WATERVILLE — Nikia Levesque, vice president of marketing at Day’s Jewelers, was chosen to join the board of trustees for the Women’s Jewelry Association Foundation. Levesque was selected in January, with the WJA Foundation’s first board meeting of the year Feb. 9.

Nikia Levesque Submitted photo

Founded in 1983 to rectify a severe lack of networking opportunities for women in the jewelry industry, the association exists with the mission of “(helping) women in the jewelry and watch industries advance and develop professionally through networking, education, leadership development, and the provision of member services,” according to a news release from Kyra Zabel with Day’s Jewelers.

Since its founding, the association has awarded recognition to countless women in the industry, and have provided support, education and leadership for women dedicated to the success of the jewelry industry. The WJA Foundation, a supportive branch of the association, and where Levesque will be serving as a board member, focuses on charitable giving to different organizations as a tool of education and growth for the association as a whole.

Levesque was recently hired as the vice president of marketing for Day’s Jewelers’ New-England-based eight-store chain. Besides overseeing the 109-year-old company’s branding, marketing and advertising efforts, Levesque also provides leadership, guidance and career development to the Day’s marketing team, which includes its e-commerce division, www.daysjewelers.com.

Levesque has been with Day’s, and subsequently been working in the jewelry industry since the age of 16. She started in the Day’s service department, transitioned into sales, and during her college career, worked as an intern in the company’s merchandising department. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in international business and logistics from Maine Maritime Academy, Levesque began her tenure in Day’s marketing department, first as the marketing coordinator and then the marketing manager. Levesque has a true passion for the jewelry industry and is dedicated to inspiring other young women to pursue a career in jewelry.

Of being elected, Levesque says, “I am honored to sit on the board of trustees for the WJA Foundation. As a young woman in the jewelry industry who started my journey in this business at the age of 16, I was inspired by strong and accomplished women, not only in the Day’s organization, but the jewelry industry as a whole. This is what led and motivated me to be in the position I am in now. I want to help communicate, empower and instill passion in other women exploring and growing their careers in the jewelry industry.”

When Levesque isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her family, her fiancé Seamus and their dog, Willa. In the winter, you can find her on the slopes, at the beach in the summer, and engaging in retail therapy all year round.

“Day’s Jewelers is proud to be associated with an organization as important and industry leading as the WJA Foundation and is honored to see Levesque involved in this leadership work within the industry,” states Joseph Corey, president of Day’s.