Key takeaways
• Marianna Smirnova has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Community for Ethical Jewelry (CEJ) to lead its mission in ethical sourcing and sustainability.
• Smirnova brings over 18 years of experience in responsible mineral supply chains, having previously held senior leadership roles at the Responsible Minerals Initiative, Global Battery Alliance, and London Bullion Market Association.
• CEJ, formerly known as Ethical Metalsmiths, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering transparency and socially responsible practices across the global jewelry industry supply chain.
(CINCINNATI, OHIO) – Community for Ethical Jewelry (CEJ) today announced the appointment of Marianna Smirnova as Executive Director, reinforcing the organization’s leadership in ethical sourcing, sustainability, and responsible business practices across the jewelry industry.
With more than 18 years of experience in sustainability, human rights, responsible sourcing, due diligence, and mineral supply chains, Smirnova brings deep expertise and strategic leadership to the role. Her appointment comes at a pivotal time for both CEJ and the jewelry industry, as responsible business practices become increasingly central to long-term success. As a trusted resource and catalyst for progress, CEJ is helping shape a jewelry industry in which people, communities, and the environment are valued alongside business success. Under Smirnova’s leadership, the organization is poised to broaden its influence, deepen engagement across the sector, and accelerate its work in support of a more responsible and sustainable jewelry industry.
Most recently, Smirnova served as Senior Advisor to the Global Battery Alliance (GBA) and the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). Before that, she spent a decade with the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), where she served as Senior Director and Interim Head. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside many of the organizations helping advance responsible sourcing, ethical jewelry and artisanal mining worldwide, including the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), CRAFT, IMPACT, Artisanal Gold Council, Solidaridad, European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM), PPA, RESOLVE, Diamond Development Initiative (DDI), Swiss Better Gold Association (SBGA), WGC, PACT, Watch and Jewelry Initiative 2030.
“Community for Ethical Jewelry has long played an important role in bringing people together around a shared commitment to positive change,” said Smirnova. “At a time when ethical sourcing, environmental stewardship, and respect for human rights are more important than ever, I am honored to join CEJ. I look forward to working closely with our members, volunteers, partners, and leadership to advance meaningful initiatives fostering an inclusive and diverse community – one that supports artistry, creativity, equitable opportunities, amplifies underrepresented voices, and strengthens meaningful collaboration across the jewelry value chain. Together, we can drive lasting change that benefits jewelers, artisanal and small-scale producers, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and all those whose livelihoods are connected to our industry.”
“We could not be more excited to welcome Marianna to CEJ,” said Brandee Dallow, President of Community for Ethical Jewelry. “For more than two decades, CEJ has championed the belief that responsible business is essential to the future of the jewelry industry. Marianna’s appointment reflects our commitment to building on that legacy. She brings extraordinary expertise, strategic vision, and a collaborative approach that will help strengthen our programs, deepen industry engagement, and help CEJ reach its next level of impact. I am incredibly optimistic about what we will accomplish together and the opportunities ahead for CEJ and the industry we serve.”
Founded on the belief that jewelry can be a force for good, CEJ empowers professionals and organizations to strengthen ethical sourcing, sustainability, and responsible business practices throughout the value chain. Through education, community-building, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement, CEJ helps foster a jewelry industry that creates lasting value for businesses, people, communities, and the environment. As Executive Director, Smirnova will work closely with CEJ’s Board of Directors, members, volunteers, and partners to advance the organization’s mission and guide its next chapter of growth, engagement, and industry leadership.
About Community for Ethical Jewelry
Community for Ethical Jewelry (CEJ), formerly Ethical Metalsmiths, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 to inspire responsible jewelry practices through education, connection, and action. We unite a global community of retailers, wholesalers, suppliers, designers, educators, and students committed to transparency and to socially and environmentally responsible practices across the supply chain.
