Ms. Havel has her MSc in Sustainable Development. Masters in Marketing and Sales with a specialization in Advertising and PR. She has worked with organizations from startups to multinationals. For the past nine years she has years she has worked with NGOs in business development, responsible supply chains, relationship management, marketing and communications.

Promoter of sustainable development, fair trade, ethical markets. Based in Medellin, Colombia since 2014. 

The panel will be moderated by Monica Stephenson (ANZA Gems, Moyo Gems), and will also feature Eric Braunwart (Columbia Gem House), Cristina Villegas (PACT Worldwide), Eunice Negele (TAWOMA), Monica Gichuci (African Women in Mining Association), and Conny Havel (Fairmined). They will discuss the challenges of creating market strategies for small-scale mining organizations and examine the things that must be done to promote their effective participation in responsible supply chains.

Born and raised in Western Montana, Mariele spent her early life in the rivers and woods, exploring and creating art inspired by her beautiful surroundings. It was in a 1920s barn turned wooden boat studio that she created her first jewelry piece at the age of 5. As her journey as an artist began, she realized that being an artist isn't just about producing work - it's about the way you live your life. She studied anthropology and fine art at university, then moved from the mountains of Montana to the city of San Francisco, where she established her first design studio.

Respect for nature and honor and care for the planet are pillars of her business and personal life. Her jewelry features recycled gold, sterling silver, conflict free diamonds and 100% American-mined stones for inlay. Her stones are sourced raw and in their original forms, directly from miners around the country.

"I do not think inspiration is divine. I think its intrinsic, but ignited by the elements around you. I like to imagine it like a seed that won't be a flower until its ready. All you can do is keep it nurtured with water, sun, healthy soil, essentially a healthy subconscious. When ideas seem to spring forward out of nowhere, I can see how one might like to look outside ones self for the source, but I think its healthy to acknowledge the power our minds have to surprise us. I try to practice being grateful and aware of my surroundings. This helps me develop a keen eye for the small details that will eventually be part of that “flower“ later. ”

It can be challenging for small jewelry producers to achieve transparent supply chains. While meaningful progress is finally being made in the jewelry industry, much of that work has been targeted at larger corporations with large purchasing departments, and on supply chain initiatives that serve larger volumes. The jewelry designer panel at Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference has been a big hit each year. It is an excellent opportunity for designers who have achieved blazed a responsibility trail to share their knowledge, experience, and practices with other small producers.

This panel will be moderated by Brandee Dallow (Responsible Jewellery Council), and will include Dana Bronfman (Dana Bronfman Jewelry), Deborah Spencer (Trios Studio),  Mariele Ivy (Young in the Mountains), and Meri Geraldine (Gardens of the Sun).

Deborah Spencer is a designer and goldsmith at Trios Studio in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Together with her studio mates, she creates one-of-a-kind jewelry and does repair and restoration work. 

Trios Studio and it's suppliers are environmentally conscious, have mindful production, provide fair wages, and use recycled metals. They have worked hard to create a truly transparent supply chain.

It can be challenging for small jewelry producers to achieve transparent supply chains. While meaningful progress is finally being made in the jewelry industry, much of that work has been targeted at larger corporations with large purchasing departments, and on supply chain initiatives that serve larger volumes. The jewelry designer panel at Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference has been a big hit each year. It is an excellent opportunity for designers who have achieved blazed a responsibility trail to share their knowledge, experience, and practices with other small producers.

This panel will be moderated by Brandee Dallow (Responsible Jewellery Council), and will include Deborah Spencer (Trios Studio), Meri Geraldine (Gardens of the Sun), Dana Bronfman (Dana Bronfman Jewelry), and Mariele Ivy (Young in the Mountains).

“Rebecca is the responsible gemstone program manager for Pact and serves on Pact’s Innovation Team. For almost 10 years, she has worked at the intersection of international social impact, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Prior to coming to Washington, she ran a social incubator and fellowship program (aptly named  “The Mine”), working alongside leading foundations, entrepreneurs, and non-profits to launch sustainable solutions to social problems. A passionate social entrepreneur,  she has consulted for several social enterprises throughout Southeast Asia on creating social impact through ethical sourcing and responsible supply chains, most recently working in Cambodia. Rebecca holds an MA in social enterprise from American University, where she focused on sustainability and women’s economic empowerment.“

"Moyo Gems is an ethical colored gemstone collaboration of Pact, Everledger, TAWOMA, Nineteen48 and ANZA Gems. Alongside AWIMA, we’re exploring the potential of online marketplaces for rough gemstones in order to streamline and scale ethical purchasing operations. We’re looking for feedback on what works for YOU and understand potential demand by ethical cutters, designers and retailers for more direct connection to miners and traders.

Please join us for an interactive co-design session and workshop what an online marketplace for rough stones could look like. We’ll work through the functions needed, documentation/data you would want, and potential “give back” concepts that could be developed later for retailer and end consumers."

This session will be led by Carrie George of Everledger and Rebecca Villalobos of PACT.  They will be joined by Monica Gichuhi of AWIMA and Salma Kundi of TAWOMA.

This is a panel discussion moderated by Mr. Fernandez. During this discussion, Mr. Fernandez, Paul Tullis (National Geographic), Kai Kresek (World Resources Institute), Jen Marraccino (Pure Earth) will discuss how and where mining contributes to forest loss, and a model for "forest secure" mining communities.

The Context: Sustainability challenges facing businesses and jewelry companies.

Practical Application: The approach to sustainability at Swarovski, and its responsible jewelry materials portfolio.

Dax Lovegrove has worked in corporate sustainability for nearly 20 years working across NGO and private sectors. He has advised companies in various sectors on their sustainability strategies and their role in accelerating the green economy.

Dax is the Global VP of Sustainability at Swarovski. He leads on the international strategy for the business moving forward in sustainability across the value chain - from supply chain practices to inspiring fashion designers to engaging customers.

He is also a Trustee at Earthwatch Europe.

Previously, he was Director of Sustainability & Innovation at home inprovememt company - Kingfisher plc where he worked on all things ‘net positive’ and innovative to progress the sustainability plan and advocacy activities across the group of operating companies in Europe.

Before this, he supported WWF’s international work with business for over a decade, developing the organisation's strategy for engaging with business & industry to win support for conservation and for shifts towards a green economy and he set up partnerships with the likes of M&S and Sky Television. He drove the net positive movement forward while also leading WWF’s international Green Game Changers programme – promoting green business innovation.

He has a Masters in Sustainable Development.