Our Team

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 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 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, 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.

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!