New philanthropic initiative supports communities to add value to the journey of diamonds
October 30, 2019, Dubai – Mouawad has launched the Mouawad Diamond Impact Fund, a new, permanent non-profit, philanthropic initiative. It is founded by the 4th and 5th generation of the Mouawad family, and spearheaded by Jimmy Mouawad who is the 5th generation, son of 4th generation Mouawad Co-guardian Fred Mouawad. The Mouawad Diamond Impact Fund focuses its activities on the communities, regions and countries from which Mouawad sources its diamonds. Through supporting under privileged community members in these territories, it adds value to the journey of diamonds from rough to jewelry. The MDIF’s vision is: To create a world where individuals have better opportunities to thrive and prosper regardless of their race, gender, or socio-economic status.
Jimmy Mouawad, who is the Co-Guardian of MDIF is a 2019 graduate of Hult International Business School and is currently pursuing his gemological degree at the Gemological Institute of America in New York. Commenting on the MDIF, Jimmy Mouawad said, “As a family business we’re committed to adding value to our industry by providing opportunities for people to learn new skills they can deploy back to thrive in their communities. The Mouawad Diamond Impact Fund will be supporting communities through training and skill-sharing, creating futures for upcoming generations.”
Recently, five South African nationals were selected in collaboration with the South African State Diamond Trader to receive full training in Mouawad’s Bangkok diamond manufacturing facility, with the goal to later assist the trainees in finding a job in the diamond industry.
About JIMMY MOUAWAD, Founder and Co-Guardian of Mouawad Diamond Impact Fund
Jimmy Mouawad is a 5th generation Mouawad, and the son of 4th generation Mouawad Co-Guardian Fred Mouawad. Jimmy is the Co-Guardian spearheading the Mouawad Diamond Impact Fund, a division of Mouawad whose goal is to create value by improving the lives of underprivileged communities in diamond producing countries to honor the journey of billions of years it takes to form and discover a diamond.
Jimmy attended an international school in Bangkok and in 2012 went to high school at College du Leman in Switzerland. He graduated from Hult International Business School (2019) where he majored in entrepreneurship. He spent the first three years at Hult’s campus in London and completed his Senior year at the San Francisco campus. He is currently pursuing his gemological degree at the Gemological Institute of America in New York.
Jimmy is fluent in English, French, and Thai languages, and his multi-cultural background enables him to respect, adapt, and champion diversity and inclusion in the projects he leads. He is part of YNG (Young Next Generation) which is a group under YPO – the premier leadership organization of Chief Executives in the world with the mission of “better leaders through lifelong learning and idea exchange.” Design has always been one of his passions, and he has designed several jewelry pieces for Mouawad. Jimmy is also an environmentalist and was active in multiple projects throughout his studies.