Our Team
The Board
Sandrine Conseiller - Chair
CEO, De Beers Brands (Brands & Consumer Markets) & member of the De Beers Executive Committee
Sandrine joined De Beers from Maus Freres Brands Group, where for almost eight years she held the role of CEO, Aigle (an outdoor clothing and accessories brand) and previously the role of Group Marketing & Branding Executive Vice President for Lacoste. Prior to this, and throughout her career, she has held senior leadership roles in Marketing, General Management and Audit disciplines across various geographies when working for Unilever.
She holds a Master’s in Business Management from NEOMA Business School and has an International Directors Programme Certificate from INSEAD. She had the honor of receiving the Chevalière de l’Ordre National du Mérite (Knight of the French Republic) in recognition for promoting diversity in business while developing sustainability within the French industry.
Sandrine has served as Board Member and Senior Advisor, including at PPYarns, Carbios and Raise Sherpas.
Outside of her professional life, Sandrine enjoys time with her friends and especially her family.
Sandrine Conseiller - Chair
CEO, De Beers Brands (Brands & Consumer Markets) & member of the De Beers Executive Committee
Sandrine joined De Beers from Maus Freres Brands Group, where for almost eight years she held the role of CEO, Aigle (an outdoor clothing and accessories brand) and previously the role of Group Marketing & Branding Executive Vice President for Lacoste. Prior to this, and throughout her career, she has held senior leadership roles in Marketing, General Management and Audit disciplines across various geographies when working for Unilever.
She holds a Master’s in Business Management from NEOMA Business School and has an International Directors Programme Certificate from INSEAD. She had the honor of receiving the Chevalière de l’Ordre National du Mérite (Knight of the French Republic) in recognition for promoting diversity in business while developing sustainability within the French industry.
Sandrine has served as Board Member and Senior Advisor, including at PPYarns, Carbios and Raise Sherpas.
Outside of her professional life, Sandrine enjoys time with her friends and especially her family.
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 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 has 27 years of global mining industry experience, initially with Anglo American plc and then AngloGold Ashanti Limited, from its inception in 1998. In 2008, he was appointed Executive Vice President, Africa Region and continued in this role until January 2010 when he took charge of the Continental Africa Region, with operations in Namibia, Tanzania, Guinea, Ghana and Mali and a Joint Venture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2013, he was appointed Chief Financial Officer with direct responsibility for all financial matters including the formulation and execution of financial business strategy, debt and equity financing. In 2015, Mr Duffy became a co-founder and director of Africa Energy Management Platform, a private energy company targeting industrial and mining clients in sub-Saharan Africa.
Mr Duffy holds a B. Com degree from the University of Witwatersrand and an MBA from Henley Management College in the UK.
Richard Duffy
Chief Executive Officer
Petra Diamonds Limited
Richard Duffy has 27 years of global mining industry experience, initially with Anglo American plc and then AngloGold Ashanti Limited, from its inception in 1998. In 2008, he was appointed Executive Vice President, Africa Region and continued in this role until January 2010 when he took charge of the Continental Africa Region, with operations in Namibia, Tanzania, Guinea, Ghana and Mali and a Joint Venture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2013, he was appointed Chief Financial Officer with direct responsibility for all financial matters including the formulation and execution of financial business strategy, debt and equity financing. In 2015, Mr Duffy became a co-founder and director of Africa Energy Management Platform, a private energy company targeting industrial and mining clients in sub-Saharan Africa.
Mr Duffy holds a B. Com degree from the University of Witwatersrand and an MBA from Henley Management College in the UK.
Mmetla Masire
Managing Director, Okavango Diamond Company
Mmetla Masire was appointed ODC Managing Director in July 2021. Mr. Masire has over 30 years of experience in the diamond industry. He joins ODC, from the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology & Energy Security where he served as Permanent Secretary. Some of the senior positions he has held include being the CEO of Water Utilities Corporation, Debswana Group Engineering Manager, Orapa Power Station Project Manager, and Mine General Manager. Mr. Masire holds a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Electrical & Electronics from the University of Wales. Mr. Masire has served on several boards including De Beers, Debswana, Diamond Trading Company Botswana, Minerals Development Company Botswana, etc. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation and the President of Botswana Cycling Association.
Mmetla Masire
Managing Director, Okavango Diamond Company
Mmetla Masire was appointed ODC Managing Director in July 2021. Mr. Masire has over 30 years of experience in the diamond industry. He joins ODC, from the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology & Energy Security where he served as Permanent Secretary. Some of the senior positions he has held include being the CEO of Water Utilities Corporation, Debswana Group Engineering Manager, Orapa Power Station Project Manager, and Mine General Manager. Mr. Masire holds a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Electrical & Electronics from the University of Wales. Mr. Masire has served on several boards including De Beers, Debswana, Diamond Trading Company Botswana, Minerals Development Company Botswana, etc. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation and the President of Botswana Cycling Association.
Natural Diamond Council Executive Team
David Kellie
David Kellie has over 30 years’ experience in marketing esteemed consumer brands around the world. David joined the NDC from the Watches of Switzerland Group where he oversaw the marketing launch of the UK’s largest luxury timepiece retailer in to the US. Prior to that, he spent 15 years with Ralph Lauren initially in Geneva and later in New York where he led the global marketing and advertising teams across the full portfolio of brands and business. David joined the NDC in December 2019 and is based in New York.
David Kellie
David Kellie has over 30 years’ experience in marketing esteemed consumer brands around the world. David joined the NDC from the Watches of Switzerland Group where he oversaw the marketing launch of the UK’s largest luxury timepiece retailer in to the US. Prior to that, he spent 15 years with Ralph Lauren initially in Geneva and later in New York where he led the global marketing and advertising teams across the full portfolio of brands and business. David joined the NDC in December 2019 and is based in New York.
Katja Thoelen
Katja Thoelen is Chief Financial Officer of Natural Diamonds Council and responsible for managing finance, accounting, legal, tax and human resources. She has over 20 years of all-round experience, gained in medium-sized international companies active in several industries of which Xella, DME Europe, ITAB Shop Concept and British Petroleum Belgium.
Katja has a hands-on mentality combined with a strong objective and analytical approach to develop workable systems and solve problems. Reliability and integrity are important core values to her.
Katja Thoelen
Katja Thoelen is Chief Financial Officer of Natural Diamonds Council and responsible for managing finance, accounting, legal, tax and human resources. She has over 20 years of all-round experience, gained in medium-sized international companies active in several industries of which Xella, DME Europe, ITAB Shop Concept and British Petroleum Belgium.
Katja has a hands-on mentality combined with a strong objective and analytical approach to develop workable systems and solve problems. Reliability and integrity are important core values to her.
Kristina Buckley Kayel
Kristina Buckley Kayel is the Managing Director of the Natural Diamond Council’s North America. She is responsible for steering and implementing NDC’s marketing, communications and digital strategy, its research and insights activity, as well as supporting and partnering with retailers and trade organizations. Prior to NDC, Kristina led marketing and communications and, as a member of the Executive Committee, drove the corporate and brand strategy for the French high jewelry Maison, Van Cleef & Arpels (owned by Compagnie Financière Richemont SA).
Kristina Buckley Kayel
Kristina Buckley Kayel is the Managing Director of the Natural Diamond Council’s North America. She is responsible for steering and implementing NDC’s marketing, communications and digital strategy, its research and insights activity, as well as supporting and partnering with retailers and trade organizations. Prior to NDC, Kristina led marketing and communications and, as a member of the Executive Committee, drove the corporate and brand strategy for the French high jewelry Maison, Van Cleef & Arpels (owned by Compagnie Financière Richemont SA).
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, 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
Based in London, Raluca Anghel is responsible for the NDC’s global external engagement and public affairs, and also leads on communication and marketing in Europe.
Previously, Raluca worked in Brussels for 11 years where she coordinated Microsoft’s European storytelling agenda and then moved to the European Parliament to lead PR campaigns and develop policy in areas such as social affairs, SME growth, and technology. Her most recent role before NDC was Spokesperson for the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council. Raluca is a dynamic communicator with a strong collaborative style and a passion for sustainability!
Raluca Anghel
Based in London, Raluca Anghel is responsible for the NDC’s global external engagement and public affairs, and also leads on communication and marketing in Europe.
Previously, Raluca worked in Brussels for 11 years where she coordinated Microsoft’s European storytelling agenda and then moved to the European Parliament to lead PR campaigns and develop policy in areas such as social affairs, SME growth, and technology. Her most recent role before NDC was Spokesperson for the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council. Raluca is a dynamic communicator with a strong collaborative style and a passion for sustainability!
Richa Singh
Richa Singh is the Managing Director for the India operations. She is working with her team to infuse greater meaning into Natural Diamonds to create a stronger connect. A true marketing professional with 23 years of proven track record, her experience has helped her to hone her skills in insights mining, deeper consumer understanding, creating campaigns & digital marketing.In her last stint at L’Oreal she helped to scale up businesses and build brands across segments spanning beauty and luxury products. Her dream is to have every Indian woman own a natural diamond and cherish her unique, rare and precious natural diamond story, which she can pass down the generations.
Richa Singh
Richa Singh is the Managing Director for the India operations. She is working with her team to infuse greater meaning into Natural Diamonds to create a stronger connect. A true marketing professional with 23 years of proven track record, her experience has helped her to hone her skills in insights mining, deeper consumer understanding, creating campaigns & digital marketing.In her last stint at L’Oreal she helped to scale up businesses and build brands across segments spanning beauty and luxury products. Her dream is to have every Indian woman own a natural diamond and cherish her unique, rare and precious natural diamond story, which she can pass down the generations.