Public-Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade

Ian is the Executive Director of the Diamond Development Initiative (DDI). He acts as a spokesperson and representative for the organization, and holds responsibility for development and implementation of strategies promoting DDI’s vision, mandate and “voice” as it seeks redress of social, economic, human rights and policy challenges facing emerging economies in Africa and South America.  Ian brings with him 20 years of experience specific to development; crisis recovery and stabilisation milieus, and rule of law and peace & security expertise inclusive of inter alia: Good Governance; Disarmament Demobilisation and Reintegration; Security Sector Reform; and Conflict Management & Prevention. Prior to DDI, Ian worked with broad range of United Nations (UN) agencies, programmes and organs inclusive of UNESCO, UNDP, UNICEF, UNDPKO and the UN Secretariat, on assignments throughout conflict torn areas of Southern, Central, East and the Great Lakes Region of Africa. Ian also served as an expert panel member on the United Nations Panel of Experts on the Sudan and with several UN peacekeeping missions inclusive of Burundi, the Sudan, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

Patricia Syvrud is the Program Manager for the Minerals, Materials and Society program, an education, research and training initiative at the University of Delaware (UD). She is the immediate past Executive Director of the World Diamond Council, an international organization charged with representing the diamond pipeline at the UN-mandated Kimberley Process forum, (the organization charged with global tracking of rough diamonds from mine to manufacture), and a current member of the Board of Directors of the United States Kimberley Process Authority.  Patricia holds an MBA from the University of Southern California and is a Graduate Gemologist (Gemological Institute of America). She is passionate about responsible sourcing and supply chain transparency and is currently overseeing the creation of the Jewelry Development Impact index (JDI), which is now a technical evaluative research project of the Minerals, Materials and Society program at UD.

Patricia’s career highlights include cataloging the entire National Gem Collection at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, developing a world-class museum collection for the Gemological Institute of America, and working as a pro bono consultant to former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright for assistance with Albright's pin exhibition and book, “Read My Pins, Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box”.

A frequent public and industry speaker, Patricia has been featured at the following events: OECD 2019 Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains, Paris, France; Metropolitan Museum of Art MetFridays, New York; World Bank Global Conference on Oil, Gas and Mining; AGTA GemFair; American Gem Society Guild Meetings; Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference; GIA Alumni Association; Inhorgenta Show, Munich; International Diamond Week, Israel; JA NY Show; Jewelry Industry Summit; MJSA Expo, among others.  

Rachel Wanyoike, Managing Director of Solidaridad Eastern and Central Africa, is a development professional with a strong background in designing and implementing impact-driven development projects across sub-Saharan Africa. Her wealth of experience and skills are in the areas of management, policy planning and strategy development in climate resilience, mitigation/adaptation innovations, renewable energy and natural resource management.  

She has held key roles in developing practical and sustainable solutions for government, private sector, UN organizations and other development partners both in East Africa and the United Kingdom. Previously, she worked with EcoSecurities Limited (UK), Camco Advisory Services (K) Limited (Kenya), and KPMG (Kenya and UK). Rachel holds both a LLB Law with Honours and a MSc in Public Policy and Human Development. She has the full range of competencies in organisational and administrative development, project and financial management, stakeholder engagement and relationship building. She also has a long standing interest in encouraging positive change for local communities, promoting sustainable livelihoods and advocating for multi-stakeholder engagements.  

Rachel is committed to developing strong national and regional programmes that will foster systemic change and grow Solidaridad Eastern and Central Africa as a thought leader in sub-Saharan Africa.