Press Release

GIA Honors Susan Jacques

During the GIA Board of Governors meeting in early November at the Institute’s headquarters in Carlsbad, CA, the Institute honored Susan M. Jacques with its highest honor, the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement.
Recipients of the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement (left-to-right) GIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula; Kathryn Kimmel, GIA’s first chief marketing officer (retired); Susan Jacques; GIA Executive Vice President and Chief Laboratory and Research Officer Tom Moses; Alice Keller, long-time editor of Gems & Gemology (retired); and GIA Distinguished Research Fellow Dr. James E. Shigley.

Dr. Barbara Dutrow retires from GIA Board of Governors

CARLSBAD, Calif. – November 10, 2025 – During the GIA Board of Governors meeting in early November at the Institute’s headquarters in Carlsbad, California, the Institute honored Susan M. Jacques with its highest honor, the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement. The Board also recognized the exceptional service of retiring Governor Barbara L. Dutrow, Ph.D., the Williams Alumni Distinguished Professor of Geology at Louisiana State University. 
 
Chair of the GIA Board of Governors Lisa Locklear and GIA President and CEO Pritesh Patel presented the Liddicoat Award to Jacques, who stepped down as GIA’s sixth president and CEO in August and will retire at the end of the year. “It is with great pride and admiration that we present the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement to Susan Jacques,” said Lisa Locklear. She continued, “A leader throughout her remarkable career, Susan has been the heart and soul of GIA.” Pritesh Patel added, “Susan’s vision, integrity, compassion, and unwavering dedication influenced GIA, the gem and jewelry industry, and everyone she has shared her time with. That positivity will resonate for years to come.”
 
Recognizing Governor Dutrow's contributions since she joined the board in 2016, Locklear said, “Dr. Dutrow’s deep scientific expertise has been invaluable as GIA and the Board navigated the challenges and opportunities of the past decade. Her knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for GIA’s mission will be missed.”
 
Since its establishment in 1994, the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement has been awarded to just 14 individuals. Three of those continue to contribute their expertise to GIA – analytical microscopist John Koivula; Tom Moses, the executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer; and Dr. James E. Shigley, GIA’s only distinguished research fellow.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight and, in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which is recognized around the world as the standard for diamond quality.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science and professionalism.