Podcast recorded by Anne Desmarest de Jotemps
In this episode of the Brillante podcast, Anne Desmarest Joptemps welcomes two remarkable women: Olga Oleksenko, founder of Strong and Precious, a charitable foundation supporting Ukrainian jewellery art, and Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos, president of the Armenian Jeweller Association (AJA).
Through the beauty of jewellery created by Ukrainian and Armenian designers, these two associations, inspired by Stendhal’s philosophy that “Beauty is only the promise of happiness”, convey a powerful message of resilience. Olga and Ivette share their journeys, the evolution of their associations, and the incredible creativity of the jewellers they support. These associations were featured at GemGeneve, where they were given exhibition space and media exposure.
Olga Oleksenko, a former Van Cleef & Arpels ambassador in Ukraine and luxury industry expert, founded Strong and Precious to promote Ukrainian jewellery art. Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos, former Director of High Jewellery at Tiffany & Co. and former Vice President of De Beers, sheds light on her impressive career and expertise in the field.
Their inspiring advice:
- Olga Oleksenko: Find the goal that scares you—the one that makes you tremble. This trembling will give you the energy to move forward.
- Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos: Never take a job just for the sake of having a job. If you don’t believe in what you do, you’re not in the right place. Your self-satisfaction and productivity will improve once your work aligns with your true passion.
A must-listen for a message of courage, passion, and resilience!
Brillante is the podcast dedicated to women in the jewellery industry, hosted by Anne Desmarest Joptemps, founder of Il était une fois le bijou.