The Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) Global Leadership Program met for the third year in succession at the Harvard Business School (HBS) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with this year’s theme being Disruptive Innovation.
Around 45 top executives from 14 countries and 15 industry sectors, including retail, manufacturing, mining and cutting were represented at leadership program, where there was a focus on innovation in a rapidly changing world.
Participants studied several case studies, including the evolution of the Dove brand, how Uber has changed the way the world moves and Amazon’s innovation in a digital economy.
The GIA in conjunction with HBS initiated the program in 2014 to bring global leaders representing different sectors of the gem and jewelry industry to examine issues faced by other industries and apply lessons from those industries to their own.
“This extraordinary educational program creates a unique platform for thought-leaders in the gem and jewelry industry to exchange ideas, examine opportunities and debate solutions for the challenges that lie ahead,” said GIA president and CEO Susan Jacques.
