JULIE SCHWARTZ

Founder & CEO

Family matriarch. Design maven. E-commerce entrepreneur.

Julie is recognized all over the world for her innovative and captivating designs. With clients spanning the globe, she is often commissioned to create one-of-a-kind pieces for their collections.

Julie has earned an industry wide reputation for her designs and eye for trends – essential elements for delivering top quality jewelry to customers every time.

Julie was born in the Carpathian Alps in Hungary during WWII and was hidden as an infant as the Holocaust swept Europe. Taken to Canada, she grew up, married, had six children and launched a jewelry business that became the Internet’s leading online jewelry company..

“When I was a little girl, my mother got these gorgeous diamond earrings for her anniversary. I thought they were the most magnificent things I’d ever seen. Then, I thought it was something I’d like to do.”
– Julie Schwartz, CEO

Armed with passion and perseverance, Julie entered the jewelry business in 1971. When a local businessman shunned her as she tried to learn the ropes, Julie took matters into her own hands. Pearls first sparked her interest. Eager to learn everything about the market, Julie traveled to Japan, accompanied only by a guide from the Japan Pearl Association. She completely immersed herself in learning about pearls, visiting wholesalers and forging relationships to grow her business.

Julie’s jewelry design skills were tapped by Mattel to create a line of jewelry for the toy maker’s legendary Barbie collection. The line received the prestigious “Mattel Excellence in Product and Design” award. In addition to this recognition, Julie has been named Vendor of the Year by Zales in Canada.

Julie resides in Montreal, Canada with her husband Isaac. In addition to her six children, she has 46 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren (and counting!)

BRENDA GANSBOURG

Executive Vice-President, Merchandising

Jewelry designer fueled by a life-long passion for the industry.

The jewelry business came naturally to Brenda Gansbourg. After all, it’s where she grew up. Brenda is the daughter of Delmar CEO Julie Schwartz. From a young age, her world was filled with the fascination and beauty of jewelry. She would go into the basement of their family home, admiring the latest designs and dreaming of the day she’d own something like them.

It’s an industry she didn’t think she’d find herself in, but today, it’s her passion.

Brenda learned the trade at home and studied further at The GIA.

“My favorite part of our business? I love seeing finished pieces. There’s a process that goes into perfecting a piece and when you finally see the complete piece – it’s a thrill you can’t explain.”

She is inspired by trends, but not ruled by them. Brenda believes jewelry should be a reflection of the women who wear it – symbolizing their elegance, heart and talents.

Brenda brings edgy, yet playful accents to the Julianna B line, combined with her mother’s classic elegant style. It’s a blend for timeless pieces, like her personal favorite, the diamond cuff. It’s evocative of lace, encrusted in diamonds.

She believes their designs are geared toward women who want to look and feel good.

“When you put on something you love, you feel good. It makes you happy.”

When she’s not dreaming up new collections, the mother and grandmother is spending time with her family – another passion of hers.

LEAH GANSBOURG

Junior Designer

A third-generation Delmar designer adding a contemporary touch.

Jewelry was always a part of Leah Gansbourg’s world. With parents working in the industry, she grew up constantly surrounded by sparkling gems, pearls and diamonds. It’s no surprise that her parents’ passion soon became her own. Upon marrying Brenda’s son Yossi, Leah became part of the third generation of the Delmar family.

Leah wasted no time in getting her feet wet in the industry. Soon after her wedding, she travelled with her husband to Asia. In an eye-opening whirlwind adventure, she visited established diamond suppliers in India and trendy jewelry offices in Hong Kong.

“It was fascinating to discover the industry in the heart of all the action. It allowed me conceptualize my work as being part of something big and global.”

Her exploration of the world of jewelry from the ground up continues here at Delmar. As a junior designer, Leah is learning what it takes to create a winning and timeless design. Bringing a young and trendy perspective to the table, she works closely with the rest of the design team to develop beautiful new pieces. Mirroring Delmar’s strong family orientation, Leah balances her work with raising her three young children.

PINNY GNIWISCH

Executive Vice-President, Business Development

A globally-recognized thought leader in social media & online marketing.

A thought leader in social media, online marketing and merchandising, Pinny has been recognized globally for his work.

Under his leadership as founder and executive vice-president, Ice.com revolutionized the way consumers bought jewelry, modernizing the industry in an increasingly web-focused landscape.

In 2012, Pinny began consulting. He has worked with world-renowned Cirque du Soleil on their e-commerce strategy. Currently, he’s working with Delmar International to implement their B2B marketing and merchandising strategy.

Pinny is an Adjunct Professor at McGill University in its first e-commerce and social media course, a former board member of shop.org (the National Retail Federation’s e-commerce organization), and founder and president of a non-profit organization.

STEVEN GROTELL

Director of Design

Steven’s penchant for opulent design and unwavering attention to detail has made him a legend in the jewelry industry.

Hailing from New York City, Steven Grotell has been recruited by luxury brands, retailers, and private clients worldwide for over two decades. He has worked for Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, Giorgio Armani, Le Vian and Barneys New York, among many others.

Steven will bring his vision to the company’s licensing department to interpret and develop concepts for brand collections, as well as customize trends and inspiration for each of Delmar’s customers.

ROSANNA CAUCCI

General Director of Operations/HR