2026 TJA Convention in Austin TX, October 10-11
Our 2026 Speakers
Add Your Heading Text Here
Add Your Heading Text Here
Leela Hutchison, G.G., Bio
Sonoma, CA
Leela Hutchison, G.G. (GIA), is a gemologist, explorer, researcher, and author best known as one of the first explorers to enter the Giant Crystal Cave at Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico, in January 2001. During that historic expedition, she documented the world’s largest known selenite crystals and captured the first photographs ever released from the cave.
Her pioneering work in one of Earth’s most extreme environments has inspired more than two decades of research into the geology, history, and scientific significance of the Naica crystal caves, including their unusual microbial discoveries and potential astrobiological implications.
Leela has presented her work at the Smithsonian Institution, The Explorers Club, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the American Gem Trade Association, and numerous scientific organizations. She is the author of Journey into the Giant Selenite Crystal Caves of Mexico, and her research has been featured on the History Channel, GAIA TV, and other national media
Lisa Kennedy
Gemological Institute of America
Lisa Kennedy is a GIA subject specialist in gemology including the areas of diamond and colored stone identification. She started in the jewelry industry as a sales associate for a fine jewelry store. While completing the GIA Graduate Gemologist program and the Gem-A Gemmology Foundation course, she joined GIA as a gemologist focusing on
fancy colored diamonds and diamond identification. She went on to become a gemology instructor and subject specialist at GIA, writing new gemology curriculum and sharing her passion for gems by imparting her knowledge to students. In this role, Lisa has led seminars and webinars to foster continuing education and training for trade members. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with an emphasis in
crystallography.
Add Your Heading Text Here
David Baker, Bio
Katy, Texas
David Baker began his jewelry career at the bench in 1972. Over the next five decades, he became a GIA Graduate Gemologist and an American Gem Society Certified Gemologist, taught gemology internationally for GIA, worked in retail and wholesale, and served as director of Cintrem, Ltd., a subsidiary of Leo Schachter, Inc.
He later owned retail jewelry concern, David Baker Creative Jewelers/Baker Jeweler-Gemologist in Dublin, Ohio, while additionally providing appraisal services for 26 additional jewelry stores. After relocating to Houston, he established a trade appraisal business, joined the appraisal staff at Amber’s Jewelers in Katy, Texas, and served as Membership and Education Manager for the American Gem Trade Association from 2014 through 2024.
David, a noted public speaker at JCK, GIA Alumni, WJA, SNAG, as well as AGTA, he is also an internationally published and frequently Google cited author. His seminal article, “Revolution in Diamond Cutting: Laser Sawing of Diamond Crystals,” was originally published in GIA’s Gems & Gemology and continues to be referenced today.
Of personal note, David has been one of the Top 100 Individual Fundraisers for Susan Komen Race for the Cure – Houston; a patient advocate for the National Cancer Institute/M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Breast Cancer. In addition, He served through 2011 as a national patient advocate for Southwest Oncology Group, and an international patient advocate for the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Consortium. In addition, he is a patient advocate for Susan Komen Tissue Bank, Indianapolis, Indiana and has served as a patient advocate for the California Breast Cancer Research Fund.
A Panel Discussion of How to Hire and Keep Good Employees and Jewelers-presented by a group of retail jewelry leaders.
This panel discussion brings together experienced retail jewelry leaders to share practical strategies for finding, hiring, and keeping great employees and skilled jewelers in today’s competitive marketplace. Panelists will discuss where they successfully recruit talent, what they look for when hiring, and how they build a workplace where good people want to stay. The conversation will also explore compensation, benefits, incentives, training, advancement opportunities, workplace culture, and employee recognition. Attendees will leave with proven ideas they can put to work in their own stores to attract better candidates, strengthen their teams, and improve long-term employee retention.
em ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
