New appointments and promotions strengthen Edge Retail Academy’s support for retail jewelers.
Edge Retail Academy has expanded its leadership and coaching team with a combination of new appointments and internal promotions. The updates reflect continued growth in demand for its business coaching programs and a deeper investment in the expertise behind those programs.
As more retail jewelers look for structured guidance to improve performance, the firm continues to build a team with real operational experience and a strong foundation in coaching. The focus is not just growth, but strengthening the quality and consistency of support delivered to clients.
Why the Team Is Growing
Retail jewelry businesses are facing more complexity than ever. Inventory decisions carry more risk. Hiring and retention are more challenging. Margins require tighter management.
Expanding the team allows Edge Retail Academy to support more retail jewelers while maintaining the level of accountability, structure, and operational insight that drives results. It also strengthens internal leadership across coaching development, operations, and client delivery.
“As more retail jewelers look for focused guidance to improve performance, we’ve continued to expand our team with experienced professionals who understand both the industry and the discipline of coaching,” said Becka Johnson Kibby, CEO of Edge Retail Academy. “These additions strengthen our ability to support clients with deeper expertise and practical guidance.”
New Leadership Appointment
Ellen Gardner, VP, Business Coaching
Ellen Gardner joins Edge Retail Academy with more than 25 years of business consulting and coaching experience, including ownership of multiple businesses. She has led national training programs focused on scaling, forecasting, and return on investment, and is known for helping owners build stronger, more disciplined businesses.
Read Ellen Gardner’s full bio
Internal Leadership Promotions
Jennifer Motes, Senior Director, Coach Development
Jennifer Motes has been promoted to Senior Director of Coach Development following her role as a business coach with Edge Retail Academy. She brings more than 30 years of experience in the retail jewelry industry, including store ownership, multi-store oversight, merchandising strategy, and building high-performing teams.
Read Jennifer Motes' full bio
Mona Lisa Shaffer, Director, Business Coaching Operations
Mona Lisa Shaffer has been promoted to Director of Business Coaching Operations following eight years as a Senior Business Coach with Edge Retail Academy. She brings more than 30 years of experience in the retail jewelry industry, with deep expertise in leadership, sales performance, team development, and inventory optimization.
Read Mona Lisa Shaffer’s full bio
New Business Coach
Cindi Haddad Drew, Business Coach
Cindi Haddad Drew joins Edge Retail Academy with more than 40 years of experience in the jewelry industry, including owning and operating her own retail store. As a former client of Edge Retail Academy, she successfully refined her operations and transitioned to a remote ownership model. She now brings that experience to help other retail jewelers improve performance and build more sustainable businesses.
Read Cindi Haddad Drew’s full bio
What This Means for Retail Jewelers
This expansion adds strength across coaching leadership, coach development, operations, and client-facing support. Together, these roles help Edge Retail Academy scale its programs while maintaining a disciplined, results-focused approach to business improvement.
For retail jewelers, that translates into clearer guidance, stronger accountability, and more practical support across the areas that matter most: inventory, sales performance, team development, financial results, and long-term planning.
Edge Retail Academy’s coaching team brings experience across every part of the retail jewelry business, from day-to-day operations to strategic decision-making.
As the business continues to grow, the focus remains consistent: helping retail jewelers make better decisions, execute more effectively, and build stronger, more profitable businesses over time.
Find the Right Business Coaching Approach for Your Store
Business coaching at Edge Retail Academy is built around your store, your goals, and the level of support you need.
From one-on-one coaching to group sessions, each option is designed to help retail jewelers improve performance and move forward with clarity.
Explore Business Coaching Options