with the Women's Jewelry Association (WJA). I am so proud to be part of Helene’s legacy. As a compassionate role model, Helene left an indelible mark on those who worked for her. She was a trailblazer who built a multi-million-dollar jewelry empire at a time when the jewelry industry was male dominated. Along with her business success, she was also known for her generosity and philanthropy. I am grateful to Esther Fortunoff-Greene, Ruth Fortunoff-Cooper, Gabrielle Grazi and Danielle Gaudio-Lalehzar for this award. I understand that the greatest gift you can give someone is to believe in them. Thank you for believing in me and I intend to make you proud. Education and generosity are key components of my life, and I will use this opportunity to teach others what I have learned. In March, I will be able to use the scholarship to attend Yale School of Management Women’s Leadership Program, a weeklong course devoted to strengthening leadership skills, creating strategic visions, driving growth through innovation, and making sharp decisions. #education #yale #wja #diamonds #jewelry #philanthropy #scholarship