Our Team

The Board

David Prager - Chairman Chief Brand Officer & Executive Vice President, De Beers

David Prager - Chairman

Chief Brand Officer & Executive Vice President, De Beers

David has overseen the marketing of De Beers and its brands for the past 17 years while leading the Group’s commitment to creating a positive impact in the lives of people and the health of the planet through its ‘Building Forever’ sustainability framework.

His tenure with the company began in 2006, holding previous positions as Executive Vice-President of Corporate Affairs and Director of Communications. David began his career as a White House Intern during the Clinton Administration. He went on to oversee UK communications for AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and worked for Ogilvy PR in New York and London, providing counsel to clients including GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Virgin Atlantic, and Coca-Cola.

David Prager - Chairman Chief Brand Officer & Executive Vice President, De Beers
David Prager - Chairman
Chief Brand Officer & Executive Vice President, De Beers

David has overseen the marketing of De Beers and its brands for the past 17 years while leading the Group’s commitment to creating a positive impact in the lives of people and the health of the planet through its ‘Building Forever’ sustainability framework.

His tenure with the company began in 2006, holding previous positions as Executive Vice-President of Corporate Affairs and Director of Communications. David began his career as a White House Intern during the Clinton Administration. He went on to oversee UK communications for AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and worked for Ogilvy PR in New York and London, providing counsel to clients including GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Virgin Atlantic, and Coca-Cola.

Patrick Coppens - Vice Chair General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Rio Tinto

Patrick Coppens - Vice Chair

General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Rio Tinto

Patrick has served as General Manager of Sales and Marketing for Rio Tinto’s Diamonds business for almost 14 years. He holds a Graduate Degree in Diamonds and Diamond Grading from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and is a qualified Investment Adviser from the EHSAL Management School in Brussels. He has more than 30 years of experience in rough and polished diamond sales, marketing, and business development, having been closely involved in the commercialization of diamond mines across different continents. Patrick is based in Antwerp, Belgium, and has worked across a global diamond portfolio from mine to market that has included Australia, Canada, Africa, China, Japan, the US, and Europe.

Patrick Coppens - Vice Chair General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Rio Tinto
Patrick Coppens - Vice Chair
General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Rio Tinto

Patrick has served as General Manager of Sales and Marketing for Rio Tinto’s Diamonds business for almost 14 years. He holds a Graduate Degree in Diamonds and Diamond Grading from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and is a qualified Investment Adviser from the EHSAL Management School in Brussels. He has more than 30 years of experience in rough and polished diamond sales, marketing, and business development, having been closely involved in the commercialization of diamond mines across different continents. Patrick is based in Antwerp, Belgium, and has worked across a global diamond portfolio from mine to market that has included Australia, Canada, Africa, China, Japan, the US, and Europe.

Richard Duffy Chief Executive Officer, Petra Diamonds Limited

Richard Duffy

Chief Executive Officer, Petra Diamonds Limited

Richard has spent more than 30 years working in the global mining industry, initially with Anglo American plc and then AngloGold Ashanti Limited, since its inception in 1998. In 2008, he was appointed Executive Vice President of Africa Region and continued in this role until January 2010 when he began overseeing operations in Namibia, Tanzania, Guinea, Ghana, and Mali and a joint venture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2013, Richard was appointed Chief Financial Officer and was tasked with overseeing all financial matters, including the formulation and execution of financial business strategy, debt and equity financing. In 2015, Richard became the Co-Founder and Director of Africa Energy Management Platform, a private energy company targeting industrial and mining clients in sub-Saharan Africa. He joined Petra Diamonds as CEO in April 2019.

Richard Duffy Chief Executive Officer, Petra Diamonds Limited
Richard Duffy
Chief Executive Officer, Petra Diamonds Limited

Richard has spent more than 30 years working in the global mining industry, initially with Anglo American plc and then AngloGold Ashanti Limited, since its inception in 1998. In 2008, he was appointed Executive Vice President of Africa Region and continued in this role until January 2010 when he began overseeing operations in Namibia, Tanzania, Guinea, Ghana, and Mali and a joint venture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2013, Richard was appointed Chief Financial Officer and was tasked with overseeing all financial matters, including the formulation and execution of financial business strategy, debt and equity financing. In 2015, Richard became the Co-Founder and Director of Africa Energy Management Platform, a private energy company targeting industrial and mining clients in sub-Saharan Africa. He joined Petra Diamonds as CEO in April 2019.

Grant Flanagan Board of Directors, RZM Murowa

Grant Flanagan

Board of Directors, RZM Murowa

Grant has spent more than 20 years specializing in the frontier and emerging markets of Africa. He has served as the Chief Operations Officer of EFT Corp, a Mauritius-headquartered business with offices in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Grant is the founding Chief Executive of Atria Africa, an investment banking boutique, and has also served as the Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of the Asset Management Division of the Imara Group.

Grant Flanagan Board of Directors, RZM Murowa
Grant Flanagan
Board of Directors, RZM Murowa

Grant has spent more than 20 years specializing in the frontier and emerging markets of Africa. He has served as the Chief Operations Officer of EFT Corp, a Mauritius-headquartered business with offices in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Grant is the founding Chief Executive of Atria Africa, an investment banking boutique, and has also served as the Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of the Asset Management Division of the Imara Group.

Natural Diamond Council Executive Team

David Kellie

David Kellie

David Kellie, Chief Executive Officer, has more than 30 years of experience in leading marketing campaigns for some of the most influential brands around the world. David previously oversaw the marketing launch of the UK’s largest luxury timepiece retailer, Watches of Switzerland Group, into the US. Prior to that, he spent 15 years with Ralph Lauren initially in Geneva, Switzerland and then in New York where he led the global marketing and advertising teams across the full portfolio of brands and business. David currently lives in New York.

David Kellie
David Kellie

David Kellie, Chief Executive Officer, has more than 30 years of experience in leading marketing campaigns for some of the most influential brands around the world. David previously oversaw the marketing launch of the UK’s largest luxury timepiece retailer, Watches of Switzerland Group, into the US. Prior to that, he spent 15 years with Ralph Lauren initially in Geneva, Switzerland and then in New York where he led the global marketing and advertising teams across the full portfolio of brands and business. David currently lives in New York.

Katja Thoelen

Katja Thoelen

Katja Thoelen, Chief Financial Officer, has worked with global companies across several industries for more than two decades. Katja is responsible for managing finance, accounting, legal, tax and human resources. Katja has held senior positions at Xella, DME Europe, ITAB Shop Concept, British Petroleum Belgium, and currently lives in Antwerp, Belgium.

Katja Thoelen
Katja Thoelen

Katja Thoelen, Chief Financial Officer, has worked with global companies across several industries for more than two decades. Katja is responsible for managing finance, accounting, legal, tax and human resources. Katja has held senior positions at Xella, DME Europe, ITAB Shop Concept, British Petroleum Belgium, and currently lives in Antwerp, Belgium.

 Kristina Buckley Kayel

Kristina Buckley Kayel

Kristina Buckley Kayel, Managing Director & CMO of North America, steers Only Natural Diamonds, the consumer-facing editorial platform, advertising campaigns, trade and retail partnerships, education, press, and consumer insights. Kristina oversaw marketing and communications at Van Cleef & Arpels for over a decade. She has also held senior marketing roles at Baccarat, Bottega Veneta, and Ferragamo. Kristina currently lives in New York.

 Kristina Buckley Kayel
Kristina Buckley Kayel

Kristina Buckley Kayel, Managing Director & CMO of North America, steers Only Natural Diamonds, the consumer-facing editorial platform, advertising campaigns, trade and retail partnerships, education, press, and consumer insights. Kristina oversaw marketing and communications at Van Cleef & Arpels for over a decade. She has also held senior marketing roles at Baccarat, Bottega Veneta, and Ferragamo. Kristina currently lives in New York.

Sissi Xu

Sissi Xu

Sissi Xu, the Managing Director for Greater China at the Natural Diamond Council, directs the strategic planning and execution of marketing, communication, social and digital strategy, training, and education. She proactively initiates collaborative efforts with retail and trade partners, driving the establishment and nurturing of key retail partnerships in the Chinese market. With nearly two decades of extensive expertise, Sissi has consistently demonstrated excellence in marketing communication and brand promotion. Before joining NDC, Sissi dedicated 5 years to The LEGO Group, leading retail management and shopper marketing. Preceding this, she spent 7 years with SEPHORA China, an esteemed cosmetics retail brand under the French luxury group LVMH, where she oversaw marketing communication, retail activation, PR, and events.

Leveraging her profound knowledge of the luxury goods and lifestyle industry, coupled with an insightful understanding of Chinese millennial consumers, Sissi Xu, with a wealth of leadership experience, leads the NDC Chinese team in championing the natural diamond dream among Chinese consumers.

Sissi Xu
Sissi Xu

Sissi Xu, the Managing Director for Greater China at the Natural Diamond Council, directs the strategic planning and execution of marketing, communication, social and digital strategy, training, and education. She proactively initiates collaborative efforts with retail and trade partners, driving the establishment and nurturing of key retail partnerships in the Chinese market. With nearly two decades of extensive expertise, Sissi has consistently demonstrated excellence in marketing communication and brand promotion. Before joining NDC, Sissi dedicated 5 years to The LEGO Group, leading retail management and shopper marketing. Preceding this, she spent 7 years with SEPHORA China, an esteemed cosmetics retail brand under the French luxury group LVMH, where she oversaw marketing communication, retail activation, PR, and events.

Leveraging her profound knowledge of the luxury goods and lifestyle industry, coupled with an insightful understanding of Chinese millennial consumers, Sissi Xu, with a wealth of leadership experience, leads the NDC Chinese team in championing the natural diamond dream among Chinese consumers.

Raluca Anghel

Raluca Anghel

Raluca Anghel, Head of External Affairs and Industry Relations, is responsible for global external engagement and public affairs, while also spearheading communication and marketing efforts in Europe. Raluca skilfully coordinated Microsoft’s European storytelling agenda before transitioning to the European Parliament. There, she excelled in leading public relations campaigns and crafting policies related to vital areas such as social affairs, SME growth and technology. Raluca has held the role of Spokesperson for the Romanian Presidency of the European Union Council. With an extensive 11-year tenure in Brussels, she now lives in the UK.

Raluca Anghel
Raluca Anghel

Raluca Anghel, Head of External Affairs and Industry Relations, is responsible for global external engagement and public affairs, while also spearheading communication and marketing efforts in Europe. Raluca skilfully coordinated Microsoft’s European storytelling agenda before transitioning to the European Parliament. There, she excelled in leading public relations campaigns and crafting policies related to vital areas such as social affairs, SME growth and technology. Raluca has held the role of Spokesperson for the Romanian Presidency of the European Union Council. With an extensive 11-year tenure in Brussels, she now lives in the UK.

Richa Singh

Richa Singh

Richa Singh, Managing Director of India and Middle East, has worked in luxury marketing for over 25 years. An innovative strategist, Richa has a deep understanding of the luxury consumer landscape and leads the execution of consumer and partner-facing activations aimed at boosting the natural diamond category. Richa has held senior positions at L’Oreal where she helped scale up and build brands across diverse categories encompassing beauty and luxury products. Richa currently lives in Mumbai, India.

Richa Singh
Richa Singh

Richa Singh, Managing Director of India and Middle East, has worked in luxury marketing for over 25 years. An innovative strategist, Richa has a deep understanding of the luxury consumer landscape and leads the execution of consumer and partner-facing activations aimed at boosting the natural diamond category. Richa has held senior positions at L’Oreal where she helped scale up and build brands across diverse categories encompassing beauty and luxury products. Richa currently lives in Mumbai, India.