“Women of the Diamond Industry” focuses on the issue of gender equality along the entire diamond and jewelry supply chain. The series provides a platform for women in the industry to tell their own stories and to describe the particular challenges they have faced in their careers.
The 24th article in the series is authored by Karen Rentmeesters, who began her professional life in television production, joined the diamond industry as a communications specialist and rose to become CEO of the Antwerp World Diamond Center (AWDC), Belgium’s primary diamond industry association and service provider.
GROWING THROUGH PRESSURE:
WHAT DIAMONDS TAUGHT ME
Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of the Antwerp World Diamond Center (AWDC).
DECEMBER 12, 2025
Let me start with a confession. Although it will hardly be a surprise to those who know me well, I am not a girly girl. Never was.
I was born in the late seventies, in a warm nest, as part of a two-for-the-price-of-one special. My parents had decided to have a fourth child to complete the family. Roughly six months into the pregnancy, after my father commented to my mother that “she was gaining a lot of weight this time,” an ultrasound revealed not one, but two buns in the oven. As a sidenote, this also was the day my dad learned about the limitations of free speech when it comes to talking to your spouse about her weight.
Growing up with my twin brother, a miniature MacGyver, at my side our days were filled with adventure – building forts in the overgrown plot next door, climbing trees, firing off smoke bombs at the neighbors, and riding our bikes with playing cards taped to the spokes.
Pretty dresses, if my mother succeeded in squeezing me into one – a rare occurrence – a ended up smudged with mud and grass stains half an hour later, and my arms and legs full of scratches. She considered this “very unbecoming for a young lady” and I considered it “very cool.”
A symbol of strength and independence
The first piece of jewelry I ever received was set with a diamond. It was a small gold pendant, a gift from my grandmother. She had bought a bag of loose, polished diamonds sometime after the World War II, when she worked close to the Antwerp diamond quarter.
Decades later, every time a grandchild was born, she had a pendant made, adorned with a twenty-pointer. She repeated this ritual for 22 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren, until she passed away in 2014. The ones born afterwards received bupkis.
While my mother sensibly limited the amount of time I was allowed to wear the piece, for fear I would losing it – good call, Mom) – I always attached great value to it. It was not for its sparkle, but for what it symbolized – my grandmother’s strength, independence, curiosity, and generosity. She encouraged me to study, to explore, to challenge myself, to never give up, and above all, to be kind.
Little did I know that decades later, diamonds would become such an important part of my life.
The thrill of a mass communicator
After completing my university studies, I got my first job as a researcher for a TV-production company at the peak of television’s human-interest era.
It was fast-paced and demanding, but I loved the thrill of impossible deadlines and the craft of capturing human stories and emotions with images, sounds and words.
Not a girly girl. The author as a child, clearly annoyed at being made to wear a dress.
Digital technology was still in its infancy – the stacks of tapes still haunt me – but working with an analog mindset taught me how to untangle complex topics and translate them into bite-size communication items. This is a skill that continues to serve me well.
Fast forward eight years. I was expecting my first child, and decided it was time to find a job more compatible with motherhood. A friend who worked in the diamond industry suggested I apply at the Antwerp World Diamond Center (AWDC), saying, “they could use someone like you.”
Truth be told, I knew next to nothing about this hidden gem (pun intended) barely 20 kilometers from my hometown. With no specific job opening in sight, I took my chances, did my homework, and landed a job as “Communications Officer” in March 2010
The author at home nearby Antwerp during her formative years, along with her twin brother and grandmother, who over the years had 55 diamond-set jewelry pieces created for her grandchildren and great grandchildren, from a parcel of loose polished diamonds she had bought shortly after the end of World War II.
Building a new digital world
My mom often says I was “very inquisitive” as a child, which is her polite way of saying I was a slightly annoying “why” kid. She’s right, though. I am curious by nature. And when I started at AWDC, I realized very quickly that I had a lot to learn.
I remember finding on my desk one day a stack of Diamond Intelligence Briefs, the famous publication by Chaim Even-Zohar, who is a man simultaneously admired and feared by the industry. I am firmly on the admiring side.
It took me half a day to get through just one issue, and even then, I didn’t understand half of what was written. It took me quite a few years to get a proper grasp of this complex ecosystem, but I was fortunate to be mentored by people like Chaim (I still have a copy of his formidable From Mine to Mistress opus in my office, which doubles as a blunt-force object should I ever need it) and so many other knowledgable individuals.
Looking back, those first two years were an inflection point for the industry. The world was recovering from the 2008 financial crisis. Regulation and transparency were accelerating, smartphones and social media were booming, and e-commerce and digital marketplaces were beginning to disrupt the brick-and-mortar approach. At the same time, Anglo American acquired its 85 percent stake in De Beers, India was solidifying its role as the manufacturing capital, and closer to home a generational shift was taking place — in the industry and within AWDC.
It was fertile ground for younger people like me to dive into the new digital world. At AWDC we built online platforms, introduced newsletters, online registrations, a news app (The Diamond Loupe), and so much more.
Finding support in times of trouble
I was still very junior at AWDC when my world turned upside down. A benign but sizable and fast-growing tumor in my brain was discovered, and it had to be removed urgently.
What followed was an incredible wave of warmth and support from across the industry. Within days, half a dozen people offered to connect me with world-renowned surgeons. I received cards, messages, flowers, and all the logistical support I needed.
AWDC – and my extended “diamond family” – had my back. Though I’ve had to accept some long-term effects, I learned above all that the people around you are what matter most, whatever challenge you’re facing.
The author (right), during the Facets 2024 conference in Antwerp, together with President Duma G Boko (center), President of Botswana, and Isidore Mörsel, President of AWDC. In the background is Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, Minister of Minerals and Energy of Botswana.
The accidental CEO
As my knowledge grew, I moved upwards in Communications and Industry Relations – from officer to manager, senior manager, and eventually chief officer.
I was also released into the diamond world, quite literally. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have traveled to far corners of the world, discovering places and meeting people who bring a diamond’s journey, from mine to finger, to life.
These experiences fueled my passion for this industry. I am especially drawn to rough diamonds and remain fascinated by how these ancient rocks – older than life itself – can be transformed into something so mesmerizing. So much so that when I and my partner finally decided to tie the knot – 20+ years and two children into the relationship – I chose a ring with a row of rough diamonds instead of a classic solitaire. (Note to the AWDC Board: This does not mean I will not wear polished diamond jewelry when asked – and it is lent to me.)
When in April 2024 I was asked to take on the role of CEO ad interim, it felt daunting at first. I called myself “the accidental CEO” for quite a while, but the overwhelming support I received encouraged me to take my chances and apply for the permanent role.
What may surprise some is that at no point did I really dwell on the fact that I would be the first female CEO of the organization. I wondered whether I was CEO material to begin with (the truth is: no one is born a CEO), whether I knew enough about the business (the biggest mistake would be thinking I know it all), whether I could combine this job with motherhood (yes, you can!), and whether I would have to give up getting my hands dirty for high-level decision-making (you can do both!).
Only after my appointment, when so many women reached out and celebrated this as a milestone, did I realize it was a big deal. All credit to the Board of Directors of AWDC for putting their faith in me – regardless of my gender.
The author (right), at Belgium House during the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davis, Switzerland, alongside (from left) Al Cook, CEO De Beers; Ravi Bhansali, Vice President of AWDC and Managing Director of Rosy Blue NV; Peter Vanham, Editorial Director, Leadership, at Fortune Magazine; and Kristian Vanderwaeren, Administrator-General of the Customs & Excise Authorities in the Belgian Ministry of Finance.
What true leadership boils down to
Advancing gender equality in our industry is something I am proud to support, for example through our partnership with the Watch & Jewellery Initiative in joining the Women’s Empowerment Principles, which is the UN-backed framework for businesses to advance gender equality in the workplace, marketplace and community.
But being a role model, to me, goes further. I have learned – through good and bad examples – that empowering your team to grow, recognizing their talents, and helping them achieve their goals are critical to any organization’s success. That, I believe, is what true leadership boils down to.
The past two years have been, to put it mildly, challenging for the industry, but I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a team. I am not known to brag, but from repairing relationships with our stakeholders, breaking through the wall of tariffs, to strengthening Antwerp’s competitive position, our hard work has been paying off.
I never set out to become a CEO, or to be “the first woman” anything. What I did set out to do was learn, contribute, and lead with purpose. And that is what I intend to continue doing. Our industry is evolving at unprecedented speed, and there is still much work ahead. But I believe deeply in the resilience of this community and the brilliance of the people within it.
If my story shows anything, I hope it is that you don’t need to fit a mold to make a difference. You only need to show up, stay curious, work hard, and lift others as you climb. The rest, like a diamond, reveals itself with time.