Conflict Awareness Project to Speak at the 2025 Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference

The Conflict Awareness Project (CAP) is honored to announce that our Executive Director, Kathi Lynn Austin, will be speaking at the Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference (CRJC), taking place October 17–18, 2025, with the Responsible Gem Boutique opening on October 16.

Founded in 2017 by jewelry designer Susan Wheeler, the CRJC is an independent, impact-driven event organized by the nonprofit Responsible Jewelry Transformative (RJT) — a U.S. 501(c)(3) organization with projects spanning Zimbabwe, Kenya, Malawi, Brazil, Lesotho, and Zambia. The conference brings together voices from across the jewelry supply chain to advance equity, transparency, and sustainability, aligning the industry with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This year, Kathi Lynn Austin will lead a session titled “Protecting Endangered Species in Environments Where They Source,” inspired by the legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall. The discussion will explore how ethical and transparent sourcing practices can safeguard endangered species and promote a more sustainable and responsible jewelry industry.

At its core, the CRJC provides a vital platform for dialogue on climate change, human rights, and supply chain ethics — values that reflect CAP’s global mission to combat traffickers, profiteers, and criminal networks that fuel violence, exploit communities, and damage ecosystems.

We look forward to joining leaders, advocates, and innovators dedicated to building a more ethical future for the jewelry sector — one that respects both people and the planet.