What if the future of luxury isn’t about exclusivity—but radical inclusivity?

In this powerful episode of Responsible Luxury, host Lauren Petrovic sits down with Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director of the Watches & Jewellery Initiative 2030, for a bold and timely conversation on redefining what leadership looks like in today’s global luxury landscape.

Together, Lauren and Iris explore:

• Why trust is now the defining currency for business.
• The evolution of leadership from hierarchy to inclusivity.
• How women’s empowerment and climate action are deeply interconnected.
• The role of luxury brands in setting standards for transparency, traceability, and sustainability.
• The importance of collaboration, mentorship, and building ecosystems where creativity and accountability thrive.
• Collaboration across industries is necessary for progress.

Whether you’re a CEO, creative entrepreneur, or emerging leader, this conversation offers both practical insights on what it means to create a lasting legacy.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Watches & Jewelry Initiative 2030
• UN Women – Women’s Empowerment Principles
• UN Global Compact

Follow Iris Van der Veken on LinkedIn for updates on her work.

Connect with Responsible Luxury

• Follow Lauren Petrovic on LinkedIn
• Follow Responsible Luxury on Instagram
• Explore Laurenti New York
• Stay tuned for upcoming events during Climate Week NYC 2025

Chapters

[00:00] Introduction and Background

[03:11] Leadership Evolution and Principles

[12:03] Social Impact and Early Influences

[16:30] Transition to the Diamond Industry

[21:23] Driving Change in the Industry

[27:32] Children's Rights and Global Compact

[31:34] Collaboration with UN Women

[38:46] Watches and Jewelry Initiative 2030

[40:42] The Importance of Nature in Business Resilience

[43:38] Governance and Multi-Stakeholder Engagement

[46:39] Collaboration Over Competition

[51:54] Cultural Perspectives on Sustainability

[56:54] The Interconnection of Climate and Gender

[01:00:53] The Future of Responsible Luxury

[01:05:56] Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders

[01:08:21] Legacy and Impact in the Industry

What if your Rolex could be as liquid as your stock portfolio? In this episode of Responsible Luxury, host Lauren Petrovic sits down with Jake Plonskier, founder of Watches.io, to uncover how the luxury watch market is being transformed into a dynamic asset class.

Together they discuss:

• Why trust and transparency are the missing links in luxury markets
• How blockchain and data are unlocking the $30B+ watch industry
• Rise of liquidity in the watch market
• The parallels between watches, diamonds, and fine art as alternative investments
• What it takes to build a responsible, scalable business in an industry built on legacy

From blockchain-backed authenticity to the untapped potential of resale markets, this conversation offers a masterclass in rethinking legacy, ownership, and value in the luxury world. If you're curious about the future of luxury, alternative assets, or just love a good founder story - this one's for you.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – 02:15: Welcome and episode introduction
• 02:15 – 08:45: Jake’s journey: From traditional finance to luxury watches
• 08:45 – 14:00: The vision behind Watches.io: Liquidity, transparency, and access
• 14:00 – 20:30: How Watches.io is building trust in a skeptical market
• 20:30 – 26:00: The intersection of blockchain, data, and luxury authentication
• 26:00 – 31:00: The parallels between watches, diamonds, and art as alternative assets
• 31:00 – 36:30: Building an ecosystem of responsible luxury: Lessons from the journey
• 36:30 – 41:00: Rapid-fire round: Jake’s favorite timepiece, top leadership advice, and legacy reflections
• 41:00 – 43:00: Closing thoughts and how to connect with Watches.io

In this special episode, host Lauren Petrovic takes you behind the scenes at the 19th Annual Sustainable Business and Design Conference at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she moderated a dynamic panel on “Powering the Next Generation of Responsible Luxury.”

Joined by industry leaders Tiffany Stevens, Malyia McNaughton, and Wendy Waugh, this conversation dives into how luxury brands are redefining sustainability — not as a trend, but as a core business imperative.

Together, they explore:

• Transparency in the supply chain — from diamonds to fabric mills
• The rise of upcycling, heirloom redesign, and secondhand markets
• Consumer expectations and the future of ethical sourcing
• Private equity’s growing role in ESG accountability
• How the next generation of creatives is shaping luxury’s evolution

This episode is a call to action for leaders, students, and consumers alike to reimagine what responsible luxury can look like in 2030 and beyond.

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Featured Panelists:

Tiffany Stevens - Chief Business Officer and Global Head of Sustainability, International Gemological Institute

Malyia McNaughton - Founder and Designer, Made by Malyia

Wendy Waugh - Founder, Golden Collective

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Follow Us:

@laurendpetrovic

@tiffanycstevens

@madebymalyia

@responsibleluxurypod

On LinkedIn:

Tiffany Stevens

Wendy Waugh

Lauren Petrovic

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For comments, questions, or speaker ideas:

Follow @responsibleluxurypod on Instagram and LinkedIn Subscribe to The Responsible Luxury Podcast wherever you listen. Share this episode and join the conversation on what responsible luxury means to you.

Ep. 24: In this episode of Responsible Luxury, Lauren Petrovic sits down with Kat Weymouth, Director of Jewelry and Metals at SCS Global Services, to discuss the evolving landscape of sustainability and transparency in the fine jewelry industry. Kat shares her journey from growing up in a multi-generational jewelry family to leading auditing and certification programs that ensure ethical sourcing and responsible practices. We explore the rise of consumer demand for sustainability, the importance of third-party verification, and how new technologies like blockchain are transforming traceability in the supply chain. Whether you're a jewelry professional, a luxury lover, or a conscious consumer, this episode provides valuable insights on identifying truly responsible luxury brands and the future of ethical sourcing.

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Guest Speaker: Kat Weymouth, Director of Jewelry and Metals at SCS Global Services

Website: SCS Global Services

Kat Weymouth: kweymouth@scsglobalservices.com

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For comments, questions, or speaker ideas:

Email: lauren@laurentinewyork.com

LinkedIn: Lauren Petrovic

Instagram, X: @laurendpetrovic, @responsibleluxurypod

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

02:00 – Kat’s Journey into the Jewelry Industry

06:30 – Transition to Sustainability & Compliance

10:00 – Understanding SCS Global Services & Its Role in Jewelry

14:30 – Consumer Preferences & The Rise of Sustainable Jewelry

19:00 – How Consumers Can Identify Ethical Jewelry Brands

24:00 – The Future of Transparency & Traceability in Jewelry

28:30 – SCS & iTraceit Partnership for Blockchain-Based Transparency

31:00 – Kat’s Personal Passion for Sustainability

33:00 – Defining Responsible Luxury

36:00 – Final Thoughts & Advice for the Next Generation

38:00 – Where to Find Kat & SCS Global Services

Ep. 25: In this episode of Responsible Luxury, Lauren sits down with Kendel, a powerhouse real estate broker with the top-performing Singer Team at Brown Harris Stevens. But Kendel’s journey to the world of high-stakes real estate is anything but ordinary.

From her early days as a competitive gymnast to launching a career in high fashion, designing for renowned brands like Halston and J. Mendel, Kendel has always thrived in fast-paced, competitive environments. She later founded her own luxury fashion brand, F.WORDS, before making a bold pivot into luxury real estate, where she now helps high-net-worth clients find their dream properties in New York City and South Florida.

Lauren and Kendel discuss the parallels between fashion and real estate, the importance of building trust and authentic relationships, and Kendel’s mission to empower more women to become homeowners. Plus, Kendel shares insights on the future of luxury real estate, including the rise of wellness-certified properties, and opens up about her personal life, marathon training, and finding balance in a high-pressure career.

This conversation is filled with inspiration, strategy, and an inside look at the world of luxury—you won’t want to miss it!

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Guest Speaker: Kendel Neidermyer

Websites: Brown Harris Stevens, F.WORDS, Singer Team Real Estate

Instagram: @kendel_runs_realesate

LinkedIn: Kendel Neidermyer

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For comments, questions, or speaker ideas:

Email: lauren@laurentinewyork.com

LinkedIn: Lauren Petrovic

Instagram, X: @laurendpetrovic, @responsibleluxurypod

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Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

02:00 – Kendel’s Journey to New York

06:00 – Breaking into the Fashion Industry

10:00 – Launching Her Own Brand, F-WORD

15:30 – Transition from Fashion to Real Estate

20:00 – Navigating Luxury Real Estate in NYC & South Florida

25:00 – Empowering Women Homebuyers –

30:00 – Building Client Trust in Real Estate –

35:00 – Personal Life & Lifestyle Balance

40:00 – Coping with Loss & Finding Meaning

45:00 – Favorite NYC Spots & Safe Havens

50:00 – The Future of Luxury Real Estate

54:00 – Final Thoughts & Where to Connect