Our People
Board of Directors
President
Donna Hawrelko
FGA, FCGmA
Vice-President
Duncan Parker
FGA, FCGmA
Director of Education
Alexia Bryson
FCGmA
Treasurer
Adam Ostrow
FCGmA
Secretary
Breanne Avender
FGA, FCGmA
Past Honorary Directors
Dr. R.T. Boyd, FGA, FCGmA
R.I. Gait, MSc, PhD
Instructors, Staff and Volunteers
Anita Beardwood, FCGmA
Gemmology Accelerated Program Teacher
Conference Chairperson 2014
Anita is one of three of our Gemmology Accelerated Program’s full-time teacher, along with Karen Howard and Mayur Davé
Anita qualified for Fellowship with the CGA in 2000, and has been actively engaged ever since. She has served as Director of Education, taught general interest classes and worked with the CGA in a myriad of other ways. She most recently coordinated a world-class gemmology conference in April of 2014 in Toronto.
Karen Howard, FCGmA, RMV, CAP(CJA), AIJV
Gemmology Accelerated Program Teacher
Master Valuer Teacher
Conference Coordinator 2017
Karen is one of three of our Gemmology Accelerated Program’s full-time teacher. She is also our Master Valuer Teacher.
Karen has been a strong supporter of the CGA since she earned her Fellowship in 1989. Since then she has been involved with all aspects of the organization, including Secretary of the Board of Directors, Distance Education tutor, instructor for lab, appraisal and general interest courses, and highly skilled do-it-all volunteer.
Anna Yampolsky, FCGmA, RMV, CAP
Gemmology Program Practical Teacher
Anna Yampolsky is our Gemmology Program’s Practical teacher. She is a long-time member of the CGA and a teacher with us for the past 4 years. Anna started her training in Israel where she completed a Diamond Grading Course and worked at the Israeli Diamond Bourse. Anna earned her Master Valuer diploma and has over 20 years of gemmological experience.
Mayur Davé, FGA, GG, FCGmA
Gemmology Accelerated Program Teacher
Jewellery Associate – Gemmology Specialist Teacher
Gemmology Program – Theory Teacher
Mayur Davé is our Gemmology Program’s part-time Theory Teacher, teaching both the part-time and full-time Theory portion of the Gemmology Program. Mayur is a long-time member of the CGA, having served many positions – including our Education Secretary in the 1980’s. Mayur has also earned his credentials from GEM-A in London, England and The GIA in New York City, USA – both in residence. Mayur has over 42 years of gemmological experience to share with his students. Mayur also is a wholesale dealer and supplier of Gemstones and Pearls since 1975.
JoAnne Larmond
Office Administrator
JoAnne is the smiling face in the Toronto office and looks after the day to day operations for the CGA.
Past Executive Boards and Contributers
The CGA owes sincere thanks to many individuals who have contributed to the Association over the years. Below are listed only a few …
The First executive board of the Canadian Gemmological Association, 1959.
Back row, L to R: Dr R.T. Boyd, D.S.M. Field (President), Arnold Ritchie, Jack Stitt. Front row: Jack Gunning, Robert Wille
The 2009 executive board of the Canadian Gemmological Association.
L to R: Anita Beardwood (Conference Chair), Donna Hawrelko (Director of Education), Duncan Parker (President), Brad Wilson (Vice-President), Jennifer McKercher (Secretary of the Board), Glen King (Treasurer).
CGA Presidents
| 1958-60 | D.S.M Field | 1961 | Jack W. Gunning |
| 1962 | H.A. Creates | 1963 | Robert Arend |
| 1964 | Fred Waddington | 1965 | Michael Goad |
| 1966 | Bernard Hinton | 1967 | Harry Venables |
| 1968 | Jack Stitt | 1969 | Ed Green |
| 1970 | Peter Saalmans | 1971-72 | Herb Forth |
| 1973-75 | Richard Covent | 1976 | W.D. Goodger |
| 1977 | Lloyd Allingham | 1978-79 | R.M. Coxhead |
| 1980 | D.S.M. Field | 1981-85 | Warren Boyd |
| 1986-88 | Jeannine Dykstra | 1989-91 | Robert Shore |
| 1992 | James Hergel | 1993-96 | Dr Zia Hasan |
| 1996-97 | Heida Mani | 1997-2014 | Duncan Parker |